Your will doesn't decide
who gets your super.
This form does.
Most people assume their super follows their will. In most cases, it doesn't. We help make sure your beneficiary nominations are valid, current, and actually reflect your wishes, and work alongside your solicitor on the rest.
SINCE 2019
Most people assume their super follows their will. It usually doesn't.
Superannuation is generally held outside your estate, which means it doesn't automatically follow the instructions in your will. What actually happens depends on your beneficiary nomination, and whether it's valid, current, and binding.
A simple, single instruction that covers everything you own, including super.
Your will may have no say in this at all, depending on the type and validity of your nomination.
The trustee decides, based on factors at the time
If there's no valid binding nomination, your super fund's trustee may use discretion to decide who receives the benefit. This process can take time, and may not align with what you intended, particularly in blended families or where circumstances have changed. Some of the factors a trustee may consider:
Making this simple and current, not complicated and forgotten
Estate planning isn't a one-off task. It's a few specific things kept up to date as life changes.
Reviewing and updating your superannuation death benefit nominations.
Ensuring insurance beneficiaries reflect your current wishes.
Coordinating with legal professionals on wills and estate documents.
Structuring ownership of assets for better tax and protection outcomes.
Providing guidance so your financial intentions are clearly documented.
Our role, and your solicitor's role
Both matter, and they're not the same thing. Financial advice covers how your super, insurance and assets work in practice. Legal advice ensures the documents behind your wishes are properly drafted and valid.
The financial side
We help you review and set up your superannuation beneficiary nominations, understand how your insurance and super benefits are likely to be paid, and make sure these arrangements align with your broader financial position. We also flag where your super and estate structures may not currently line up, for your solicitor to address.
The legal side
Your solicitor prepares legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and testamentary trusts, and provides legal advice around estate law. They ensure your legal documents are drafted correctly and are legally enforceable.
Life changes. Your nominations should too.
A nomination that made sense a few years ago might not reflect your situation now. A few moments worth a check:
Marriage, separation or divorce
Relationship changes are one of the most common reasons a nomination no longer reflects reality, and one of the most common things people forget to update.
Having children, or children growing up
New dependents may need to be considered. Adult children may need different arrangements than when they were younger.
Buying property or starting a business
How assets are owned and structured can affect both tax outcomes and what happens to them later.
It's just been a while
Most binding nominations expire after three years unless renewed. If you can't remember the last time you checked, it's worth checking now.
Make sure your wishes are actually what's on file
Book a strategy session. The review, the strategy and the session are all at no cost. A fee only applies if you choose to implement.
Book a Strategy SessionABN: 46 679 016 525 | AFSL: 561 658