Apply for a significant financial hardship or funeral benefit

You may be able to use some of your savings if you are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant financial hardship. Specifically, this means you are unable to meet health-related or funeral expenses or because you are unable to meet your basic living expenses or other necessary expenses. You can only withdraw money from your member account (or your voluntary account and/or salary sacrifice account if you have one).

This is not an automatic benefit. The purpose of the Plan is to help provide financial security for you in retirement. It is not a lending institution. We must follow strict guidelines when deciding whether or not to grant your application. You will need to provide evidence that you have sought budgeting advice. We’ll also need proof you’ve trimmed your spending as much as possible. That includes extras like Sky TV and hire purchase or credit card debt for luxury items like large TVs. For example, we will look to see if you have unnecessarily high telephone and mobile costs or your household is running multiple vehicles.

Expect the application process to take five to eight weeks from when we receive all the information we need.

The chart below outlines the circumstances in which you may qualify for a benefit and the information you will need to provide. Your employer may also be asked to comment on your situation.

Reason for application

Information required

I need help to meet the cost of my or a dependant’s medical treatment for an illness or injury.

I need help to meet the cost of modifying a home to meet my or a dependant’s special needs arising from a disability.

I need help to meet the cost of palliative care for myself or a dependant.

Completed Significant financial hardship form. Call the Super Plan office and we'll send you one (0800 697 728 - choose option 2).
Letter outlining your situation
Letter and statement of position from New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services budget advisor (see below)
Proof of dependency status (birth certificate, marriage certificate etc.) if applicable
Proof of costs (bills or quotes) or medical recommendations from doctor/hospital
Three months’ bank and credit card statements
Payslips for three pay periods
Copies of outstanding bills (rates, power, insurance etc.)
Finance company statements and/or hire purchase documentation (if any)

I need help to meet the cost of a dependant’s funeral.

Completed Significant financial hardship form. Call the Super Plan office and we'll send you one (0800 697 728 - choose option 2).
Proof of dependency status (birth certificate, marriage certificate etc.)
Proof of costs (bills for funeral expenses).

I am unable to meet my minimum living expenses or other necessary expenses.

Completed Significant financial hardship form. Call the Super Plan office and we'll send you one (0800 697 728 - choose option 2).
Letter outlining your situation
Letter and statement of position from a New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services budget advisor (see below)
Three months’ bank and credit card statements
Payslips for three pay periods
Copies of outstanding bills (rates, power, insurance etc)
Finance company statements and/or hire purchase documentation (if any)

I am unable to meet mortgage repayments on my family home.

You may be eligible for a subsequent home benefit.

Call us to talk through your options if you believe you are suffering or are likely to suffer significant financial hardship for a reason other than those covered here. We may be able to help depending on the circumstances. Call 0800 697 728 (choose option 2).

Budgeting advice

You must get budgeting advice before we will consider your application. (The only exception is if you are applying for a benefit because you are unable to meet the cost of a dependant’s funeral.) You can access free and confidential budgeting advice through Benestar:

· Create an account at www.benestar.com (use the company ID: NZP and the token NZP01). You can then book an appointment with someone who can help. Once you’ve registered, you can download the Benestar app to your mobile.

A budget advisor will help you prepare a worksheet detailing what you earn and what you spend; what you own and what you owe. This will help you and us understand your financial position more clearly. They will also provide written recommendations on the steps you can take to improve your situation.