What makes up your CSS benefit

Your CSS benefit is made up of three components:

• A member component – your contributions plus fund earnings
• An employer-financed component – this is worked out when you leave the CSS; and
• A productivity component – a fortnightly contribution made by your employer plus fund earnings.

Any money you have transferred from other super funds or any Super Co-contributions also make up part of your CSS benefit.

Depending on how you leave the CSS (see Withdrawing your super) you may take your benefit as:

• a CPI-indexed and a lump sum
• a combination of a CPI-index pension, a non-indexed pension and a lump sum: or
• a combination of a CPI-indexed pension and a non-indexed pension.

You can use the i-Estimator to estimate your benefit options. You will need an Access Number to use this service.

When you can claim

In general you cannot access your benefit until you reach your preservation age and have permanently retired from the workforce. Your preservation age is based on your date of birth.

Any accrued surcharge debt you may have is recovered when your benefit payment is made.

More information

• Death benefits
• Invalidity benefits
• Preservation of benefits
• Superannuation contributions surcharge
• Tax and your CSS benefit

Forms you may need to request a benefit estimate or apply for a benefit.