Coronavirus: keeping you informed

For each of the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years, the Commonwealth Government allowed eligible people affected by the impacts of the coronavirus, temporary early access to their super of up to $10,000.

As of 1 January 2021, you can no longer apply for this temporary early release of super.

The temporary reduction in minimum pension drawdown rates introduced by the Federal Government in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will end on 30 June 2023. Minimum rates will return to the default amounts as of 1 July.

If you have an RI Allocated Pension, RI Term Allocated Pension, or Transition to Retirement Pension account, this change may impact you.

Higher inflation and rising interest rates had a negative impact on returns for most asset classes over the past financial year.

If you have an account with us, you may already be covered for Death, Total and Permanent Disablement or Salary Continuance Insurance. Find out how COVID-19 may impact your cover.

COVID-19 vaccinations

Your insurance with GESB won’t be impacted if you receive your COVID-19 vaccination(s). Find out more about COVID-19 vaccinations and your insurance.

If you’re an Australian Defence Force reservist on active service  

Find out more about your insurance with us, if you’ve been deployed to assist with the COVID-19 response in Australia.

We’ve heard from members who have received unsolicited calls about super or insurance, including offers to help them access their super early, due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

GESB will never call you to ask you for personal or financial information, nor will we ask you for payment.

If you’re concerned you may have received a fraudulent call, email or text, check with us directly on 13 43 72.

Our Retirement planning seminars and Transition to retirement seminars are now back up and running. Held monthly at the City of Perth Library, these seminars are a great way to help you learn more about your super and start planning for your retirement.

To view our event calendar and register for one of our upcoming seminars, visit our seminar registration page. Alternatively, you might like to join one of our regular webinars.

We'd like to assure you that the City of Perth Library and our team will be adhering to any COVID-19 restrictions that apply at the time of the seminar.

We look forward to welcoming you to a seminar soon!

If you want to update your contact details, the quickest way to do this is by using Member Online. Simply log in, go to the ‘Personal details’ page and then click the ‘update’ link in the relevant section. Once you’ve changed the relevant details, click the ‘Continue’ button and your details will be updated immediately.

You can also download and complete the relevant form and return it to us. We aim to process your request within 10 working days of receiving your form and all necessary information. However, there are circumstances where it may take us longer.

If you need help, see our How to change your details page. You can also call us on 13 43 72 between 7.30am and 5.30pm (AWST), Monday to Friday.

Before changing your investment plan, we encourage you to read our article on investing during market volatility to help you make an informed decision.

If you would like to switch your investment plan, the quickest way to do this is by using Member Online. You can also download and complete the relevant form for your account.

Please note the unit price on the effective date of your investment switch will be applied to the transaction. This may be different to the unit price displayed on the website today.

To check your current account balance, simply log into Member Online using your member number and password to log in. You can find your member number on your member statement or on any correspondence you’ve received from us.

If you’ve forgotten your Member Online password, click the 'Forgotten your password' link on the login page to reset it. Once you’ve logged into Member Online, you’ll see your account balance displayed on the dashboard.

If you need help, please see our Member Online help guide or call us on 13 43 72 between 7.30am and 5.30pm (AWST), Monday to Friday.

If you’re a member of GESB Super, West State Super or Gold State Super, here’s where you can learn more about:

• When can you access your super
• Ways to take your super money
• Accessing your super early

If you’re one of our Retirement Income members, here’s how you can:

• Withdraw a lump sum from your RI Allocated Pension account
• Make changes to your pension payments

You can also download and complete the relevant Benefit access form for your account. We aim to process your request within 10 working days of receiving your form and all necessary information for GESB Super, West State Super and Retirement Income Pension payments, and within 20 working days for Gold State Super payments. However, there are circumstances where it may take us longer to process.