Who can receive your super when you die and how can you ensure your wishes are carried out?
It’s a hot topic among our readers, so SuperGuide contributor and superannuation technical expert Graeme Colley has answered some of our reader’s questions below.
We also recommend you watch our webinar with Graeme on death benefit nominations.
See also Part 1 and Part 2 of the Q&As.
Q: Do children living away from home earning their own income classify as dependants?
All children of the deceased are ‘dependants’ for superannuation purposes, with one exception as indicated below. A child includes an adopted child, a stepchild or an ex-nuptial child of the person.
At common law, a stepchild means a child of a husband or wife by a former marriage. The continued existence of a stepchild/stepparent relationship depends on the continuity of the marriage of the child’s natural parent with the stepparent. If the marriage ends, either by divorce or death, the stepchild/stepparent relationship will cease (see ATO ID 2011/77)
Learn more about death benefit dependants and why it matters
