Core Super changes to unitisation

From 1 December 2011, the method for valuing investment options in our members' Core Super accounts will change from a crediting rate to unit pricing. This will not affect your benefit with Intrust Super, but will mean that your account balance and transaction details will be expressed as units as well as dollars. Unit pricing already applies to our other products (i.e. Executive Super, Select Super and Super Stream), and is now regarded as best practice across the superannuation industry.

Currently, Core Super members must wait until the end of each financial year for their financial investment returns to be calculated. Under the unit pricing method, units will be priced each week, which will allow us to provide members with more up-to-date information about their account balances.

What is unitisation?

When you invest in any of the Core Super investment options, your money is placed in a pool of investments along with the money from all the other members who have chosen that investment option.

From the date of change, each investment option is divided into units, and every unit you own in that investment pool represents your share of that investment option.

Each unit has a 'price' that is determined based on the valuation of the assets in the investment option less an allowance for tax and fees, divided by the number of units on issue for that investment option. Unit prices can move up and down as the value of the assets or the allowance for tax and fees in the investment option change.

Generally, units will be priced each week and will be available to view on our website.

Converting to unitisation

On 1 December 2011, your account balance will be divided by a commencing unit price for the investment options that you currently invest in.

For example, if your account balance on 1 December is $30,000 and the commencing unit price is $1, your account balance of $30,000 will be divided by $1 per unit, which equals 30,000 units.

Contributions and withdrawals

From 1 December, when a contribution is made to your account, units will also be allocated. The number of units will be determined by dividing the contribution amount by the relevant unit price.

For example, if your employer contributes $1,100 and the unit price is $1.10, 1,000 units will be allocated to your account ($1,100/$1.10 = 1,000).

When a benefit payment or withdrawal (e.g. fees, tax or insurance) is withdrawn from your account, units will be sold using the relevant unit price.

For example, if you withdraw $1,100 and the unit price is $1.02, 1078.4 units will be sold ($1,100/$1.02 = 1078.4).

Switching between investment options

When a member requests to switch between investment options, the transaction is processed similarly to that of a withdrawal or a contribution, except that the switch transaction will be processed the following week using that week's unit prices to avoid any arbitrage opportunity arising.

How can I check the value of my account?

You can check the value of your account at any time by logging in to MemberAccess at www.intrust.com.au. You will be able to see the number of units you hold in each investment option, the current price per unit and the total value of your investment in dollar terms.

You can also call us on 132 467 and we can help you calculate your account balance.

More information

If you have any questions about the change to unitisation, please call us on 132 467.

 

Read more Intrust Super News here.