Member Employer About RBF Print     Home     Site Map     Contact Us     FAQ    
Information for members
Your fund of choice
 

Member Investment Choice

With Member Investment Choice you can choose a range of options to suit your needs. Not all members are best served by a "one-size-fits-all" investment approach.

Members have diverse needs. You should carefully consider your needs, preferences and goals before making a decision.

MIC assists you to match your own needs and goals with the investment style which best suits you.

 

Questions

Who can use Member Investment Choice (MIC)?

What are the MIC options?

What are the fees and charges for each MIC option?

Who will be looking after my investments?

How do I choose an MIC option?

Can I choose a combination of options?

Can I change my choice?

How are investment returns credited to my account?

When will my choice take effect?

What happens if I don't make a choice?

Answers

Who can use Member Investment Choice (MIC)?

Member Investment Choice (MIC) is available to all RBF members who:

Member Investment Choice (MIC) does not apply to Contributory Scheme, Tasmanian Ambulance Service Superannuation Scheme and State Fire Commission Superannuation Scheme benefits. These are "Defined Benefit Schemes". Benefits are defined by a formula and are not affected by the investment performance of the Fund.

Who will be looking after my investments?

The Board utilises the services of internal and external specialist investment managers to invest in the various asset types. The Board undertakes a rigorous selection process in appointing investment managers. These managers are subject to regular review and are accountable to the Board for achieving predetermined performance levels.

Investment managers manage funds on a "sector specialist" basis i.e. each manager has been selected for their expertise in a particular asset (e.g. an investment manager may only invest in Australian shares.)

How Do I Choose An MIC Option?

Every person has different needs.

Some issues you should consider when making your decision are:

  • your long term investment objectives;
  • how much risk you are willing to accept;
  • your desire to increase wealth;
  • how long your funds will be invested; and
  • your personal circumstances.

The RBF Board cannot advise you which option or combination of options best suits your circumstances.

The information on this website, in brochures and at seminars and workshops should help you understand MIC and the level of risk of each option.

Importantly, prior to making an MIC election you must acknowledge that you have read and understood the information contained in both the Member Investment Choice and the Member Investment Choice Options brochures.

It is important that you fully understand MIC before choosing an option. If after reading the information on this website and the "Member Investment Choice" and the "Member Investment Choice Options" brochures you require further information you can arrange a personal interview with RBF's specialist staff.

Once you have made your choice registered members can make an election on-line by selecting their MIC account. Otherwise, fill out an election form and send it to RBF.

Can I choose a combination of options?

You can invest in one option or a combination of options.

If you wish to, you can now create your own portfolio by making allocations to the various asset class based options.

You can:

  • make regular payroll contributions or direct debit contributions from your bank account to only one MIC option; or
  • pay cash contributions or roll-overs to one or more MIC options; or
  • transfer funds between options.

Can I change my choice?

You can change how your funds are invested at any time. You can elect to have:

  • future payroll contributions or direct debit contributions paid into a different MIC option; or
  • elect to have existing funds transferred between MIC options.

Registered members can make an election on-line by selecting their MIC account. Otherwise, fill out an election form and forward to RBF.

There is currently no fee for switching between Member Investment Choice options.

How are investment returns credited to my account?

Investments held by RBF are valued on a weekly basis each Friday. Weekly valuations incorporate the effect of movements in both Australian and International markets for that week. These valuations are then used to calculate the weekly investment return for each of the 14 investment options available to RBF members.

Once the investment returns for a week have been calculated, they are applied to member accounts in arrears effective as at the Friday of the week to which the return relates. In practice, this process normally takes place each Thursday for the week ended the previous Friday with the corresponding movement in your account balance able to be viewed on the RBF Website the following day.

Given that investment returns each week are applied in arrears, it is important to note that when viewing your account balance on the RBF Website, the balance shown will not include the impact, if any, of any investment returns (positive or negative) accrued up to the current date and not yet applied to your account.

When will my choice take effect?

RBF Members are able to switch the investment option or options in which they have funds invested at any time by lodging a Member Investment Choice switching election.

  • Transferring Existing Funds

    Member Investment Choice switching elections in relation to the transfer of existing funds received each week (ended Friday) for RBF Investment and RBF TAS-SG Accounts are processed on a weekly basis in arrears after the crediting rates for that week have been applied. Once processed, Member Investment Choice switching elections take effect from the Saturday following receipt of the election by RBF.

    Member Investment Choice switching elections for RBF Account Based and RBF Term Allocated Pension Accounts are processed on a fortnightly basis in order to allow for the drawdown of pension payments. Such elections are still processed with effect from the Saturday following receipt of the election by RBF.

    Member Investment Choice switching elections can be made by the either of the following methods:

    • By the completion and signing of a paper based "Member Investment Choice - Transfer and Election Form" (PDF/RTF) submitted by either of fax, front counter, post, or scanned and emailed to RBF at super@rbf.com.au; or
    • Registered members can complete and submit the electronic "Member Investment Choice - Transfer & Election Form" on the RBF website.

    The cut-off time for a Member Investment Choice switching election to be included in a given week is as follows:

    • Paper-based :
    • Electronic :

    5.30 p.m. Friday

    11.59 p.m. Friday

  • Allocating Future Contributions

    Member Investment Choice switching elections relating to the allocation of future contributions generally take effect from the day following their receipt by RBF. This period may be slightly longer in the case of future contribution elections lodged using the paper-based Member Investment Choice - Transfer & Election form.

What happens if I don't make a choice?

If you do not choose an option, your future contributions and accumulated balance will be invested in the RBF Actively Managed option.

Your funds will remain invested in the RBF Actively Managed option until you make a choice.