Our strategies
The State Authorities Superannuation Scheme (SASS) is classified as a hybrid scheme because it has both a defined benefit component and an accumulation benefit component. The SASS accumulation benefit component includes the member's personal account balance, which is directly affected by investment returns (positive or negative). For SASS members who have deferred their benefit, the defined benefit component is also affected by investment returns (positive or negative), as this component is adjusted during the deferral period in line with the returns of the member's chosen investment strategy.
SASS members have a choice of four investment strategies for their accumulation benefit component:
Please refer to SASS Fact Sheet 15: Choosing an investment strategy for more information on the four investment strategies, including their investment objectives and asset allocations. This fact sheet also provides information on fees and switching, and discusses some of the important factors members should consider when choosing an investment strategy, including risk and return, diversification and their investment timeframe.
The below links provide important information about each of the State Super investment strategies including strategic asset allocation, dynamic asset allocation range, investment objective (including return and time horizon), standard risk measure and a breakdown of the strategic asset allocation for the different sectors within each of the main asset classes.
What parts of my benefit are subject to investment choice?
For contributory members only your SASS personal account is subject to investment choice.
For deferred benefit members all of your SASS benefit is subject to investment choice (i.e. your SASS personal account and the employer-financed part of your SASS benefit).
What if I haven't made a choice?
If you have not previously chosen an investment strategy, the parts of your benefits that are subject to investment choice will be invested in the SASS member investment choice default strategy: the Growth Strategy and will remain in that strategy unless you make a choice in the future.
How are the remaining parts of my benefit invested?
For contributory members the parts of your benefit that are not subject to investment choice will be invested in one of the three defined benefit investment strategies. This will be the Trustee Selection Strategy for most contributory SASS members. The exception to this is contributory members whose employer-financed benefits are funded by a NSW university, in which case, Trustee Selection will be replaced by either the University Conservative Diversified Strategy or the University Cash Strategy.
The parts of a contributory member's benefit that are not subject to member investment choice are:
- the employer-financed part of your SASS benefit
- the SANCS lump sum basic benefit
- Additional Employer Contributions (AEC), Commonwealth Government co-contribution and Low Income Superannuation Contribution (LISC) amounts as well as any SG shortfall amount where applicable.
For deferred benefit members the parts of your benefit that are not subject to investment choice will be invested in the Growth Strategy.
The parts of a deferred member's benefit that are not subject to member investment choice are:
- the SANCS lump sum basic benefit
- Additional Employer Contributions (AEC), Commonwealth Government co-contribution and LISC amounts as well as any SG shortfall amount where applicable.