Super SA for South Australian teachers: Triple S, the Pension Scheme and the Lump Sum Scheme

Which Super SA scheme are you in?

Super SA administers South Australia's public sector schemes. They're exempt public sector schemes, not regulated by APRA or ASIC. SA teachers have been able to choose their own fund since 30 November 2022, but Triple S remains the default. Your member statement or the member portal shows your scheme. For the broader SA picture see SA teacher super.

Triple S: what makes it different

Triple S looks like any other accumulation fund, but three features change the planning for an older teacher.

• It's untaxed. No contributions tax is taken on the way in, so the full amount is invested. Tax applies to concessional contributions and earnings when you withdraw or transfer, and the rate depends on your age then.
• Salary sacrifice has no annual cap within Triple S, Super SA says, though a lifetime untaxed plan cap ($1.935m for 2026–27) applies, and if you also get concessional contributions in a taxed fund, Triple S contributions count towards your annual concessional cap ($32,500 for 2026–27, ATO).
• Early access from 55. Super SA says members can consider early retirement from 55, but warns that accessing super before Commonwealth preservation age means extra tax that may be detrimental to your savings.

The Pension Scheme: a lifetime income

The Pension Scheme pays a fortnightly pension for life, generally available when you leave SA public sector employment from 55. You contribute from after-tax salary and build up points, usually one for each month of full-time contributions at your standard rate. Your pension depends on your Entitlement Superannuation Salary, your points, your contribution rate over time, your age at retirement and any part-time work.

• Indexation: twice a year (April and October) in line with the Adelaide CPI. Super SA's published increases were 1.94% in April 2026 and 2.40% in October 2026.
• Spouse: an eligible surviving spouse receives two-thirds of your pension.
• Commutation: you can exchange part or all of the pension for a lump sum within the first 3 months after it starts, and take it as cash or roll it to another product.
• Minimum membership: Super SA notes some members aren't entitled to a pension because they contributed for 120 months or less, or withdrew their balance after resigning.
• Insurance: income protection to 60, plus death and TPD cover, while you're employed.

Super SA doesn't publish a simple multiple for the pension, so the projector or a Super SA estimate is the only way to see your number. The commutation decision in the first three months is permanent and affects your spouse, so it's one to make with advice.

The Lump Sum Scheme: two parts, one payout

The Lump Sum Scheme is a hybrid. The employer component is a defined benefit based on your age at leaving, months of contributory membership, elected contribution rate, part-time periods and ESS. Some members also have a PSESS account: a 3% of salary employer contribution introduced on 1 January 1988 in lieu of a pay rise (PSESS closed 30 June 1992). The member component is your own 0% to 9% after-tax contributions plus rollovers and investment returns (Balanced by default).

Tax: untaxed schemes and the age 60 line

All three Super SA schemes are untaxed: the 15% contributions tax isn't deducted as money goes in, and (for the Lump Sum Scheme) applies with tax on relevant earnings when you leave. Income stream earnings are taxed at up to 15% in TTR phase. The amount that gets concessional treatment is limited by the untaxed plan cap, $1,935,000 per fund for 2026–27 (ATO).

The age that drives tax is the Commonwealth preservation age, not the scheme's 55. For anyone born from 1 July 1964 that's 60 (ATO). Retiring at 55 from the Pension Scheme or Lump Sum Scheme is allowed by the scheme, but the tax on what you receive before 60 can be higher. Super SA publishes a Pension and Lump Sum tax information sheet; ask for your own figures, and a registered tax agent can help with the return.

Part-time in your last years

In both defined benefit schemes, part-time service is built into the formula, so cutting your days lowers what you accrue. In Triple S it simply means lower employer contributions. Before you change your FTE, get an estimate and compare it with the pay difference.

Questions to ask Super SA

Super SA runs webinars and member services, and says it doesn't need an AFS licence for general advice about its own products. For personal advice, it recommends a licensed financial adviser. This page is general information, not personal advice. Plan ahead with our teacher retirement checklist and can teachers retire at 60?.