Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 2)

Administered by Department of Defence

Legislation au F2005B01506 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 2)

I, MALCOLM THOMAS BROUGH, Minister for Employment Services, for the Minister for Defence, make this Determination under subsection 52 (1) of the Defence Act 1903.

Dated 17 May 2004

MALCOLM BROUGH

Minister for Employment Services

for the Minister for Defence

 

1 Name of Determination

  This Determination is the Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 2).

2 Commencement

  This Determination commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law and Other Matters) Act 2004.

3 Amendment of Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Determination

  Schedule 1 amends the Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Determination.

Schedule 1 Amendments

(section 3)

 

[1] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of Authority

insert

base amount means:

 (a) for a splitting agreement  the base amount specified in, or calculated under, the agreement; or

 (b) for a splitting order  the amount allocated under subsection 90MT (4) of the Family Law Act 1975.

[2] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of Commissioner

insert

Defence Act” means the Defence Act 1903.

[3] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of “effective service

insert

“family law value” means the amount determined in accordance with regulations under the Family Law Act 1975 that apply for paragraph 90MT (2) (a) of that Act.  In applying those regulations, the relevant date is taken to be the date on which the operative time occurs.

Note   The amount is determined by applying those regulations, whether or not an order has been made under subsection 90MT (1) of the Family Law Act 1975.

[4] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of member

insert

member spouse has the same meaning as in Part VIIIB of the Family Law Act 1975.

[5] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of non-effective service

insert

non-member spouse has the same meaning as in Part VIIIB of the Family Law Act 1975.

operative time, for a splitting agreement or splitting order, means the time that is the operative time for Part VIIIB of the Family Law Act 1975 in relation to a payment split under the agreement or order.

[6] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of pay period

insert

payment split has the same meaning as in Part VIIIB of the Family Law Act 1975.

[7] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of recipient member

insert

scheme value has the meaning given by clause 14.

[8] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of SIS Act

insert

“SIS Regulations” means the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994.

splitting agreement means:

 (a) a superannuation agreement (within the meaning of Part VIIIB of the Family Law Act 1975); or

 (b) a flag lifting agreement (within the meaning of Part VIIIB of the Family Law Act 1975) that provides for a payment split.

splitting order has the same meaning as in Part VIIIB of the Family Law Act 1975.

splitting percentage means:

 (a) for a splitting agreement — the percentage specified in the agreement under subparagraph 90MJ (1) (c) (iii) of the Family Law Act 1975; or

 (b) for a splitting order — the percentage specified in the order under subparagraph 90MT (1) (b) (i) of the Family Law Act 1975.

[9] Subclause 3 (1), after definition of surcharge deduction amount

insert

transfer amount means:

 (a) if a splitting percentage applies — the amount calculated by multiplying the splitting percentage by the greater of:

 (i) the family law value; and

 (ii) the scheme value; or

 (b) if a base amount applies and the scheme value is not more than the family law value — the base amount; or

 (c) if a base amount applies and the scheme value is more than the family law value — the amount calculated using the formula:

[10] Paragraph 6 (2) (b)

omit

Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994

insert

SIS Regulations

[11] Paragraph 6 (6) (a)

omit

workforce;

insert

workforce; or

[12] Paragraph 6 (6) (b)

omit

invalidity;

insert

invalidity; or

[13] Paragraph 6 (6) (c)

omit

[14] Paragraph 6 (6) (e)

substitute

 (e) the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority determines that the person satisfies a condition of release on a compassionate ground under subregulation 6.19A (2) of the SIS Regulations; or

 (f) the Authority is satisfied the person is in severe financial hardship within the meaning of subregulation 6.01 (5) of the SIS Regulations.

[15] After subclause 6 (6)

insert

 (6A) An amount that becomes payable under paragraph (6) (e) or (f) is limited to so much of the benefit as is necessary to meet the expenses that give rise to the compassionate grounds or as is necessary to alleviate financial hardship.

 (6B) If only part of a benefit payable under subclause (6) is payable because of subclause (6A), that part may be reduced by part of the surcharge deduction amount before it is paid as a lump sum if the Authority considers that there may be insufficient benefit remaining unpaid to pay the surcharge deduction amount.

[16] Subparagraph 6 (7) (a) (i)

omit

regulations under the SIS Act;

insert

the SIS Regulations; or

[17] After clause 13

insert

 Scheme value

14.  For the definition of scheme value the scheme value in relation to a member spouse is determined as follows:

 

Step 1

Identify the methodology and factors set out in regulations made for section 90MT of the Family Law Act 1975 that would be used to determine the family law value in relation to the member spouse in accordance with that section as if that section applied in relation to the member spouse.

Note   The family law value is determined in accordance with the Family Law (Superannuation) Regulations 2001 that are made for paragraph 90MT (2) (a) of the Family Law Act 1975. The process of determining the family law value may include reliance on methodology and factors approved by the Attorney-General under subsection 90MT (3) of that Act.

Step 2

Substitute the factors with factors nominated by an actuary for this clause.

Step 3

Use the methodology identified in step 1, and the factors substituted in step 2, to determine the scheme value in relation to the member spouse.

 Reduction of productivity superannuation benefit

15. (1) For subsection 52 (5) of the Defence Act, this clause applies to a productivity superannuation benefit in respect of the original interest if the benefit becomes payable at a time after the operative time.

 (2) The amount to which the productivity benefit payable to the member spouse after the operative time is to be reduced is to be worked out in accordance with the benefit reduction methodology developed and maintained by an actuary for this clause.

 

Overview

The Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 2) was enacted under the Defence Act 1903 to address the need for amendments in the Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Determination, particularly in relation to superannuation payments under the Family Law Act 1975. This Determination was made by Malcolm Brough, the Minister for Employment Services, on behalf of the Minister for Defence. The policy objective is to ensure that the calculation and payment of superannuation benefits are accurately aligned with family law provisions and regulatory requirements, thereby providing clarity and consistency in the distribution of benefits among military personnel and their spouses. The amendments introduced by this Determination include the incorporation of new definitions and adjustments to existing provisions, facilitating the correct application of family law principles to superannuation benefits. The Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 2) commenced on the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law and Other Matters) Act 2004. The amendments refine the definitions and conditions under which productivity benefits are calculated and paid, particularly focusing on the interaction between superannuation and family law. By inserting new terms such as "base amount," "family law value," "member spouse," and "scheme value," and by amending existing terms, the Determination aims to ensure precise and fair superannuation benefit distribution. The amendments also address specific circumstances under which benefits may be reduced or withheld, ensuring alignment with regulatory frameworks and compassionate or financial hardship considerations.

Scope and Application

The Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 2) pertains to the amendment of the Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Determination and applies to members of the Australian Defence Force who have accrued a productivity superannuation benefit. This legislative instrument is enacted under the authority of the Defence Act 1903 and is applicable to the Commonwealth jurisdiction. The primary focus of the Determination is to modify the criteria and calculations associated with the productivity benefit paid to members of the Defence Force, particularly in relation to the timing of payments and the reduction methodologies when such benefits are payable to a member's spouse following a specified operative time. The Determination also clarifies certain terms and incorporates references to the Family Law Act 1975 and the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 to ensure consistency and accuracy in the calculation of benefits. Any further specifications or details may be provided through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Amendment Determination 2004 (No. 2) primarily amends the Defence Force (Superannuation) (Productivity Benefit) Determination. It introduces new definitions and modifies existing clauses to align with changes in the Family Law Act 1975 and the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law and Other Matters) Act 2004. For example, it defines new terms such as "base amount," "family law value," "member spouse," and "operative time" to better align the superannuation provisions with family law considerations (sections 1 and 3). Furthermore, it adjusts the conditions under which certain superannuation benefits can be paid, particularly in cases involving splitting agreements or orders (subclauses 6(6) and 6(7)). The Determination imposes specific obligations on parties involved in the administration and calculation of productivity superannuation benefits. It mandates the use of specified methodologies and factors for determining values such as the "family law value" and "scheme value" (subclause 14). Additionally, it requires the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 to be adhered to when calculating these values. It also details the circumstances under which benefits can be paid, such as in cases of compassionate grounds or severe financial hardship, and specifies how these benefits should be calculated and limited (subclause 6(6A) and (6B)). Violators of the provisions set out in this Determination may face various consequences. While the Determination itself does not explicitly detail criminal or civil penalties, it is enacted under the authority of the Defence Act 1903, which may impose penalties for non-compliance with Defence-related legislation. These penalties could include fines, imprisonment, or other sanctions as prescribed by the Defence Act or related legislation. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional provisions in the relevant Acts.

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