I have two super accounts because different funds offer different investment options. First State had a good performing property choice. My other fund has an excellent infrastructure choice but not a good performing property one. I wanted to combine the two but First State does not have a dedicated infrastructure choice. In fact their individual choice of investments are quite limited compared to other funds. Not only that, they only allow one free change of investments a financial year, after which changes incur a $50 fee. They have not kept u...Read more

Something smells.
My account has been losing money very rapidly.
$4000 in the last 3 weeks.
The last 6 months lost approx $9000

It is like getting blood from a stone when trying to get information.

The person i spoke to on the phone indicated it was bad investments.
Really!
I hope whoever is making the investment choices is looking for a new job. ...Read more

I first sent my application for release of my super on compassionate grounds in on the 22nd of October. Evidently, once my application reached your offices it sat on someone's desk for FIVE DAYS before someone even bothered to contact me and tell me I needed to provide further identification prior to my application being processed (I had in fact already provided the ID it just wasn't certified for the love of god).
This was on the 31st of October which I sent in that day using priority post.
It is now the 14th of November and I am yet to rec...Read more

I was with this super fund for nearly 30 years and came out of it recently with less than impressive funds. I have since rolled the sum into another fund associated with a new job so hopefully things might build. You expect ups and downs with the markets etc but you rely on the fund manager (with experienced finance people) to make the appropriate investment choices and changes continuously over time for the strategy they have recommended for your age etc. One of the most frustrating and I think wrong actions is when superfunds automatically ta...Read more

As superannuation is confusing to even the most academic person, the laws do change every financial year. My experience with dealing with First State Super has been really efficient. I found the website and online account option really helpful and user friendly. Each superannuation company will vary from another though. It is worthwhile to take the time to research the site to find the answers you are looking for,

With telephone calls with First State, the staff have always been very kind and professional. And unlike others, they do ask...Read more

I deposited a rather large personal contribution after confirming with FSS that the amount will be allocated to the super account on a particular date. The amount did not arrive on the date they promised and that resulted in a loss of $2300 to us. FSS repeatedly refused to honour their promise that led us to deposit the money in the first place and told us to screw off. We told them we had 25 week old premature twins that need attention after having lost a child before that and no empathy at all. Clear cut intention of rip off and stealing. Fin...Read more

I have exactly the same experience. FSS created a duplicate account in my married name when I got married. They did so without my consent and without any documentation. I have been unable to combine the accounts over 14 years while they have merrily charged me double fees. Every time I have tried there has been a problem. I am currently trying to do it again and transfer the balance elsewhere. They tell me they will not consider the refund of fees if I close the account. I have been trying to do so for over 1 month. Despite giving them m...Read more

Ive had FSS for several decades as a legacy of what was forced on me for government work.

Since 2012 I have been in a horrible cycle of enquires attempts with a 2 week turn around to get a standard form letter automatically generated eMail back all of which list all these things available to me if I only ask, and ignoring that yes I have actually asked can you please answer. Lots and lots of long winded information, nothing informative!!!

This has ranged from trying to nominate beneficiaries that they reject. Ive also been trying to fin...Read more

Hi have a FSS fund due to working as a police officer, I have made a claim for TPD as per the insurance offered via FSS, I have been told even though they took money out of my fund for coverage, that TAL life claim I am not covered by them, and MetLife claim I am not covered by them, the two insurers involved with FSS. FSS claimed they were going to sort it out within 6-8 weeks or the matter goes to tribunal. It has been over three months, the case manager [name removed] doesn't respond to emails, and I haven't heard anything from FSS. So where...Read more