Triple S

Triple S stands for the Southern State Superannuation Scheme. The Triple S Scheme has been the super scheme for South Australian Government employees since 1 July 1995.

At Super SA, we can open a Triple S account for your spouse (or putative spouse) if you’re an active Triple S member yourself.

Making contributions to your spouse’s account could make a difference to both of your retirement savings, especially if your spouse is not working or on a low income. Find out more about eligibility here.

A contribution split lets you split your employer and salary sacrifice contributions with your spouse¹⁰ - but only within the Triple S Scheme. You cannot split into other super funds.

Temporary residents can be employed in the South Australian Public Sector and contributions will be directed to Super SA’s Triple S Scheme.

If you held an eligible temporary citizen visa and are returning home on a permanent basis you are most likely able to claim your entitlement (New Zealand and Australian citizens are unable to claim their entitlement upon leaving Australia unless you have met other conditions of release).

If you are 55 years of age or more and wish to claim your entitlement complete either of these forms:

• Transfer Your Super form (for rollovers)
• Withdraw Your Super form (for cash withdrawals)

To claim your entitlement please complete these two forms:

• Triple S Withdraw Your Super form, and the
• Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) online application, available on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.

Return the Triple S Withdraw Your Super form and include proof of identity¹¹ to Super SA. 

You are only able to claim your entitlement once you have left Australia and your benefit can only be paid once Super SA has received confirmation from the Australian Taxation Office or Department of Home Affairs that your application has been accepted.

Different tax rules apply to amounts paid as a result of DASP claims.

Moving on

If you take a Targeted Voluntary Separation Package (TVSP) your entitlement will depend on your age.

Under 55

If you are under 55, you can either:

• preserve the entire amount in Triple S or roll it into a complying super fund, such as the Super SA Flexible Rollover Product
• take the unpreserved component of your super¹⁰ and roll any preserved amounts into a complying super fund, like the Super SA Flexible Rollover Product

Further information on your options can be found in the Triple S PDS.

You may also claim your super if you held a temporary resident visa and have permanently left Australia¹⁰.

Over 55

If you are over 55 you have the following options for your super balance:

• receive your entitlement in a lump sum payment¹⁰
• roll your total entitlement into a complying super fund¹⁰, such as the Super SA Flexible Rollover Product
• take the unpreserved component of your super¹⁰ and roll any preserved amounts into a complying super fund, like the Super SA Flexible Rollover Product

It’s important you are aware that your Co-contribution Account and any part of your Rollover Account that was subject to preservation before it was rolled into Triple S will still be subject to Commonwealth Government preservation rules. This means that, depending on your age and circumstances, you may have to wait longer to access this portion of your entitlement.

Before claiming your entitlement you should consider the benefits of investing in the Super SA Income Stream, so that your money can keep growing as you transition to and throughout your retirement.

You should also consider getting some professional financial advice to help you make the right decisions for your circumstances.

Moving on
If you resign from the SA public sector before age 55 (50 for police officers) you have the following options for your account:

You can either:

• preserve the entire amount in Triple S or
• roll it into a complying super fund, including the Super SA Flexible Rollover Product
• take the unpreserved component of your super¹⁰ and roll any preserved amounts into a complying super fund, like the Super SA Flexible Rollover Product.

You may also claim your super if you held a temporary resident visa and have permanently left Australia.

Further information on your resignation options can be found in the Triple S PDS available below.

It’s important you're aware that your Co-contribution Account and any part of your Rollover Account that was subject to preservation before it was rolled into Triple S will still be subject to Commonwealth Government preservation rules. This means that, depending on your age and circumstances, you may have to wait longer to access this portion of your entitlement.

If you choose to preserve your super in Triple S, it will remain preserved until you claim your entitlement. At age 55, you can claim your Triple S preserved entitlement¹⁰, however access to any amounts subject to Commonwealth Government preservation rules remains governed by those rules.

You should complete either a Transfer your super form or Withdraw your super form within 3 months of resignation to inform Super SA of your decision.

Regardless of your age or when you resign, your preserved entitlement can be rolled over into a complying super fund, like the Super SA Flexible Rollover Product, at any time.

You should also consider getting some professional financial advice to help you make the right decisions for your circumstances.

In response to the Commonwealth’s Protecting Your Superannuation (PYS) Package, Super SA has introduced a number of measures aimed at protecting low-balance accounts from being eroded by fees, and helping you keep track of any inactive or lost super. 

Learn more about Super SA's response to the Commonwealth’s Protecting Your Superannuation (PYS) Package here.