Payment of superannuation benefits

There are certain guidelines set out in legislation that restrict who will be paid superannuation benefits, but in general, payment will be made to a dependant(s) which can be one or more of the following:

a spouse (including de facto spouse)
a child or children
person(s) who were dependent at the time of death
where none of the above exist, to the deceased's estate

Where the benefit is paid to the deceased's estate, it will be distributed in accordance with the provisions of the deceased's Will.

In the event of there being no Will, the deceased's estate will be administered in line with the Succession Act 1981 (PDF, 507 KB).

The Public Trustee has more information on wills and deceased estates.

Last updated July 12, 2005