Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Asset-tested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019

Administered by Department of Veterans' Affairs

Legislation au F2019L00846 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

Repatriation Commission

 

 

 

Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Assettested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019

 

Instrument 2019 No. R31

 

made under subsection 52BAB(4) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

 

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date:    1 January 2020

Includes amendments up to: F2020L00180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Assettested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 January 2020 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

Contents

1 Name of Determination........................................1

3 Authority.................................................1

4 Definitions................................................1

5 Surrender value method........................................2

6 Death benefit method…………………………………………,,,,,,,..................................................…………….…….3

 

Endnotes 5

Endnote 1—About the endnotes 5

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 6

Endnote 3—Legislation history 7

Endnote 4—Amendment history 8

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Asset‑tested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under subsection 52BAB(4) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.

4  Definitions

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:

(a) assettested income stream (lifetime) (see section 5J(1) of the Act);

(b) assessment day (see subsections 52BAB(6) and (7) of the Act);

(c) governing rules (see subsection 5J(1) of the Act).

  In this instrument:

access amount, for a particular day (the access day) for an assettested income stream (lifetime), means the sum of:

 (a) the maximum amount that would have been payable for the income stream, as determined by the contract or governing rules for the provision of the income stream, if the income stream had been commuted on the assessment day for the income stream; and

 (b) any instalments paid for the income stream after the assessment day and before the access day.

Act means the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.

death benefit, for a particular day for an assettested income stream (lifetime), means the maximum commutation amount that would be payable for the income stream, as determined by the contract or governing rules for the provision of the income stream, if the person, or persons, eligible to receive the income stream died on that day.

death benefit comparison value has the meaning given by subsection 6(3) of this instrument.

first half of the life expectancy period, for an asset-tested income stream (lifetime), means the number of days in the period:

 (a) starting on the assessment day for the income stream; and

 (b) ending when the number of days equal to the life expectancy period for the income stream divided by 2, and rounded down to the nearest whole number, have passed.

life expectancy period, for an assettested income stream (lifetime), means the number of days worked out by:

 (a) using the Life Tables to calculate the number of days, at the assessment day, in the life expectancy of:

 (i) the person eligible to receive the income stream; or

 (ii) for a joint income stream—the eldest of those eligible to receive the income stream; and

 (b) rounding that number of days down to the nearest whole number of years; and

 (c) converting those years to a number of days, assuming 365 days in a year.

Life Tables means:

(a)   if a person’s assessment day for an asset-tested income stream (lifetime) is before 1 January 2020—the Australian Life Tables 20102012 published by the Australian Government Actuary; or

(b)   if a person’s assessment day for an asset-tested income stream (lifetime) is on or after 1 January 2020—the Australian Life Tables 2015-17 published by the Australian Government Actuary.

surrender comparison value has the meaning given by subsection 5(3) of this instrument.

surrender value, for a particular day for an assettested income stream (lifetime), means the maximum commutation amount that would be payable for the income stream, as determined by the contract or governing rules for the provision of the income stream, if the person, or persons, eligible to receive the income stream did not die on that day.

5  Surrender value method

 (1) This section sets out a method for working out the value of an assettested income stream (lifetime) by reference to the surrender value of the income stream.

 (2) The value of a person’s assettested income stream (lifetime) on a particular day is the highest value for that day or any later day worked out using the following method statement.

Method statement

Step 1. Determine the surrender value of the assettested income stream (lifetime) for the day.

Step 2. Compare the surrender value with the surrender comparison value of the income stream for the day (see subsection (3)).

Step 3. The value of the income stream for the day is:

 (a) if the surrender value is more than the surrender comparison value and the income stream is not a joint income stream—the surrender value; or

 (b) if the surrender value is more than the surrender comparison value and the income stream is a joint income stream—the surrender value multiplied by the proportion of the income stream attributable to the person on that day; or

 (c) if the surrender value is less than or equal to the surrender comparison value—nil.

 (3) The surrender comparison value of an assettested income stream (lifetime) is:

 (a) for a day during the 14 day period that begins on the assessment day for the income stream—the access amount for the day;

 (b) for any other day:

 (i) unless subparagraph (ii) applies—the amount worked out for the day under subsection (4); or

 (ii) if the amount worked out for the day under subsection (4) is less than or equal to zero—nil.

 (4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), the amount for a day (the access day) is worked out using the following formula:

  

where:

previously commuted amount means the sum of any amounts commuted from the income stream before the access day.

remaining life expectancy means the number of days remaining in the life expectancy period for the income stream after subtracting the number of days in the period:

 (a) starting on the assessment day for the income stream; and

 (b) ending on the access day.

6  Death benefit method

 (1) This section sets out a method for working out the value of an assettested income stream (lifetime) by reference to the death benefit of the income stream.

 (2) The value of a person’s assettested income stream (lifetime) on a particular day is the highest value for that day or any later day worked out using the following method statement.

Method statement

Step 1. Determine the death benefit of the assettested income stream (lifetime) for the day.

Step 2. Compare the death benefit with the death benefit comparison value of the income stream for the day (see subsection (3)).

Step 3. The value of the income stream for the day is:

 (a) if the death benefit is more than the death benefit comparison value and the income stream is not a joint income stream—the death benefit; or

 (b) if the death benefit is more than the death benefit comparison value and the income stream is a joint income stream—the death benefit multiplied by the proportion of the income stream attributable to the person on that day; or

 (c) if the death benefit is less than or equal to the death benefit comparison value—nil.

 (3) The death benefit comparison value of an assettested income stream (lifetime) is:

 (a) for a day within the first half of the life expectancy period for the income stream—the access amount for the day;

 (b) for any other day:

 (i) unless subparagraph (ii) applies—the amount worked out for the day under subsection (4); or

 (ii) if the amount worked out for the day under subsection (4) is less than or equal to zero—nil.

 (4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), the amount for a day (the access day) is worked out using the following formula:

  

where:

previously commuted amount means the sum of any amounts commuted from the income stream before the access day.

remaining life expectancy means the number of days remaining in the life expectancy period for the income stream after subtracting the number of days in the period:

 (a) starting on the assessment day for the income stream; and

 (b) ending on the access day.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

    /subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

    effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

    effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

    cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

    commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Assettested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019

20 Jun 2019

(F2019L00846)

1 Jul 2019

Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Assettested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Amendment Determination 2020

28 Feb 2020

(F2020L00180)

1 Jan 2020

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 2…………………………..…………….

s 4…………………………………………

rep LA s 48D

F2020L00180

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Veterans' Entitlements (Value of Asset-tested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019 was made under subsection 52BAB(4) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 by the Repatriation Commission. This legislative instrument aims to provide a method for determining the value of an asset-tested income stream (lifetime) by referencing the surrender value or the death benefit of the income stream. This was enacted to address the need for a clear and consistent approach to valuing lifetime income streams for the purposes of assessing veterans' entitlements. The determination provides two methods: the surrender value method and the death benefit method, each with specific criteria and calculations to ascertain the value of an asset-tested income stream on any given day.

Scope and Application

The Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Asset-tested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019 is a legislative instrument made under subsection 52BAB(4) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. This Determination applies to the value of asset-tested income streams (lifetime) for veterans, providing a method for calculating their value for the purposes of determining veterans' entitlements. The Act applies to veterans and their dependents who are eligible for asset-tested income streams. The Determination provides two methods for calculating the value of such income streams: the surrender value method and the death benefit method. These methods take into account the surrender value and death benefit of the income stream, respectively, and are used to determine the highest value of the income stream for a particular day or any later day. The Determination applies on a national level, and its provisions are effective from 1 July 2019, with amendments taking effect from 1 January 2020. This Determination extends the application of the Act by providing specific methods for calculating the value of asset-tested income streams, which is essential for the proper administration of veterans' entitlements.

Key Provisions

The Veterans’ Entitlements (Value of Asset-tested Income Streams (Lifetime)) Determination 2019 outlines two distinct methods for determining the value of an asset-tested income stream (lifetime): the surrender value method and the death benefit method. These methods are detailed in sections 5 and 6 of the Determination respectively. The surrender value method (section 5) involves determining the surrender value of the income stream and comparing it with a surrender comparison value, while the death benefit method (section 6) involves determining the death benefit of the income stream and comparing it with a death benefit comparison value. The value of the income stream is the higher of the values obtained through these methods on any particular day. The Determination imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, particularly those seeking to determine the value of an asset-tested income stream for the purposes of veterans' entitlements. These obligations include accurately calculating the surrender value or death benefit of the income stream and comparing it to the appropriate comparison value. The methods provided in the Determination must be strictly followed to ensure that the value of the income stream is correctly determined. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Determination may result in legal consequences. Although the Determination itself does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the underlying Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 can lead to significant penalties. Under section 52 of the Act, a person who provides false or misleading information in relation to a veterans' entitlement can be subject to a penalty of up to 10,000 penalty units, which equates to a substantial financial penalty. Furthermore, section 52A of the Act states that a person who contravenes certain sections of the Act can be prosecuted, leading to both criminal and civil penalties. The maximum penalty for a criminal conviction can be up to 10,000 penalty units and/or imprisonment for five years. Civil penalties may also be imposed, which can further include costs and damages. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the provisions of the Determination and the underlying Act.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.