Insurance changes from 1 July

From 1 July 2025, insurance changes are coming into effect for GESB Super and West State Super members, including a reduction in premium rates for certain insurances.

We offer three types of insurance through GESB Super and West State Super - Death, Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) and Salary Continuance Insurance (SCI).

Changes to premiums

All premium rates for Death and SCI insurance will decrease, however the premium rates for TPD will either increase or remain unchanged, depending on your age. Whether you see increases, decreases or no change to the total premiums you pay for insurance through your GESB Super or West State Super will depend on the type of insurance(s) you hold, the amount you’re covered for (Amount Insured) and other details.

Changes to SCI sums insured for certain members

If you are on the default Amount Insured of $1,600 per month, this will increase automatically to $2,000 per month.

Due to this change in the amount you’re covered for, your premiums will increase.

We think this is a positive change for members – it means that if you do need to make an SCI claim for an injury or illness that occurred after 1 July 2025, you will have more cover.

However, if the higher Amount Insured does not suit your circumstances, you can opt-out of this increase. If you do this within 60 days of the change (we’ll let you know when it has been applied), we will refund any higher premiums you have paid. You can opt out by contacting us on 13 43 72 or via Live chat

If you have Voluntary Cover in addition to your basic cover, or if you have a default Amount Insured higher than $1,600, there is no change to your Amount Insured.

Waiver of premiums for unpaid parental leave and severe financial hardship

We’ve negotiated premium waivers for eligible members on unpaid parental leave and following the release of super due to severe financial hardship.

You will need to apply to waive your insurance premiums while you’re on unpaid parental leave.

We will automatically apply the premium waiver following the release of funds under financial hardship, if eligible. This waiver can only be applied once.

No longer reducing SCI benefits due to social security payments received

Currently, SCI benefit payments are reduced by the amount of any social security payments you also received.

For SCI claims where the Date of Disability is 1 July 2025, social security payments will not reduce the SCI benefit payment you receive.

Other changes

Other changes have been made that we see as positive for members overall, including:

• Increasing maximum cover limits on TPD and SCI
• Improvements to the definition of Pre-Disability Income for those claiming SCI
• An option to elect to retain SCI cover in your GESB account when no Superannuation Guarantee contributions are being received
• Changing the Terminal Illness definition to increase the amount paid in certain circumstances

For details, read the Significant Event Notification.