Author: Dan Blackman

Dan is Australia's leading superannuation expert in the Commonwealth and military defined benefit schemes. He has over 12 years of experience providing information and administration services in relation to the defined benefit superannuation schemes available to employees of the Commonwealth, including Australian Public Servants (APS) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. In that time, he has personally assisted many thousands of PSS, CSS, DFRDB and MSBS (MilitarySuper) members to understand their defined benefit entitlements. Dan co-founded Super Info in 2016 with the intention of increasing the availability and accessibility of factually correct information about the defined benefit superannuation schemes for APS and ADF employees. Before co-founding Super Info, Dan had worked for many years at the Commonwealth Superannuation Administration (ComSuper) and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) in a variety of customer advisory services and senior management roles.

March 25, 2020 Dan Blackman COVID-19, Superannuation

COVID-19: Superannuation changes

Eligible individuals impacted by COVID-19 able to access up to $20,000 from their superannuation between April and September 2020

December 17, 2019March 28, 2020 Dan Blackman Superannuation

Regulator “heatmap” flags Australian Government schemes for high fees

Two of the Federal government's newest superannuation funds have been flagged for high fees according to the first MySuper 'heatmap' released last month by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA).

December 8, 2019December 8, 2019 Dan Blackman Superannuation

Senate to decide on amnesty for $2.8 billion superannuation cheats

Australian Parliament is debating draft laws giving eligible employers an amnesty to pay billions of dollars worth of overdue employee superannuation guarantee liabilities.

December 2, 2019December 30, 2019 Dan Blackman Superannuation

Government moves to scrap choice of fund restrictions in enterprise agreements

The federal government has introduced a Bill amending Superannuation Guarantee legislation to prevent employers from mandating superannuation fund membership through enterprise agreements and workplace determinations.

December 1, 2019December 13, 2019 Dan Blackman Family Law, Pensions, Superannuation

Superannuation splitting finally on the cards for de facto couples in Western Australia

Federal government introduces Bill to extend superannuation splitting to de facto couples in Western Australia.

November 27, 2019December 30, 2019 Dan Blackman Family Law, Superannuation

Family Law: valuing defined superannuation benefit interests

We examine a real-life PSS example to show the effects of age and gender on the Family Law Value.

June 28, 2018December 13, 2019 Dan Blackman Superannuation

Notional defined benefit contributions

Do you understand how your defined benefit contributions count towards your concessional contributions cap? If not, read on.

November 2, 2017September 30, 2019 Dan Blackman Superannuation

Another tax surprise for defined benefit members…

Be aware of notional defined benefit contributions and your concessional contributions cap. Super Info online tool makes estimating these easier.

October 27, 2017December 13, 2019 Dan Blackman Superannuation

Total super over $1.6m… Watch out!

From 1 July 2017, the annual limit on after-tax contributions dropped to $100,000 for most people and zero for individuals with total super balances of $1.6 million or more.

April 29, 2017December 13, 2019 Dan Blackman Superannuation

Concessional contributions from July 2017

The limit on low tax super contributions is dropping to $25,000 for everyone from 1 July 2017. Are you ready for it?

PSS

The Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) was established on 1-Jul-1990 by the Superannuation Act 1990 and the Public Sector Superannuation Trust Deed. The scheme has been closed to new members since 1-Jul-2005.

MilitarySuper

The Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS / MilitarySuper) was established on 1-Oct-1991 by the Military Superannuation and Benefits Act 1991 and the Military Superannuation and Benefits Trust Deed. The scheme has been closed to new members since 1-Jul-2016.

CSS

The Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) was established on 1-Jul-1976 by the Superannuation Act 1976 and associated regulations. It has been closed to new members since 1-Jul-1990.

DFRDB

The Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme (DFRDB) was established on 1-Oct-1972 by the Defence Force Superannuation and Death Benefits Act 1973 and associated regulations. It has been closed to new members since 1-Oct-1991.