How do I get a superannuation compliance letter?
A superannuation compliance letter is a document that details whether a superannuation fund is legally compliant. This article will discuss the role and importance of a superannuation compliance letter and how to obtain one.
What is a superannuation compliance letter?
A superannuation compliance letter, also known as a General Compliance Certificate, is a document that typically gives employers verification that your superannuation fund is able to accept employer superannuation contributions.
This letter confirms that the superannuation fund is in compliance with the laws and regulations of relevant Australian laws. It confirms details such as:
Fund name
Australian Business Number (ABN)
Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI)
Fund contact details (including phone number and website)
As a note, it is a general document provided by your superannuation fund. This means it won¡¯t include any specific details relating to a super policy. These details will need to be provided separately to the employer. Every fund that complies with the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 will be able to provide this letter.
Why might you need a superannuation compliance letter?
A superannuation compliance letter is vital in confirming the registration and lawful compliance of a superannuation fund. Providing and obtaining this document offers a sense of reassurance and peace of mind to both an employee and employer. It not only legitimises the fund but also guarantees the safety of superannuation payments. By extension, the employer is assured that they are fulfilling their legal responsibility to make valid superannuation contributions on the employee¡¯s behalf.
There are several circumstances in which a superannuation compliance letter may be required:
Employers setting up a new superannuation fund for their employees: Before sending superannuation contributions to a new account, an employer must ensure that the fund complies with government regulations
Employees providing evidence of their fund¡¯s legitimacy: When starting a new role, an employee may need to send verification of their fund¡¯s legal status
Changing super fund: If an individual is in the process of transferring their funds from one superannuation account to another, the receiving fund may require a compliance letter
Verifying a self-managed super fund (SMSF): In this case, a compliance letter is required from a government agency responsible for superannuation regulation to verify the legal status of the fund
How to get a superannuation compliance letter
A superannuation compliance letter is not necessarily compulsory ¨C but if you are required to provide one to an employer, here are the steps you can take:
Step 1: Identify your super fund
You must first identify your super fund to understand where you can retrieve your compliance letter and how to do so. There are three basic forms of superannuation funds: accumulation funds, defined benefit funds and self-managed super funds.
Step 2: Check the website
A letter of compliance from an accumulation fund or a defined benefit fund will typically be available for download on their websites or by contacting them directly. Many such funds provide self-service forms in which you can input your relevant details. A letter of compliance for your self-managed super fund will need to be obtained from a superannuation government agency, which can be directly consulted.
Step 3: Contact the super fund
If there is no compliance letter available on your accumulation fund or defined benefit fund¡¯s website, you may choose to send an email or contact them via phone to obtain your letter.
If you have a self-managed super fund, you will need to contact your superannuation government agency online or by phone to issue a compliance letter.
Step 4: Provide your information
When requesting a compliance letter or completing a self-service compliance letter, be prepared to provide details such as your employer name, account name or member number with the fund.
Step 5: Send the compliance letter to the relevant party
Once you have received your letter, it can be successfully sent to the relevant party according to your situation.
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