Child pensions

On the death of a deferred SSS pension member, benefits are payable to eligible children. An eligible child is a child of the deceased member or member's spouse or de facto partner who is under age 18, or between the ages of 18 and 25, where the child is enrolled in full-time study with an approved educational institution. 

The benefit for each child is generally a fortnightly pension which is payable to the surviving parent or guardian of the child.

Benefits payable where the deceased is not survived by an eligible spouse 

On the death of a contributor who is not survived by an eligible spouse but is survived by an eligible child, the benefit payable is either: 

• a lump sum equal to the deceased's withdrawal benefit from the scheme, or 
• a refund of the deceased's personal contributions paid to SSS, plus a fortnightly pension for each eligible child. 

These benefits are paid to the legal representative of the deceased SSS member. 

Child pensions receive annual cost-of-living adjustments, based on movements in the Consumer Price (All Groups Sydney) Index. For more information, please refer to SSS Fact Sheet 12: Child pensions.