Retire confidently with Smart Bundle

Set up your pension account the easy way, with a preselected payment schedule and investment strategy.

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Setting up your retirement income doesn’t have to be complicated. Mercer Super’s Smart Bundle is a quick, easy and simple solution for Australians who want to know their retirement income is in good hands. Apply via your Member Online account or apply below.
 

Why choose Mercer Super for retirement?

 

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Retirement is in our DNA

We have the expertise to help you realise your vision. With 75 years’ experience, we’re backed by Mercer, a locally-led, global expert in retirement and investments.


Investment options

It's your choice

Our flexible investment and pension payment options give you the power to customise your account to align with your unique retirement objectives.
 

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Advice at your fingertips

With Mercer Super’s accessible and affordable advice options, expert advice is always within easy reach.
 

Why choose Smart Bundle?

Whether you’re ready to retire full-time with an allocated pension or ease into retirement with a Transition to Retirement (TTR) account, Smart Bundle makes things simple – and it’s quick. It is designed to take the hassle out of starting a pension.

Based on the needs of a typical Australian retiree,1 Smart Bundle combines our Mercer SmartPath® lifecycle investment option with a preselected payment amount and schedule to help you make the most of your retirement savings with regular and reliable income. And it’s automatically fine-tuned as you age to help keep pace with expected income and spending needs.

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Smart Bundle in a nutshell


Smart Bundle provides a reliable income1 by combining the following account features.2

  • Lifecycle investment strategy – Your full account balance will be invested in Mercer SmartPath for allocated pensions or Taxed Mercer SmartPath for TTR pensions.

  • Above minimum payment amounts - Smart Bundle sets your pension payments at 2% above the government-set annual minimum withdrawal amount for your age. Your annual pension amount is recalculated each year in the same way as the minimum requirements.

  • Documents and Product Disclosure Documents
    You can find the PDS on our Disclosure Documents page under SmartRetirement Income.  
  • Twice monthly payments – With Smart Bundle you receive payments twice a month. You’ll generally get paid on the 8th and 22nd of each month, directly into your bank account. 

  • Flexible options to suit your needs – While Smart Bundle is designed to make your application and pension set-up as easy as possible, we understand that circumstances change. That’s why you have the flexibility to change your mind at any time, online or over the phone. 

The right advice can help you make the right choice

No matter where you’re at in life, the right advice at the right time can help you take charge of your super and retire with confidence. With Mercer Super, accessible advice is always within easy reach. Request a callback.

 


Frequently asked questions

  • What are the pension payment amounts for Smart Bundle?

    The government sets the minimum amount that a pension member must withdraw each year based on their age.  For Transition to Retirement (TTR) members, there is a maximum withdrawal limit of 10% each year. There is no maximum limit for Allocated Pension members.

    Under Smart Bundle, we increase the government's standard minimum drawdown rate by 2% for each age group as shown in the table below.  Each July, we will review your pension payments for any changes to the minimum government drawdown percentage and age group and automatically adjust your pension payments as needed. You don't need to do anything unless you choose to change your pension payment amount.
     

    Age at 30 June review

    		 Minimum Drawdown Percentage
    (from 1 July 2023)    		 Smart Bundle
    Drawdown Percentage
    (Allocated Pension)    		 Smart Bundle
    Drawdown Percentage
    (Transition to Retirement)

    Under age 65

    4%

    6%

    6%

    Age 65-74

    5%

    7%

    N/A

    Age 75-79

    6%

    8%

    N/A

    Age 80-84

    7%

    9%

    N/A

    Age 85-89

    9%

    11%

    N/A

    Age 90-94

    11%

    13%

    N/A

    Age 95 or over

    14%

    16%

    N/A

     

    If you are 60 and over, your allocated Pension and Transition to Retirement pension payments are generally tax-free.

    If you’re under 60, the taxable portion of your pension payments will be taxed at your marginal tax rate, less a 15% tax offset.

    Working out any potential financial and tax scenarios related to Transition to Retirement, Allocated Pensions and age pensions can be complicated, you might want to consider seeking financial advice before setting up a Transition to Retirement or Allocated Pension account.

     

  • How will Smart Bundle help me with my retirement?

    The Smart Bundle option was developed for the purpose of balancing three main retirement objectives for Mercer SmartRetirement Income members:

    • maximising retirement income
    • providing stability and sustainability of retirement income
    • give flexibility when accessing funds


    The Smart Bundle option was designed to help a typical Australian retiree1 achieve these objectives. However, there are always risks with any investment and you should consider your unique financial situation and goals, and seek financial advice before deciding. 

     

  • Can I change my payment or investment option later on?

    If you change either your pension payment amount, payment frequency or investment option, the other options under Smart Bundle will continue. For example, if you choose to switch from the Mercer SmartPath option to Mercer Growth, you will continue to receive a pension payment amount of minimum annual pension percentage plus 2% on a twice per month basis.

    The payment amount and frequency settings in the Smart Bundle take into account the potential investment returns and investment objectives for Mercer SmartPath. Changing these settings may change your expected retirement outcomes. You should consider your unique financial situation and goals, and seek financial advice before deciding.

     

  • Are there extra fees for choosing or exiting Smart Bundle?

    No, there is no additional fee for choosing or exiting the Smart Bundle option. Standard fees (e.g. administration fees and costs, investment fees and costs, and transaction costs) still apply.

     

  • Can I switch to Smart Bundle after the account is opened?

    You cannot select a Smart Bundle option once you’ve opened the account, but you can choose the same account features that apply to Smart Bundle. These are:

    1. Selecting Mercer SmartPath for allocated pensions or Taxed Mercer SmartPath for TTR pensions.
    2. Nominating a percentage pension payment drawdown rate (equivalent to minimum plus 2% for your age)
    3. Selecting your pension payment frequency at twice monthly


    If you wish to continue receiving a pension payment percentage of minimum plus 2% each year, you will need to adjust your nominated percentage payment in line with your age. 

     

  • How can I switch out of Smart Bundle?

    You can change your investment option, pension payment amount and/or payment frequency at any time by logging into your online account or completing the ‘Changing Investment Options’ or ‘Request to Vary your Pension Payment’ form available from the Mercer Super website.

     

  • Do I have any other options other than Smart Bundle?

    Yes. If you prefer to tailor your allocated pension, you can select any pension amount (subject to the required minimum or maximum amount), payment frequency or investment option(s) from our full range of features. Refer to ‘Payment options’ and/or ‘Investments’ sections of the Mercer SmartRetirement Income Product Disclosure Statement for more information.

     

Ready to start your retirement journey?

 

Read the Mercer SmartRetirement Income Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to make sure the product is right for you.
If you don’t have a Mercer Super account, please download and complete the application form.

 

Need more help? We’ve got you covered.

Have questions about Mercer Super or need more information about becoming a member? We’d love to hear from you.

Member Online Support

Member Online support

Log in to your account for more information or to submit an online enquiry.

Contact Our Helpline

Contact our helpline

Visit the member support page or call 1800 682 525, Monday to Friday, 8am-7pm (AEST/ AEDT).

 

1 Based on modelling from our retirement experts, the Smart Bundle option makes the most of retirement savings to provide a reliable income for an average retiree. Assumptions are based on the median retirement age and average balance at retirement for members of the Mercer Super Trust, life expectancy tables from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au) and modest living expenses in retirement (ASFA Retirement Standards, moneysmart.gov.au). Modelling also assumes the retiree is a single homeowner with no other income who is eligible for full age pension. 

2 You can select Smart Bundle at the start of your application. Once you have selected other options outside Smart Bundle, you can’t revert or select Smart Bundle again. You can however choose the same individual options combined in the bundle, but select them manually one by one. Changing any of these settings may change your retirement outcomes. 

Disclaimer: Issued by Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence #235906, the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 (‘Mercer Super’). Any advice is of a general nature only, and does not take into account the personal needs and circumstances of any particular individual. Prior to acting on any information, you need to take into account your own financial circumstances. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement, Product Guide, Insurance Guide, Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a decision about the product, or seek professional advice from a licensed, or appropriately authorised financial adviser if you are unsure of what action to take. 

The material contained in this document is based on information received in good faith from sources within the market and on our understanding of legislation and government press releases at the date of publication which we believe to be reliable and accurate. Neither Mercer nor any of its related parties accepts any responsibility for any inaccuracy.