Frequently asked questions

• When will I receive my new client number?

  We will send you a new member number before Monday 26 September 2022. This will replace your Energy Super client ID and will link your accounts together and will also be the number you use to log in to Brighter Super Member Online.

  We will include instructions on how to register for Brighter Super Member Online with your new member number.

  What you previously referred to as a member number will now be referred to as your account number/s, and these numbers will not be changing.

• When will I receive my new BPAY details?

  Your new BPAY details can be viewed in Brighter Super Member Online from Monday 26 September 2022.

  Your last opportunity to make a BPAY payment before the suspension period is before 5.00 pm AEST on Monday 12 September 2022.

  Any payments made to the current BPAY code after this date will bounce and will be returned to your bank account.

• Changing to a different fund identifier number – what does it mean?

  From Monday 19 September 2022, we will operate under a new name and brand, with a different Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI). This number is used in transactions such as employer contributions and rollovers.

  The new USI for Brighter Super is QLG0001AU.

  You do not need to notify your employer of this change – we will communicate this change to all employers who pay contributions to us on members' behalf.

• When can I withdraw from my super?

  We will not be processing benefit payments between Wednesday 14 September 2022 and Sunday 25 September 2022.

  If you are eligible to access your super and need a lump sum withdrawal processed before the suspension period, we must receive the request by 5.00pm on Thursday 8 September 2022. Members with Pension accounts will still receive their regular scheduled payment prior to the suspension period.

• Can I make an investment switch during the suspension period?

  We will not be processing any investment switch requests after 5.00 pm on Wednesday 14 September 2022.

  You can still submit an investment switch form during the suspension period, but the switch request will not be processed until Monday 26 September 2022 onwards.

  When investment switch processing re-commences, we will use the unit price relevant to the date your form request was received based on the new cut-off times of 3.00 pm AEST.

  The only exception to this is switch requests received on Thursday 15 September 2022, which will be processed with the unit price effective Friday 16 September 2022.

• What is the new cut-off time for requesting an investment switch?

  From Monday 19 September 2022, investment switches must be received by 3.00 pm AEST on a business day (Monday to Friday, excluding national public holidays) to be processed with the unit price effective that same business day.

  Investment switch requests received after 3.00 pm will be considered to be received the next business day and processed with the unit price effective that day. Before Monday 19 September 2022, the cut-off time was 5.00 pm.

• Why are the investment names changing?

  These changes have been made to align our products as we move to a single brand.

• Will you still be publishing daily unit prices during the suspended period?

  No. There will be no unit pricing published on our website between Wednesday 14 September 2022 and Sunday 25 September 2022. However, we will still receive a unit price each business day. If you would like to know the latest unit price for an investment option during this period, please contact us.

  When processing resumes, any investment switch requests received during the suspension period will receive the unit price effective on the date that the investment switch request was received before 3.00 pm or effective the next business day if received after 3.00 pm. The only exception to this is switch requests received on Thursday 15 September 2022, which will be processed with the unit price effective Friday 16 September 2022.

• Is my investment still earning throughout this period?

  Yes, your balance will remain invested during the suspension period.

• Can I still check my balance?

  Our Energy Super Member Portal will close at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 14 September 2022 and you will be unable to access your account information after this date. You will be invited to register for Brighter Super Member Online from Monday 26 September 2022, where you can view your account information.

• Is my information safe during the migration?

  Yes. All data that is being migrated will be multi-encrypted and secure. You should feel confident that your data is safe, and your privacy assured.

• Can I still submit form requests?

  Yes, members are welcome to submit requests by form. Brighter Super forms are available at brightersuper.com.au/forms.

  Processing of forms will resume from Monday 26 September 2022, and we will action any requests received during the suspension period from this date.

• Will my insurance claim be affected?

  As part of transitioning to our new administration platform, Members with a Death or Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim in progress, will have their claims handed over to our new administrator from Monday 19 September 2022. As a result there may be minor delays in processing your claim during the transition period.

  If you currently have insurance cover as part of your claim, there is no change to the insurer, so you can rest assured that your claim will continue to be processed with minimal disruption.

  Members with an Income Protection claim in progress will not be affected as your claim is directly administered by the Insurer.

• How do I contact the fund?

  On Monday 19 September 2022, we will change our phone number, email address, mailing address and website.

  • Phone: 1800 444 396
  • Email: info@brightersuper.com.au
  • Website: brightersuper.com.au
  • Mail: Brighter Super, GPO Box 264, Brisbane QLD 4000.

  
  

  Our walk-in counter service remains at the same address: Level 20, 333 Ann Street, Brisbane QLD 4000.

  Our team will be happy to answer any queries you may have regarding the changes explained on this website and in the notice that we recently sent you.

Additional frequently asked questions for Pension account holders

• What will my new pension payment date be?

  Regular payments will not be impacted during the suspension period, but future scheduled monthly payment dates will change to align with Brighter Super payment dates.

  The first payment dates are Tuesday 27 September 2022 for fortnightly payments, and Wednesday 28 September 2022 for monthly payments.

  You can see the full list of payment dates at brightersuper.com.au/pension-payment-dates.

• Can I make lump sum withdrawals from my pension account during the suspension period?

  There will be no benefit payment processing between Wednesday 14 September 2002 and Sunday 25 September 2022.

  If you need a lump sum withdrawal processed before the suspension period, we must receive the request by 5.00 pm on Thursday 8 September 2022.

• Can I keep rebalancing on my Pension account?

  Yes, this will continue if you have previously opted in to auto rebalancing.

  If you would like to opt-out of auto rebalancing, you can complete the Change of Investment Choice – Investment Stream form, which is available at energysuper.com.au/forms.

• Can I make changes to my pension payment amount and frequency during the suspension period?

  You will not be able to make this request online after the Energy Super Member Portal closes down at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 14 September 2022. However, you can make this request during this period by completing the Brighter Super Pension update form, which is available at brightersuper.com.au/forms. Alternatively, you can make the changes in Brighter Super Member Online from Monday 26 September 2022.

• Can I request a Centrelink Income Stream Schedule if required?

  We are unable to generate a Centrelink Income Stream Schedule during the suspension period.

  You will be able to download a schedule any time from Monday 26 September 2022 in Brighter Super Member Online.

• When can I start a new Pension account?

  We will not be opening new Pension accounts during the suspension period. However, you can complete a Brighter Super Pension application form, which is available at brightersuper.com.au/forms. We will process your application from Monday 26 September 2022.

• What is the Retirement Reward and what's changing?

  The Retirement Reward is a tax benefit we pass on to you when you retire.

  When you move your Accumulation account or Transition to Retirement Pension account to a Pension account, your balance is transferred to a tax-free environment. The portion of tax that we have set aside can then be passed on to you.

  Currently, the Retirement Reward is paid to your new Pension account shortly after it is opened. For any new Brighter Super Pension accounts opened from Monday 26 September 2022, the amount of the Retirement Reward will be calculated and applied to your account after the end of the financial year during which you open your Pension account.

  New pension account applications received after Thursday 8 September 2022, will not have an account opened until we start processing applications from Monday 26 September 2022.

Frequently asked questions about Member Online

• Do my login details change?

  Yes. You will need to use your new member number to register for Brighter Super Member Online. We will send you a new member number before Monday 26 September 2022.

• Will I have to download a new mobile app?

  Yes. The Energy Super app will not be available from Wednesday 14 September 2022. After you have registered for Brighter Super Member Online, you can download the new app.

• How do I re-register for online access?

  We will send you a communication confirming your new member number and directions on how to register to access Brighter Super Member Online. This will be sent to you before Monday 26 September 2022.

• What happens if I receive an error when logging in?

  As a first step you can refer to our support documents and videos that will be available on the Brighter Super website from Monday 26 September 2022.

  If you need further assistance, please contact us on our new phone number 1800 444 396. We're here to help you.

• What new features does Brighter Super Member Online have?

  Brighter Super Member Online offers a range of services that will be new to members with Energy Super accounts.

  In addition to the information you've always been able to access, you will now be able to:

  • download a benefit quote (as a PDF)
  • download an Income Stream Schedule
  • view investment switch history
  • complete a lump-sum withdrawal (after a condition of release has been met)
  • view all your accounts on one dashboard.

Other frequently asked questions

• What if I have both a Brighter Super and an Energy Super account?

  Your Brighter Super and Energy Super accounts will not be consolidated to ensure that you don't lose any benefits with either account.

  Your new member number will link your Brighter Super and Energy Super accounts, making it easier for you to access them both online. If you want to consolidate your accounts, please contact us.

• Will there be an impact on my fees?

  No. There are no changes to fees and costs at this time.

• How can I find out information on my account during the suspension period?

  You can email us at info@energysuper.com.au or call us on 1300 436 374. We are open weekdays 8.00 am to 5.30 pm AEST. Our team of superannuation specialists and financial advisers are happy to help you.

Additional frequently asked questions about Industry SuperFunds

• Why doesn't the Brighter Super brand have the ISA logo (Industry SuperFunds), like Energy Super?

  The Industry SuperFunds (ISA) Joint Marketing program is an initiative that funds pay to be part of. We decided not to continue this partnership with Brighter Super, which was a decision that considered the benefits for our members against the annual costs involved. This decision put the financial interests of our members first, which is always our priority as a profit-for-members group.

• What does this mean?

  It means Brighter Super cannot use the ISA logo in marketing or branding and will not be one of the brands included with 11 other funds in the ISA Joint Marketing Program.

• Are we still involved with Industry Super Australia?

  Yes. Industry Super Holdings (ISH) is the parent company of entities such as ISA Joint Marketing Program (Industry SuperFunds) and IFM Investors. Our fund is a shareholder in ISH, with a holding worth approximately $13m. Our investment team also uses IFM Investors to manage portfolios in Bonds and Global Equities.

• Does this mean Brighter Super is still the brand for the energy industry?

  Yes. Brighter Super is proud of its heritage as the fund for the energy industry. We continue to run our group with the same ethos, purely to profit our members. Brighter Super has retained its energy industry members and partners and we sponsor and support other partnerships in the electrical industry, including Mates in Energy, as well as MEA (Master Electricians Association) and NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association), among others.

Connect with us