If you've been made redundant

If you've been made redundant, you're facing a number of important financial decisions, including how best to use your redundancy payout. There are also important considerations about your super. Find out how your super may be impacted and how we can help you plan through this uncertain period.

In the print, media, arts and entertainment industries redundancies are unfortunately a harsh reality of the current working environment.

The redundancy process can be difficult. Along with the stress of contemplating your next career step and finding a new job, you usually have to make many important financial decisions. A lot of these decisions are probably about your redundancy payout. How long will it last, should you invest, or should you pay off debts? But there could also be some important decisions to make about your super.

Your redundancy payment

A genuine redundancy payment is calculated by your employer and is usually based on your salary and years of service. It may include three parts:

• Tax-free amount
• Employment termination payment
• Unused leave and unused long service leave payments

What happens to your super when you leave your employer

If you’re a Media Super member

If you’re currently a Media Super member, your existing super will be unaffected by your redundancy. Fees and costs, your investment choices and investment performance will not be affected.

Death, Total and Permanent Disablement, and Income Protection will continue, provided you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the premiums (subject to conditions). However, Income Protection cover will cease after 12 months of unemployment.

If you belong to your employer’s corporate fund

Some large employers, such as media companies, have corporate funds for their employees. If you leave the company or are made redundant, your entire super balance may be transferred into another plan run by the same administrator. But that doesn’t mean your super will be handled the same.

Make sure you check out the features of your new plan to ensure:

• You are not going to be penalised with higher fees
• Your money has been transferred to an investment option that’s right for your stage of life and your risk comfort level
• You have been provided with the same, or similar, level of insurance cover

Taking control of your super and being in a fund that suits your needs is important to your retirement future. Features that might be important to you are:

• Competitive fees
• Strong investment performance
• Cost-effective, comprehensive insurance cover

You can compare funds and see what’s best for you at moneysmart.gov.au or see how Media Super compares.