Quiz: Making sense of Income Protection insurance

27 April 2025

We get it, insurance isn’t always the most exciting topic to read about. But here’s the thing: knowing a little more about your Income Protection insurance could make a big difference if life throws you a curveball.

Take our short quiz to see how much you know about Income Protection through your super. There’s no pass or fail, just a few quick questions to help you feel more confident about your cover.

1. What does Income Protection insurance actually do?

Answer: B. Income Protection provides regular payments if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. It’s designed to help cover everyday expenses like groceries, bills and rent while you focus on getting better.

2. How much of my salary does my Triple S Income Protection cover?

Answer: C. Income Protection though Super SA’s Triple S super, covers up to 75% of your notional salary. It won’t replace your full income, but it’s designed to help cover your essentials while you’re not working.

What’s notional salary?

  • If you’re employed full-time, it’s simply the salary you were receiving immediately before your illness or injury.
  • If you’re not employed full-time, it’s your salary averaged over up to three years prior to your illness or injury.

Important to note: if you joined after 3 September 2018, your notional salary may be capped at $122,000. This means your premiums and benefits are based on that limit. If you earn more, you can apply to increase your cover.

3. Do I have to apply for Income Protection with Super SA?

Answer: B (with some exceptions).
For most members of Triple S, Income Protection is automatically included. But not always. For example, casual employees aren’t automatically covered but can apply for it. Members over 65, non-active members, and spouse members aren’t eligible to hold or apply for cover. To be sure, log in to the member portal where you can check your insurance inclusions.

4. If I get injured tomorrow and stop working, will I automatically get paid Income Protection?

Answer: B. Income Protection usually has a ‘waiting period’ – the time between when you stop working due to illness or injury and when Income Protection is payable. With Super SA, the default waiting period is 30 days, though you may have applied for a 90-day option. It’s a good idea to check what applies to you. You can do this via the member portal.

5. Can I claim Income Protection if I lose my job?

Answer: B. Income Protection is there if you can’t work because of illness or injury – it doesn’t cover losing your job, redundancy, being stood down or resigning.

6. How long will my payments last if I claim?

Answer: D. With Super SA, Income Protection payments can continue for up to 24 months (or up to 12 months if you’re a casual employee). Payments will stop earlier in certain situations, such as if you return to work, are no longer incapacitated, reach age 65, or if your employment ends for any reason. For the full list of circumstances that may bring payments to an end, see the Income Protection Insurance fact sheet.

7. Can I cancel my cover?

Answer: C. Most Triple S members can cancel their Income Protection at any time. However, if you work in an operational role for SA Police or SA Ambulance Service you must keep your Income Protection until age 60. The same rule applies for contributory members of the SA Ambulance Service Superannuation Scheme who transfer into Triple S.

8. What happens to my super while I’m receiving Income Protection payments?

Answer: C. Employer contributions to super would normally stop while you’re not working and earning your normal salary. With Super SA, you receive a Contribution Replacement Benefit (currently up to 9.5% of your Income Protection benefit) paid into your Triple S account, while you’re receiving Income Protection payments. This means your super continues to grow even while you recover.

How did you score?

Whether you answered every question correctly or learned something new along the way, the key thing to remember is this: Income Protection is about peace of mind. It’s there so you don’t have to dip completely into your savings or rely on others if you suddenly can’t work.

Next steps?

Consider checking your cover. Log in to the member portal or refer to your latest annual statement.

And remember, if you’re unsure, we’re here to help. Understanding your Income Protection is one small step toward making your financial future more secure.

 

The superannuation schemes administered by Super SA are exempt public sector superannuation schemes and are not regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Super SA is not required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence to provide general advice about a Super SA product. The information on this website is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Super SA recommends that before making any decisions about its products you consider the appropriateness of this information in the context of your own objectives, financial situation, and needs, read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), and seek financial advice from a licensed financial adviser in relation to your financial position and requirements.