It’s an important step to ensure your loved ones are looked after in the future.

Nominating a beneficiary is one small action that protects your loved ones and ensures your superannuation and insurance ends up where you want it to. It’s smart, simple and easy to do.

Why make a nomination?

Super does not automatically form part of your estate when you die, unless you select your binding beneficiary in your account as your legal personal representative.

To make sure your super and insurance benefits are distributed the way you want in the event of your death, you need to let us know who you want to receive them. This process is called nominating a beneficiary.

There are different types of nominations you can make, including Non-Lapsing Binding, Lapsing Binding, and Non-Binding. Each comes with its own considerations. You can find out more here.

How to make a nomination

Nominations are easy to set up. Log in to your firstonline account and complete the form at My details > beneficiaries.

Why make a Binding Nomination?

A Binding Nomination can help to avoid delays in processing, creates certainty for you and your family about who will get your superannuation and insurance, and may help prevent disputes between families or ex-partners.

A Non-Lapsing Binding Nomination can be made through your firstonline account and does not require frequent review or renewal, as the three-year Lapsing Binding option does.

Who can you nominate?

First Super must follow any binding nomination that is deemed valid at the date of your death. Valid nominations include:

• Children
• A Spouse
• Financial dependants
• Interdependents

You can also choose your legal personal representative as your nomination.

How long does a nomination last?

A Non-Lapsing Binding Nomination doesn’t expire, providing certainty about how you’d like your superannuation and insurance distributed. However, if your circumstances change (for example, you get divorced) you must update your nomination.

Similarly, a Non-Binding Nomination does not expire, however it does not provide the same certainty about the distribution of your funds as we may not be legally able to follow your instruction.

If you’d prefer to have the option of being able to review your nominations, there is a three-year Lapsing Binding Nomination option available. To choose this option, you must fill out this form and have it witnessed by two people who are not your beneficiaries.

You can find out the difference between nomination types here.