• About us
  • Who looks after the PSSap
  • The ARIA team
  • What we provide
  • Governance
  • Responsibilities
  • Trust Deed, scheme rules and legislation
  • Contracts
  • Senate Order 8
  • Statements of expectation
  • Annual Reports
• Compare us
• Joining
  • How to join
  • Choose the options you want
  • Additional services
• Contributions
  • What your employer contributes
  • What you contribute
  • Other ways to build super
• Investments
  • Your investment options
  • Investment performance
  • Your choice your responsibility
  • Risk and return
  • Choose your investment strategy
  • Daily unit price
• Insurance
  • A quick overview
  • When to check your insurance
  • Change your insurance
  • Claim your insurance
  • Nominate your beneficiaries
• Withdrawing your super
• Learning centre
  • How superannuation works
  • At Work for You workshops
  • Lifestages
  • Advice and staying informed
  • Useful links
  • Glossary
• Fact sheets, forms and publications
  • Fact sheets
  • Forms
  • Publications

ARIA starts, to serve your interests better

Your new Trustee, Australian Reward Investment Alliance (ARIA), starts its work for you on 1July 2006. 

The superannuation environment in Australia has undergone significant change over the past few years, with financial services reform, increased regulation and Choice of Fund.

The previous structure, of one Board managing the Public Sector Super Scheme (PSS) and PSS Accumulation Plan (PSSap) and another Board managing the Commonwealth Super Scheme (CSS), created duplications. Under that structure in the new environment, super arrangements for Australian Government employees would not have been sustainable or cost-effective in the long term.

It was obvious that the PSS Board and CSS Board had to adapt in order to continue to meet members' needs into the future. So we have merged to create ARIA, a simplified, sustainable and more effective governance structure which will greatly enhance our ability to serve the interests of members.

We (the Trustees of ARIA) were previously members of the PSS Board, the CSS Board or both. Our principal responsibility remains the same: to manage and invest the Fund to maximise benefits to members, with profits going to members.

Our new structure will enable us to introduce a range of improvements for your Scheme. We will be able to:

• achieve new cost efficiencies through the elimination of outdated complexities and duplications in administration, investment, liability management, risk management and regulatory compliance, which will have a positive effect on investment returns over time
• ensure sustainability for the future  with the use of a single investment Trust which will provide greater economies of scale and assist us to maintain competitive cost structures
• maintain a strong governance structure in line with the Australian Government's new best-practice corporate governance principles, to maintain our high levels of accountability and transparency
• improve communication and education services with the delivery of seminars and individual consultations to members at their place of work

The end result will be an improved business structure to further maximise your benefit and an active communications framework to make it easier for you to gain the knowledge and skills you want to manage your super confidently.

Your benefit and entitlements remain the same

It's obvious there is no need to change the strengths of the PSSap benefit structure, and your benefits and entitlements will remain the same. The PSSap and its corresponding Fund will continue to be managed in accordance with its legislation, the Superannuation Act 2005.

But, over time, your Scheme will benefit through cost-efficiencies. For example, by managing the PSSap, PSS and CSS Funds through a single investment Trust, the PSSap will benefit from greater economies of scale. This reduces transaction costs.

Our responsibilities to you remain the same

ARIA's principal responsibility will remain the same as the previous PSS Board's: to manage and invest the Funds to maximise the benefits to members. Its fiduciary obligations, to act in members' best interests, will also remain the same as set out under the Supervision Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and other relevant laws.

Our purpose remains the same

OUR PURPOSE IS: To help past, present and future Australian Government employees and their families make the most of their financial future. We do this by aiming for consistently good returns at a low cost through disciplined investment frameworks. We also provide you with information and general advice to help you develop the knowledge and skills you want to manage your super confidently.

We value our legislated responsibilities to manage and invest the Fund to maximise the benefits to members and to act in members' best interest.

Your Government Super at Work