Disclaimer
The results obtained from these calculators are for general purposes only to illustrate the effect of compound interest and are not intended as a substitute for professional financial advice. Before making any financial decisions on the basis of these results, you will need to consult with an independent financial planner or accountant as well as consider whether the advice is suitable to meet your personal financial objectives and circumstances.
The actual performance of any investments will depend on future economic conditions, investment management, fees and taxation. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance and as a result of this, all the results are hypothetical and are NOT GUARANTEED.
Nambawan Super specifically disclaims any liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages arising out of or in any way connected with the access to or use of these calculators. To the extent permitted by law, under no circumstances will Nambawan Super be liable for any loss or damage caused by a user's reliance on the information by using these calculators.
Assumptions
Projected super balance at retirement:
The projected total super balance takes into account your starting balance, employee and employer contributions, any additional voluntary contributions as well as interest earned between now and your retirement.
Retirement age:
We have assumed a default retirement age of 65. This can be adjusted in the calculator.
Working life:
The calculator assumes that you will have a continuous working life with no breaks up to your retirement age.
Interest rate:
The default investment returns have been set at 5.6%. This is based on the Nambawan Super 10-year average interest rate.
Employee contributions:
PNG Superannuation laws dictate that 6% is the mandatory minimum contribution for employees to make. Employees may choose to contribute more than the minimum.
Employer contributions:
PNG Superannuation laws dictate that 8.4% is the mandatory minimum contribution that employers have to make. Employers may choose to contribute more than the minimum.
Information on the Non-Contributory Vested Pension Benefit (Section 45A)
Vested Benefits are a benefit introduced to cover the pension period for Correctional Service, Police and Fire Service officers for the non-contribution period before 1990.
Who is eligible for the benefit?
The Vested Benefit only applies to:
- Members of the Fire Service, Correctional Service and who commenced service before 1 January 1991; and
- Members of the Police Force who joined before 1972 who left the Fund after that date.
The Vested Benefit is only payable where Members have completed a total of 20 years’ service of non-contributory and contributory service taken together. Once an officer has completed 20 years of total service they automatically become entitled on termination of employment to the payment of the benefit;
Termination after completion of 20 years of service is taken to mean separation of any reason including resignation, retrenchment, retirement on all grounds and termination by the employer for any cause. Retirement is taken to mean 50 years of age, but in order to draw the Benefit, the Member must have completed 20 years of service.
All payments of the Benefit will be paid by Nambawan Super in accordance with the Fund’s rules applicable to pensions and lump sums. Provided that they meet the Eligibility requirements under the Superannuation (General Provision) Act 2000. Members of departments and approved authorities that were required to contribute to Public Officers Superannuation Fund (POSF) prior to 1991 DO NOT qualify for this benefit.
Background on Vested Benefits
Prior to 1 January 1991, non-commissioned officers of the Correctional Service were not required to contribute to POSF but were entitled to a non-contributory pension after completing a minimum of 20 years of service. Members of the Fire Service were also not required to contribute to the Fund but were not entitled to a pension.
Members of the Police Force were required to contribute to NSL from 1972 onward so as other public servants. However, these Members already in the force prior to 1972 had the option not to contribute to POSF. Those who exercised the option not to contribute were entitled to a non-contributory pension after completing a minimum of 20 years’ service with the Police Force.
Changes after 1991
From 1 January 1991, the POSF Act made it compulsory for all permanent Public Servants including Members of the Fire Service, Correction Services and Police.
In recognition of the period of non-contributory service before 1991 by Fire Service, Correctional Service and Police Force Members, the POSF Act was amended to include a vested benefit in respect of service provided by these Members of the Fund where they exited the Fund after 1 January 1991.
Take note that anyone who ceased employment before 1991 is not eligible for this benefit.
Frequently asked questions about Vested Benefits
Yes, the Member is eligible based on:
- Continued service over 20 years without any break (eg. termination or suspension)
- Not contributing for the last 20 years
This period is deemed as a lost period to the Member because contributions were not mandatory and it was the law back then. So the responsibility does not fall on any party but on the Member.
Members can apply when they exit the Fund.
NSL will pay whenever the State provides funding.
Yes, if the Member did not receive the payments before the time of their demise.
The two components are paid separately.
Vested Benefits are not a pension payment. It is paid to eligible officers when they exit employment as a one-off lump sum.
No. Interest is not calculated and applied. The Vested Benefits payment is a one-off payment to compensate officers who were not eligible to contribute due to the law at that time (prior to 1991) not allowing them to.
Beneficiaries of pensioners are not able to access Vested Benefit payments because each retiring officer is entitled to only one benefit - either superannuation, or pension.
It is calculated from gross salary as at 1 January 1991. This information is provided by the respective employer to NSL.
The State is responsible. NSL only facilitates the payments once they are received from the State.
No. An officer is only entitled to one benefit; either superannuation, or pension.
If you still have queries, contact our Employer & Stakeholder Relations team, or you can read more here.
