Your Employer Is Not Paying Your Superannuation, What To Do
Superannuation is probably going to be the main or in many cases only pension fund you end up with, it is therefore worth protecting. It is very likely that the main contributor to your super fund is going to be your employer. Understanding your rights, responsibilities and those of your employer is a must if you are going to make the most of your superannuation or super fund.
Your rights and responsibilities.
You have the right to receive contributions to your super fund from your employer and you the right to choose which fund your contributions go to. It is your responsibility to provide information to the Taxation Office in relation to your work, address and other superannuation related issues.
Your employer’s rights and responsibilities.
Your employer has the right to get an honest month’s work out of every paycheck. Your employer must pay you your wage and an extra 9% towards your superannuation or super fund. He has up to two months to change to the super fund of your choice.
What you need to do if your employer is not paying your superannuation contributions.
As mentioned above if you feel your employer is not playing his part in paying towards your superannuation fund you need to make this known to the Tax Office, which have protocols to follow in these circumstances.
This guide should help you through the process of claiming your “lost” or unpaid contributions.
1) First contact your employer or the Human Resources department before getting the big guns out. It is not the best idea to bite the hand that is feeding you, unless they have stopped feeding you. Often problems with payment are a mistake or misunderstanding that can be quickly put straight with some good old fashioned communication. It is a good idea to ask yourself if you are eligible for Superannuation payments. As mentioned in previous blogs you must be 18 years old and receive at least $450 per month. There are occasions when you can qualify if you are younger and work full time or if you are a contractor that is paid mainly for labour.
2) Contact your super fund managers and check your Member Statement. They should be able to confirm what has been paid and by who.
3) If you still think your employer is not paying your superannuation fund payments it is time to contact the Tax Office at www.ato.gov.au or by calling 13 10 20 and lodge an inquiry on unpaid contributions. You can also do this if your employer is paying your contributions but just not in the super fund you want them to.