Making a claim can seem complicated but our aim is to make this process as smooth as possible
Help to make a claim
After someone has passed away, their remaining super is usually paid to their nominated beneficiary. This payment is known as a ‘super death benefit’.
If you're looking to claim a superannuation death benefit, this page walks you through exactly what to gather, who to send it to, and what to expect, one step at a time. If you'd prefer to talk to someone right now, our team is available on 13 13 36, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6pm AEST.
Documents you’ll need
Gather these documents first to help make the rest of the process much faster.
To certify your documents, make a copy of the original and take both the original document and the copy to an authorised certifier. Your documents can be certified by a Justice of the Peace, police officer, judge, Sheriff’s officer, barrister, solicitor, or a health professional registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), such as a doctor, pharmacist, optometrist or nurse. See a full list of authorised certifier here.
Death certificate (certified copy)
Always
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the deceased's state
Photo ID of the deceased (certified copy)
Always
Driver's licence, passport or Medicare card
Photo ID for each claimant (certified copy)
Always
Driver's licence or passport
CFS Death Benefit Claim Form
Always
Authority to Release Information form
If claimant is not the legal personal representative
Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
If claiming as executor/administrator
Supreme Court of the deceased's state
Will (certified copy)
Where applicable
Solicitor or executor
Marriage or birth certificate
If proving your relation to the person (spouse or child)
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Make a death benefit claim in 3 steps
Gather your documents
Use the checklist above to gather your documents. When a certified copy is required, the certification must include the certifier’s name, title and registration number (where applicable), and be signed and dated.
Submit your claim
Email them to: SPDEClaims@cfs.com.au
OR
Post the completed Death Benefit Claim Form plus certified documents to:
CFS Claims
Reply Paid 27, Sydney NSW 2001
You can also send digital copies using Australia Post e-Post Returns (instructions on the form).
Help us finalise your claim
Our team reviews the claim, contacts every potential beneficiary, and works through any nomination or estate questions. Most claims are finalised in 4 weeks. Complex cases (disputed nominations, minor beneficiaries, offshore claimants) can take longer.
Who can claim a death benefit?
A super death benefit can usually be paid to:
- A spouse (including de facto and same-sex partners)
- A child of the deceased (any age)
- An interdependent relation — someone who lived with and had a close personal relationship with the deceased, provided or received financial support, as well as domestic support and personal care
- A financial dependant — someone who relied on the deceased for financial support at the time of death
- The deceased's legal personal representative (executor or administrator) — for distribution through the estate
Tax on super death benefits
Tax treatment depends on who receives the benefit and what form it's paid in.
Tax dependant (spouse, child <18, financial dependant, interdependent relation)
0%
0%
0% if deceased or recipient 60+; otherwise marginal rate with offsets
Non-tax dependant (e.g. adult child not financially dependent)
Maximum tax of 17% (taxed element) or 32% (untaxed element)
0%
Not available — must be taken as a lump sum
Legal personal representative (estate)
Tax depends on ultimate beneficiary
0%
Not available - must be taken as a lump sum
Rates include the 2% Medicare levy where applicable. Ask our team for the specifics of the deceased account.
What if there's no valid beneficiary nomination?
If there isn’t a valid non-lapsing death benefit nomination, the trustee decides who receives the death benefit in line with super laws and the fund’s governing rules.
The trustee will usually pay the benefit to one or more of the following:
- dependants (such as a spouse, children, interdependents or financial dependants)
- the deceased's legal personal representative (to be distributed in accordance with their will)
Before making a decision, the trustee will contact anyone who may have a claim. This is why claim forms ask for details about the deceased’s family circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Most claims are finalised in 4–8 weeks once all documents are received. Complex claims (disputed nominations, minors, offshore claimants) can take longer.
Not automatically. A valid non-lapsing nomination directs the super straight to the nominated beneficiary. Without a valid non-lapsing nomination, the trustee may pay to the estate, which then distributes per the will.
If you're a tax dependant (spouse, child under 18, interdependent relation or financial dependant), there’s generally no tax to pay. If you’re not a tax dependant (for example, an adult who is financially independent), tax may apply. This can be up to 17% on taxed components and 32% on untaxed components.
Only super dependants — a spouse, child, financial dependant, or an interdependent relation — can elect to receive a death benefit as an income stream (pension).
For children, they must be under 18, or under 25 and financially dependent or have a prescribed disability. Generally, any pension paid to a child must be withdrawn as a lump sum by age 25 unless they remain disabled.
Non‑super dependants must receive the benefit as a lump sum.
Life insurance proceeds inside super are treated as part of the death benefit. Tax treatment depends on the recipient using the same rules as the super balance. A higher tax rate may apply to part of a lump sum death benefit paid to non‑tax dependants.
AIA Australia, our group insurer, processes insurance claims in parallel with the super claim so you don't need to submit separately.
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Important information
Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (AIL) is the trustee of the Colonial First State FirstChoice Superannuation Trust ABN 26 458 298 557 and issuer of FirstChoice range of super and pension products. Information on this webpage is provided by AIL. It may include general advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances. You can find the target market determinations (TMD) for our financial products at https://www.cfs.com.au/tmd which include a description of who a financial product might suit. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) carefully, assess whether the information is appropriate for you, and consider talking to a financial adviser before making an investment decision. You can get the PDS and FSG at www.cfs.com.au or by calling us on 13 13 36.