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.

• 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 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 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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. 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.

• 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.

• I have authorised a third party to access my account information. Will this continue?

  All existing third-party arrangements will continue. Please note that these expire every two years.

• 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.