Suspension

Refers to the period of time a member is exempted from payment of contributions and the receipt of benefits.

Members who have been with the Fund for over 12 months may request to suspend their membership if leaving Australia for more than 4 months or if experiencing financial hardship.

The member will retain their "certified age" under Lifetime Health Cover that applied at the commencement of suspension and no waiting periods will apply (a 12month wait may still apply for Pre-existing ailments) on the recommencement of paying premiums if all waiting periods were served at the time of suspension, and if premiums are recommenced within 1 month of returning from overseas or when Centrelink benefits cease.

Where a member is moving overseas to work other than for the SDA Church, a maximum time limit of two years may be allowed for membership suspension.

For more information, or if you think you might like to suspend your membership, please download the Application for Suspension of Membership form.