September 2000 Volume 81 Number 9 "serving the protectors"
Police Credit Union

Invalidity Benefits

The Police Superannuation Scheme provides valuable invalidity benefits for members under 55 and through illness or injury become permanently incapacitated for work within SAPOL. An invalidity benefit becomes payable in the event that a member’s employment with SAPOL is terminated on the grounds of invalidity, in accordance with the provisions of the Police Superannuation Act 1990 (the Act).

The two types of invalidity benefit payable are for total and permanent incapacity or partial incapacity. The type of invalidity benefit payable to a member is determined by the Police Superannuation Board (the Board), in accordance with the provisions of the Act, on the basis of medical advice presented (treating and independent), the member’s level of incapacity for all kinds of work (both inside and outside of SAPOL) and the permanency of the member’s incapacity.

Total and Permanent Incapacity

A member is entitled to an invalidity benefit, based on total and permanent incapacity, if the member’s level of incapacity for all kinds of work (both inside and outside of SAPOL) is 60 per cent or more and the member’s incapacity is likely to be permanent. A member of the Pension Scheme would be entitled to a fortnightly pension benefit based on their age 60 entitlement. A member has the option to commute up to 10 per cent of the pension into a lump sum. A member of the Lump Sum Scheme would be entitled to a lump sum benefit based on the their age 55 entitlement. Invalidity benefits are reduced in cases where members are in receipt of or entitled to receive workers compensation payments.

Partial Incapacity

A member is entitled to an invalidity benefit, based on partial incapacity, if the member’s level of incapacity for all kinds of work (both inside and outside of SAPOL) is less than 60 per cent or if the member’s incapacity is not likely to be permanent. Members of both the Pension and Lump Sum Schemes would be entitled to a lump sum benefit based on their length of membership of the Scheme. The minimum lump sum payable is two times annual superannuation salary with a lump sum of 5.45 times annual superannuation salary payable after 30 years’ membership of the Scheme.

Statistics of Invalidity Benefits

Over the last five years the Board has approved the following invalidity benefits.

Year	Total and Permanent	Partial Disablement	Total
1994-95	2	3	5
1995-96	3	4	7
1996-97	-	3	3
1997-98	3	3	6
1998-99	1	4	5

Member Information

The Police Superannuation Board website is now available for members to obtain information relating to the Police Superannuation and Police Occupational Superannuation Schemes.

For information about superannuation contact the Police Superannuation Office. Group information sessions can be arranged upon request. Phone: 8204 2964 or 8204 2965. Fax: 8204 2303. E-mail: polsuper@adelaide.on.net.

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