Claiming a superannuation death benefit guide and form
Download our guide and form for more information on claiming a death benefit.
Download the guide and formmaking a death claim
Losing someone you love is hard. Dealing with money matters like super benefits can make it harder. You don't have to do this alone. We're here to help and we'll guide you step by step.
what is a death benefit and what does it include?
A death benefit is money paid from a member's super account after they die. It can include:
The member's super balance, and
Money from any insurance held in their HESTA account
Please note: A super death benefit does not always go to the estate. Even if there is a Will, we must check who can receive the money by law.
Super law has strict rules about who can be paid. As Trustee, we must follow these rules and check each claim.
Who can we make a payment to?
We can only pay a death benefit to:
- an eligible dependant, or
- the legal personal representative (LPR) of the estate (the executor or administrator).
Who is an eligible dependant?
A dependant may include:
- a spouse (includes same-sex and de facto partners)
- a child
- a person who relied on the member for money at the time of death
- a person in a interdependent relationship with the member at the time of death.
If there are no eligible dependants or LPR, we may:
- pay the money to another person, or
- send it to the ATO.
here's how making a claim will work
Your case manager will help you through each step in the claims process.
We must act in the best financial interests of our members and their beneficiaries. All claims are assessed on a fair and reasonable basis.
Before lodging your claim, you should ensure you've got certified copies of the member's:
Death certificate
Proof of age (such as a passport, driver licence, or proof of aged card).
We usually need these documents to follow the law and prevent fraud.
The first step is to let us know your loved one has passed away. The quickest way to tell us is online.
We’ll need some basic details to locate the member’s account, such as their:
- member number
- full name and date of birth
- date of death and last known address
- your contact details.
Once you notify us, we'll assign you a dedicated case manager. They will explain what you need.
Send us all the right documents before you lodge your claim. This helps us pay the claim faster.
See the Claiming a superannuation death benefit guide and form (PDF) for more information and the documents you need to lodge your claim.
If any details are wrong, or there are many people to pay, or the family setup is complex, it may take longer.
Tips to avoid delays with your claim
- List all people who may receive the benefit, with current contact details.
- Make sure all details are correct.
- Send certified or signed documents.
- Include all legal papers and documents about the Will.
- Use correct legal names for everyone.
Once we get your completed form and all documents, we'll review the claim. If there is more than one person to pay, we'll decide how much each person gets.
We aim to assess claims as quickly as possible.
We'll send our decision to you in writing. We'll explain the next steps.
In some cases, we give 28 days for people to agree or object. If everyone agrees and no one objects, we make the payment.
Once the claim is done, we'll arrange payment.
Payment will be made:
- to the person's bank account, or
- as a retirement income stream, if they are eligible.
We aim to pay claims as soon as we can. We'll let you know if we need more time.
 |
We take all measures to resolve all claims as quickly as possible. Depending on the number of persons claiming the benefit and how quickly we receive the necessary information to make a decision, it can take approximately 3-6 months to fully assess a claim. For complex cases, involving multiple beneficiaries, it may take longer. |
tax on death benefits
The tax treatment on death benefits depends on whether the recipient is dependant for tax purposes.
| If benefit is paid to: | Will HESTA deduct tax? |
|---|---|
| Dependant (spouse, child under 18, financial or interdependent) | No |
| Non-dependant (including child above 18) | Yes |
Legal Personal Representative |
No |
Visit the ATO website to learn more about tax on super benefits.
Talk to a financial adviser to understand how your tax will be affected if you receive a death benefit.
what if I'm unhappy with the process?
Lodge a complaint with us
If you have a complaint about your claim or the claims process, please contact us to make a complaint.
If you're not happy with our response, you can escalate your complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Visit our Complaints page for more information.
Scenario 1
Susan and John: Live-in relationship
Susan is a HESTA member. She has lived with her spouse John for 18 months. Her three adult children support themselves.
After Susan dies, the Trustee reviews the evidence. The Trustee pays the full death benefit to John. This is because Susan would have kept supporting John if she had lived.
What if Susan had a binding beneficiary nomination?
If Susan had a valid binding beneficiary naming her adult children, the Trustee must follow it. The money would go to her children instead.
Scenario 2
Patricia and Jean: Interdependent relationship
Patricia is a HESTA member. She lives with her sister Jean. They are very close. Patricia is not married and has no children.
Patricia gets a long-term illness. Jean helps care for her.
Sadly, Patricia dies.
The Trustee reviews the evidence. The Trustee sees they had a interdependent relationship. The Trustee pays Jean the full death benefit.
more resources
Get help in your language
If you need an interpreter to help with your claim, you can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) to provide interpreting services.
Get help in your language
Nominating beneficiaries
Nominating a beneficiary helps us decide who should get a member's superannuation death benefit when they die.
More about beneficiaries
Vulnerable Members Policy
See our Vulnerable Members Policy to learn about our commitments and expectations for dealing with members who are experiencing difficulty and need extra care.
Vulnerable Members Policy (PDF)We're here for you
Our team is here to help with questions about the process, an existing death benefit claim, or if you need a supporting hand to start a claim. You can get in touch by calling 1800 813 327 or contacting us.