Contributions

Contributions to your superannuation are made in several ways:

  1. your fortnightly personal contributions (‘member component’)
  2. a fortnightly payment by your employer (‘productivity component’)
  3. an additional ‘employer-financed component’ paid at the time you exit the PSS and claim a benefit
  4. amounts you transfer into the PSS
  5. Super Co-contributions paid by the Australian Government.

Use this area to see how your contributions work, what your employer contributes and information about transferring money into the PSS from other super funds.

Your contributions

In most cases, you can choose how much super you contribute into the PSS.

You have the flexibility to choose a contribution rate of between 2% and 10% of your salary (as a whole percentage). Or you can choose not to contribute at all. We understand that your financial needs can vary and the PSS allows you to change your contribution rate at any time.

How much you choose to contribute will determine the amount your employer will contribute on your behalf.
Simply, the more you contribute, the more your employer contributes.

For example, if you contribute 2%, your employer will make a 13% contribution to your PSS account. The combination of these two amounts makes up the Total Benefit Multiple of 0.15 p.a.

If you contribute 10% and you have been a member of the PSS for more than 10 years, your employer will contribute 21% of your superannuation salary making up the Total Benefit Multiple of 0.31 p.a.

Of course, there are some rules you need to consider. They are the ten-year rule and Maximum Benefit Limits.
Now is a great time to check if you are contributing at the right rate for your needs. The i-Estimator is a handy online tool that enables you to estimate your future super benefits. You will need to have your Access Number* to use the i-Estimator.

*If you do not have an Access Number or it has expired, call us on 1300 000 377 to receive one now.

If you would like to change your contribution rate, please complete the PSS Change my Super Contribution Rate form and send to your personnel section. You may also be able to change your contribution rate via email. Check with your personnel section to see which method they prefer.

Some special provisions apply to persons on certain categories of leave without pay (LWOP). For more information see The facts about Leave Without Pay (LWOP)

For more information see:

Your super salary 

Your ‘super salary’ is the amount you’ve agreed to be paid by your employer through a certified agreement or Australian Workplace Agreement. If you don’t have an agreement, it’s your basic salary plus any recognised allowances. Additional payment such as overtime, accommodation or travel are not counted.

Please contact your personnel section if you have any questions about your super salary.

Employer contributions

Your employer makes contributions to your account in two different ways:

  1. A fortnightly contribution – the productivity component, and
  2. An employer component that is calculated when you leave the PSS and claim a benefit.

Your productivity component is paid fortnightly and the amount is based on your superannuation salary. Productivity contributions are designed to average 3% for all workers.

Your employer component is a notional amount that is paid to you when you leave the PSS and claim a benefit. It is the difference between your total equity in the PSS and the sum of your member and productivity components.

For more information, see The facts about contributing to the PSS.

Australian Government Super Co-contribution

In some cases, the Government will make a contribution for people on incomes up to $60,342 per annum.

To qualify for the Super Co-Contribution, you must make a personal, after-tax contribution to your super account. The government will then contribute up to $1.50 for each $1 you contribute, up to a maximum of $1,500.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) determines if you are eligible to receive the Super Co-Contribution, based on your tax return.

If you are eligible, the ATO will send the amount straight to us.

For more information see The facts about PSS Super Co-contribution or go to the Australian Tax Office website, www.ato.gov.au

Transfer from other funds

If you have money invested in other super funds, you may consider rolling it over into the PSS.

Consolidating your super with one fund can save you time and money managing multiple accounts.

For more information see The facts about rolling money into the PSS.

Contributions while on leave

If you go on leave, contributions may or may not be payable. For more information see The facts about leave without pay.

Full-time to part-time employment

If you change from full-time to part-time employment there is no effect on your contribution rate until your next birthday.

For more information see The facts about changing from full-time to part-time or the PSS Super Book.

More information: