Your contribution rate can make a significant difference to your final CSS benefit. So it is important that you understand your contribution rights and options.
Two types of personal member contributions are available in CSS:
- Basic contributions
- Supplementary contributions
Scheme earning rates are applied to your basic and supplementary contributions. Your scheme earning rates may be positive or negative.
Basic contributions
In CSS, you choose to contribute 5% of your salary or none of your salary at all (which means you elect a ‘zero per cent’ basic contribution rate). Your basic contributions form the basis of most CSS benefit calculations which may apply to your situation.
Supplementary contributions
You can also choose to pay supplementary contributions which do not have to be in whole percentage rates (eg you contribute 6.5%). No upper limit exists on supplementary contributions and you can change your contribution rate at any time.
You can contribute via your salary or BPAY; you will need your Access Number to contribute via BPAY. However, if you elect a zero (0%) basic contribution rate you must pay any supplementary contributions you wish to make via BPAY.
Find out more about using BPAY to contribute to your CSS.
Change my contribution rate
Ask your personnel section to make your change.
You can provide your completed to them or may be able to simply email your instruction.
Please ask your personnel section which method they prefer.
Change to part-time employment
You must continue to contribute to CSS. However, if you are under age 55 and change to temporary part time employment, you cannot remain a member and a resignation benefit will be paid to you. If you are age 55 or older and change to temporary part time, an age retirement benefit will be paid to you.
Must I contribute when on leave?
It depends on your leave type. You may be required to keep contributing. To learn more please read our Leave without pay factsheet [PDF: 156 KB].