Important notice - Our outsourced administrator is changing
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Change in administrator
As you are most likely aware, the majority of the services required to administer the RBF's defined benefit schemes are currently provided under contract with Mercer Outsourcing (Australia). As Mercer's contract was coming to its end, the contract was put out for tender, and a new service provider, Link Group, was the successful bidder. On 20 February 2018, Link will be taking on the functions that Mercer previously provided.
RBF along with Mercer and Link are working together to minimise any impacts on you.
Important: There will be no change to your current entitlements or the Scheme design as a result of this transfer.
Your pension payments will continue to be paid during the transfer period. We will, however, need to adjust the timing and amount of some payments and those adjustments are explained below.
Limited service period
So that we can transfer your account effectively and with the minimum of risk, we won't be able to provide some of the services that are usually available for managing your account during the limited service period.
Limited service period for Pensioners
| 5 January 2018 | Paper forms for changes to your pension or bank details must be received at our administration office by COB Friday 5 January 2018. Please allow time for posting. Our offices in Hobart and Launceston can also accept paper forms up until this date. Updates to your pension or banking details will not be available from this date until after the transition has been completed. Paperwork lodged after this date may not be able to be processed before the administration system is securely suspended. Any paperwork that is lodged but not able to be actioned by Mercer will be retained and actioned by Link after the transition has been completed. You will not be required to re-lodge any of these forms. |
| 24 January 2018 | Your scheduled pension payment will be received in your bank account (this may be received a day or two earlier depending on your financial institution). |
| 7 February 2018 | You will receive two (2) pension payments on this day as one amount. This will be made up of the total of your pension payments scheduled for 7 February 2018 and 21 February 2018. The next pension payment you will receive will be on 7 March 2018. |
| 20 February 2018 | Link commences as the administrator for the RBF Defined Benefit Schemes and will progressively resume processing from this date. It is expected that normal processing times will resume during March as Link catch up with administration tasks transferred to it throughout the limited service period (as a priority), as well as new administration matters lodged from 20 February 2018. |
| 21 February 2018 | No pension payments on this date. This pension will have been paid on 7 February 2018 (see above). Please be mindful of any direct debits or recurring payments that you may have to allow for during this time. |
| 7 March 2018 | Your fortnightly pension payment schedule resumes from this date. |
Limited service period for Defined Benefit Members
| 19 January 2018 | Paper forms for changes to your personal or contribution details must be received at our administration office by COB Friday 19 January 2018. Please allow time for posting. Our offices in Hobart and Launceston can also accept paper forms up until this date. Requests lodged after this date may not be able to be processed before the administration system is securely suspended. Any requests that are lodged but not able to be actioned by Mercer will be retained and actioned by Link after the transition has been completed. You will not be required to re-lodge any of these requests. |
| 24 January 2018 | RBF Member portal is read only from this date. You will not be able to update your details online, due to the suspension of the administration system. |
| 2 February 2018 | The information displayed within the Member Portal will no longer be updated. You will still be able to view a snapshot of information current as at 2 February 2018 only until access is removed (see below). It is important to note because service, salary and other details will not be updated from 2 February 2018, benefit estimates will also not be current, and should not be relied upon during this period. |
| 13 February 2018 | RBF Member portal access will be removed, and the existing portal decommissioned. You will not have online access to your account from this date for a period of approximately 14 days. |
| 20 February 2018 | Link commences as the administrator for the RBF Defined Benefit Schemes and will progressively resume processing from this date. It is expected that normal processing times will resume during March as Link catch up with administration tasks transferred to it throughout the limited service period (as a priority), as well as new administration matters lodged from 20 February 2018. |
| 26 February 2018 | RBF MemberAccess will be available via www.rbf.com.au |
Important points
- If you are thinking about retiring or commencing a pension with RBF between now and March 2018 please contact the RBF Enquiry Line on 1800 622 631 as soon as possible to discuss your options.
- Payments for new pensions will not be able to commence during the limited service period.
- Accessing or transferring your benefit to a complying super fund will not be possible during the limited service period.
- If you wish to change your rate of contributions, upgrade past service or purchase service please contact us to discuss.
- Any third party authorities or death benefit arrangements that are currently held on your account will remain unchanged.
- Our contact number is not changing, you will still be able to contact us through the RBF Enquiry Line on 1800 622 631.
We understand this is a lot of information and that you may have questions. If you have any questions or would like more information about this change, please call the RBF Enquiry Line on 1800 622 631.