Issue 16
December 2011

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From the CEO - year in review

I am pleased to introduce this issue of Aspire, our quarterly online newsletter for PSSap members. It is designed to help make sense of your super and PSSap benefit options.

2011 was a busy year for your Trustee. Australian Reward Investment Alliance (ARIA) merged with the MilitarySuper Board to form Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC).

CSC now manages all Commonwealth super schemes, for both government employees and military personnel. CSC invests over $23.2 billion in retirement benefits. Over time, we believe that CSC's economies of scale will help to deliver significant member benefits.

Another major focus in 2011 was investment governance and performance. CSC's investment governance approach is driven by our primary objective to maximise long-term real returns for members within certain risk constraints.

During the year global investment markets remained volatile, affecting all superannuation funds. CSC's performance has remained competitive despite this volatility, with the Trustee Choice Option returning 7.3% for the year to 30 June 2011.

In 2011 we also continued to assist our members in making the right decisions for their super through our At Work for You seminar program. During the year we ran 28 PSSap workshops for over 580 members in six states and territories across the country.

Lastly, as you may know, the changeover of administration for the PSSap scheme from ComSuper to Pillar has been postponed. This is to allow more time for Pillar to improve processes for members. Once a new date is confirmed, it will be communicated to all members in a letter.

As 2011 draws to a close, I thank you for your continued support. On behalf of the CSC Board and staff, I wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas period.

Peter Carrigy-Ryan
CSC Chief Executive Officer

PSSap - platinum rating six years running

We are pleased to announce that your fund has been awarded a platinum SuperRatings' rating for the sixth year running. SuperRatings describe PSSap as:

A "best value for money" superannuation fund; well-balanced across all key assessment criteria in a robust, secure and proven risk framework. The fund provides features that should assist most individuals to meet their retirement savings goal.

As a platinum super product, PSSap is rated in the top 15% of the more than 300 funds assessed. PSSap was rated as excellent for fees and charges and death and disablement insurance, and good for investment performance, member education and governance.

PSSap's strong environmental and social credentials were also recognised by SuperRatings earlier this year through an Infinity Recognised award.

Want to find out more? Please read the SuperRatings Fundamentals PSSasp profile.

Great to hear what you think - thank you!

We'd like to thank you for the tremendous response we received to our online survey. More than 5,000 of you took the time to tell us what you think of super, and what is important to you. It will help us to provide the help and advice you want, in the way you want it.

Make sure you stay connected

Did you receive this online survey from your Trustee? If you didn't, we may not have your email address, or you may not have been able to receive our email to your work email address. That may be due to email restrictions which some government departments put in place – but it’s easy to stay connected!

To participate in member research, you must tick the research box in Member services online under your details. Then simply provide your email address for the first time, or consider updating your work address to your personal one. To update all your details including your email address, and to be contacted in future for research, log in to Member services online. For this, you'll need your access number. If you don't have one, or misplaced it, we can give it to you over the phone by calling 1300 000 277.

Customer Information Centre availability

Your CSC Customer Information Centre (CIC) will be available on 29 and 30 December 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm (AEST), but not on the other days from 24 December to 2 January inclusive.

Your investment choice

It's a good idea to review your choice from time-to-time to ensure it remains appropriate to your risk tolerance and your likely investment timeframe. As a PSSap member, you can invest in one or more of up to 11 options covering varying levels of risk and expected return.

Your choice includes a Sustainable Option. If you have not made a choice in the past, you will be in the Trustee Choice Option.

Contact us

Email members@pssap.gov.au
Phone 1300 725 171
Fax 1300 662 406
Web www.pssap.gov.au
TTY 02 6272 9827
Post PSSap, PO Box 22, Belconnen ACT 2616
Street Unit 4, Cameron Offices, Chandler St, Belconnen ACT 2617

WARNING – THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS GENERAL ADVICE OR INFORMATION ONLY
The information in this document is general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider any advice in this document in light of your personal objectives, financial situation or needs before acting on it. You may wish to consult a licensed financial planner to do this. If you are looking at acquiring a financial product you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement and consider its contents before making any decisions.