Commonwealth Numbered Regulations - Explanatory Statements

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SUPERANNUATION (PRODUCTIVITY BENEFIT) (2000-2001 CONTINUING CONTRIBUTIONS) DECLARATION 2000 2000 NO. 166

STATUTORY RULES 2000 No. 166

SUPERANNUATION (PRODUCTIVITY BENEFIT) ACT 1988

ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

DECLARATION UNDER SECTION 3D

VARIATION OF TABLE

The Superannuation (Productivity Benefit) Act 1988 (the PB Act) provides the mechanism by which the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) minimum superannuation contribution is made for Commonwealth Government employees (and certain other employees) who have no other employer-sponsored superannuation cover. Prior to 1 July 1992, the PB Act provided productivity superannuation to these employees.

Since 1 July 1990, the designated employers of employees covered by the PB Act arrangements have been required to pay periodic contributions based on the salary of the employee to the superannuation fund nominated by the Minister for Finance and Administration, or another superannuation fund approved by the Minister. Where the employee is eligible, contributions may be paid to a regulated superannuation fund as defined by the Superannuation Industry Supervision legislation.

The amount to be contributed by an employer is determined from the table in the Schedule to the PB Act. The table is structured so that a proportionately greater benefit is provided to lower paid wage earners. The amount to be contributed is adjusted where the employee is not employed full-time.

This Declaration, made under section 31) of the PB Act and cited as the Superannuation (Productivity Benefit) (2000-2001 Continuing Contributions) Declaration 2000 substitutes a new table in the Schedule to the PB Act in relation to the financial year commencing on 1 July 2000.

The benefits provided under the PB Act comply with the requirements of the SG legislation. This Declaration ensures that the table of contribution rates take into account the increase in the SG rate to 8 per cent of salaries in 2000-2001 as provided for in the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.

Two groups of employees covered by the PB Act do not receive a flat rate superannuation contribution equivalent to 8 per cent of their salaries. These are:

*       lower paid wage earners whose weekly rate of salary is less than $161.85, and for whom 8 per cent of weekly salary would be less than their current weekly contribution of $13.53 (these persons will continue to receive their current contribution); and

*       employees on salaries in excess of $105,200 per annum who will receive a flat contribution equivalent to 8 per cent of $105,200 (ie $161.85 per week), as required by the SG legislation.

Historically, the benefit is skewed so that low income earners receive more than the SG minimum rate while higher income earners receive less.

The Declaration commenced on gazettal.