{"id":"northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986","name":"NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES' SUPERANNUATION SCHEME RULES 1986","slug":"northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":177057,"registerId":"nt-northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES' SUPERANNUATION SCHEME RULES 1986","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nNORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES'\nSUPERANNUATION SCHEME RULES 1986\nAs in force at 27 February 2026\nTable of provisions\nPart I Preliminary\n1A Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n1 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\nPart II Contributions\n4 Salary for superannuation purposes ................................................ 7\n5 Contributions ................................................................................... 7\n5A Funding of employer-financed benefits during approved leave\nwithout pay ...................................................................................... 9\n5B Salary sacrifice ................................................................................ 9\n5C Voluntary contributions .................................................................... 9\nPart III Benefits\n6 Age retirement benefit ................................................................... 10\n6A Benefit at preservation age ............................................................ 10\n7 Resignation benefit ........................................................................ 11\n8 Retrenchment benefit .................................................................... 11\n9 Death benefit ................................................................................. 11\n10 Invalidity retirement benefit ............................................................ 12\n11 Temporary invalidity income benefit .............................................. 13\n12 Continuing invalidity income benefit .............................................. 14\n13A Crystallisation of benefits ............................................................... 15\n13B Returned benefits .......................................................................... 15\n13D Deduction of surcharge from preserved benefits ........................... 15\nPart IV Membership of certain employees\n14 Definitions ...................................................................................... 16\n15 Application of Part ......................................................................... 16\n16 Application for membership ........................................................... 17\n17 Election to contribute for period prior to entry date ........................ 17\n18 Application of rules 5 and 7 ........................................................... 18\n\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 ii\nPart V Transitional matters for Superannuation\nLegislation Amendment and Repeal Act\n2014\n19 Abolition of reduced benefit classifications .................................... 19\nPart VI Transitional matters for Superannuation\nLegislation Amendment Act 2015\n20 Definitions ...................................................................................... 19\n21 Benefits preserved under rule 13................................................... 19\n22 Continuation of existing accounts for adherents ............................ 20\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 27 February 2026\n____________________\nNORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES'\nSUPERANNUATION SCHEME RULES 1986\nRules under the Superannuation Act 1986\nPart I Preliminary\n1A Citation\nThese Rules may be cited as the Northern Territory Government\nand Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986.\n1 Definitions\nIn these Rules:\naccrued employer component means an amount payable on a\nmember's exit date from the Scheme as calculated by the formula:\naccrued\nemployer\ncomponent\n=\ntotal number of\nannual benefit\npoints\n100\nx benefit\nsalary\nx 2.5.\nannual benefit points means the number of benefit points\nallocated a member each year as calculated by the formula:\nelected\ncontribution\nrate\nx part-time ratio x\nnumber of salary\nperiods in the year for\nwhich\ncontributions made\nNumber of salary\nperiods in the year.\nannual review date means the date specified by the Commissioner\nfor each member as the date each year on which the member's\ncontribution salary and part-time ratio will be determined by the\nmember's employer.\nannuity includes a market linked pension.\n\nPart I Preliminary\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 2\napproved allowance means so much of an allowance, or the value\nof an allowance, specified in the Regulations or these Rules to be\nregarded as part of a member's contribution salary as the\nCommissioner is satisfied has been or is likely to be received by the\nmember in regular payments over a period of not less than\n12 months.\napproved annuity means:\n(a) in relation to a benefit under rule 6(1) or an invalidity\nretirement benefit – an annuity purchased by a former\nmember for his or her life or for a minimum of 10 years; or\n(b) in relation to a death benefit – an annuity purchased by a\ndependant of a deceased member out of moneys referred to\nin rule 9(4) for the life of the dependant or for a minimum of\n10 years.\napproved period of leave without pay means:\n(a) sick leave without pay; or\n(b) maternity leave without pay; or\n(c) a period of leave without pay during which the member\nreceives periodic payments under an Act relating to workers'\ncompensation; or\n(d) with the approval of the Commissioner, a period of leave\nwithout pay during which the member is seconded to an\nemployer not covered by the Scheme; or\n(e) any other period of leave without pay approved by the\nCommissioner.\naverage weekly earnings means the Average Weekly Earnings for\nFull Time Adult Persons, Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings for the\nNorthern Territory as published from time to time in Catalogue\nNumber 6302.0 by the Australian Statistician.\nbenefit means a benefit payable under the Scheme.\n\nPart I Preliminary\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 3\nbenefit salary, in relation to a member, means:\n(a) if the member has 3 or more contribution salaries\ndetermined before the member's exit date – the greater of the\nfollowing:\n(i) the amount equal to the average of the last\n3 contribution salaries before the exit date after those\ncontribution salaries are adjusted to full time equivalent\nvalues and indexed by average weekly earnings to\ncurrent values at the exit date;\n(ii) the amount equal to the average of the last\n3 contribution salaries before the exit date after those\ncontribution salaries are adjusted to full time equivalent\nvalues; or\n(b) if the member has less than 3 contribution salaries determined\nbefore the member's exit date – the amount equal to the\naverage of the contribution salaries before the exit date after\nthose contribution salaries are adjusted to full time equivalent\nvalues and indexed by average weekly earnings to current\nvalues at the exit date.\ncontinuing invalidity income benefit means a benefit payable\nunder rule 12 to a member.\ncontribution salary:\n(a) in relation to a member, other than:\n(i) a member of the Police Force who is not a Police\nAuxiliary or a Police Public Safety officer appointed\nunder section 19 of the Police Administration Act 1978;\nor\n(ii) a person employed as referred to in paragraph (c) of this\ndefinition,\nmeans the actual annual rate of salary and approved\nallowances certified by the member's employer and accepted\nby the Commissioner as payable at the member's entry date\nor annual review date; or\n\nPart I Preliminary\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 4\n(b) in relation to a member of the Police Force (other than a\nPolice Auxiliary, a Police Public Safety officer or a person\nemployed as referred to in paragraph (c) of this definition),\nmeans the sum of:\n(i) 130% of the actual annual rate of salary certified and\naccepted as mentioned in paragraph (a); and\n(ii) the annual amount so certified and accepted of any\nallowance in the nature of a Northern Territory allowance\n(by whatever name called); or\n(c) in relation to a member employed under an Executive\nContract of Employment within the meaning of the Public\nSector Employment and Management Act 1993 or the Public\nSector Employment (Interim Arrangements) Act 1992\n(immediately before its repeal), means the notional salary:\n(i) as defined in the contract; and\n(ii) certified by the member's employer; and\n(iii) accepted by the Commissioner as payable at the\nmember's entry date or annual review date.\ndeath benefit means the benefit payable under rule 9 on the death\nof a member.\nelected contribution rate means the rate of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6% of\ncontribution salary elected by a member as the rate of payment of\nhis or her contributions.\nentry date means the date on which a person became a member.\nexit date means the date on which a person ceased to be a\nmember.\nformer member means a former eligible employee.\ninvalidity retirement benefit means the benefit payable under\nrule 10 to a member.\nmember means an eligible employee.\nNTSSS means the Northern Territory Supplementary\nSuperannuation Scheme.\nNTSSS instrument means the instrument establishing the\nNorthern Territory Supplementary Superannuation Scheme, as in\nforce from time to time.\n\nPart I Preliminary\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 5\npart-time ratio means the ratio obtained by dividing a member's\nactual hours of work by the relevant number of equivalent full-time\nhours of work as at the member's entry date and annual review\ndates or, where in the opinion of the Commissioner this method or\ndate cannot or should not be used, by any other method or at any\nother date determined by the Commissioner.\npreserved benefit means a benefit preserved under rule 13A or\n13B.\nprospective benefit points means the number of prospective\nbenefit points allocated a member who becomes entitled to a death\nor invalidity retirement benefit calculated by the formula:\nprospective\nmembership\nx\nstandard\ncontribution\nrate\nx\npart-time ratio\napplicable at the\nmember's exit\ndate.\nprospective employer component means an amount calculated\nby the formula:\nprospective benefit points x benefit salary x 3.5.\n100\nprospective membership means:\n(a) in relation to a member who on his or her exit date has not\nattained the age of 60 years – subject to paragraphs (b)\nand (c), the number of years (with a part year being expressed\nas a fraction of a whole year) between his or her exit date and\nhis or her sixty fifth birthday or, if sooner, the date on which he\nor she attains his or her maximum retirement age; or\n(b) in relation to a member referred to in paragraph (a) whose\nmaximum retirement age is 65 years, and who on his or her\nexit date has attained the age of 50 years but has not attained\nthe age of 55 years – the number of years calculated in\naccordance with that paragraph reduced by the number of\nyears (with a part year being expressed as a fraction of a\nwhole year) between his or her exit date and his or her fiftieth\nbirthday; or\n(c) in relation to a member who on his or her exit date has\nattained the age of 55 years – the number of years (with a part\nyear being expressed as a fraction of a whole year) between\nhis or her exit date and his or her sixtieth birthday; or\n(d) in relation to a member who on his or her exit date has\nattained the age of 60 years – nil.\n\nPart I Preliminary\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 6\nresign, in relation to a member, means:\n(a) the voluntary cessation of his or her employment; or\n(b) the cessation of that employment where he or she is engaged\non a contract of service for a fixed term or terms and the\ncontract is completed or is otherwise lawfully brought to an\nend.\nretrenchment, in relation to a member, means the involuntary\ntermination of his or her employment as an eligible employee where\nthe termination is expressed to be on the ground that:\n(a) his or her employment is not necessary and his or her position\nis not to be filled; or\n(b) the work for which he or she was engaged is finished; or\n(c) the quantity of work has diminished and rendered necessary a\nreduction in the number of employees,\nbut does not include the termination of his or her employment in a\ncircumstance referred to in paragraph (b) of the definition of resign.\nstandard contribution rate means a contribution rate of 5%.\nsuperannuation guarantee shortfall has the same meaning as in\nthe Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).\nworker's compensation agreement means an agreement\n(whenever entered into) under which:\n(a) an amount is payable instead of periodic payments under\nworkers' compensation legislation; and\n(b) there is no exclusion or limitation of the application of, or the\nrights or entitlements of a person under, that legislation; and\n(c) the amount is repayable if those rights or entitlements are\npursued.\nExample\nAn example of a worker's compensation agreement is a Hopkins agreement, so\ncalled after the decision in Hopkins v Collins-Angus & Robertson Pty Ltd\n(unreported, Angel J, Supreme Court, 21 May 1997).\n\nPart II Contributions\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 7\nPart II Contributions\n4 Salary for superannuation purposes\n(1) A member's contribution salary and part-time ratio at his or her\nentry date and each annual review date shall be certified by his or\nher employer and approved by the Commissioner.\n(2) A member's salary for benefit purposes is his or her benefit salary\nimmediately before his or her exit date.\n(3) Where a member's exit date occurs during or immediately after a\nperiod of leave without pay during which the member was not\neligible to make contributions, the member's benefit salary is to be\ncalculated on contribution salaries determined before the leave.\n(4) Where a member is on an approved period of leave without pay,\nthe Commissioner may, subject to such conditions as he or she\nthinks fit, determine the member's contribution salary during that\napproved period of leave.\n(5) Where a member's contribution salary at an annual review date is\ndetermined to be less than his or her contribution salary\nimmediately before that annual review date and the reason for the\nreduction in contribution salary is not due to his or her undertaking\npart time work, the Commissioner may, on application in writing\nfrom the member, accept the next previous higher contribution\nsalary as the contribution salary for that annual review date.\n5 Contributions\n(1) On or within an approved period after a member's entry date the\nmember must, in an approved form, elect 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6% as the\npercentage of his or her contribution salary to be credited to the\nmember's accumulation account.\n(1A) Subject to this rule, on payment of a member's salary for each pay\nperiod while he or she remains a member and is eligible to make\ncontributions, the amount determined in accordance with\nsubrule (1) is to be deducted from the member's salary and credited\nto the member's accumulation account.\n(2) A member who fails to make an election under clause (1) within the\napproved period shall be deemed to have elected 5% as the\npercentage of his or her contribution salary to be deducted from his\nor her salary and credited to his or her accumulation account.\n(3) A member may, at an approved annual review date, by an election\nin an approved form forwarded to the Commissioner by an\napproved date, vary his or her election under subrule (1) or as\n\nPart II Contributions\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 8\ndeemed under subrule (2) and, subject to this rule, on payment of\nhis or her salary for each pay period while he or she remains a\nmember and is eligible to make contributions, contributions of the\nrate so varied shall be deducted from his or her salary and credited\naccordingly.\n(4) A member must, subject to this rule, make contributions to his or\nher accumulation account despite that:\n(a) he or she is receiving part salary only; or\n(b) he or she is on leave without pay not exceeding 14 days.\n(4A) A member is not required, but is eligible on application in writing to\nthe Commissioner, to make contributions to his or her accumulation\naccount while he or she is on leave without pay exceeding 14 days\nbut not exceeding 3 months.\n(5) A member is not eligible to contribute to his or her accumulation\naccount:\n(a) while on leave without pay exceeding 3 months where that\nleave is not an approved period of leave without pay; or\n(b) while receiving a benefit under rule 11.\n(6) A member is not required, but is eligible on application in writing to\nthe Commissioner, to make contributions to his or her accumulation\naccount while he or she is on an approved period of leave without\npay exceeding 3 months.\n(7) Where a member is required or is eligible to make contributions to\nhis or her accumulation account but is receiving no salary or less\nthan his or her normal salary, the Commissioner may, on\napplication in writing by the member, permit the member to reduce\nhis or her elected contribution rate or to make payment of the\ncontributions falling due in such instalments and at such times as\nthe Commissioner approves and the Commissioner shall make\nsuch adjustments as he or she thinks fit to the annual benefit points\nof the member as fairly reflect the approved arrangements.\n(8) Where an eligible employee voluntarily terminates his or her\nemployment in order to become a candidate for election as a\nmember of the Legislative Assembly, a House of Parliament of the\nCommonwealth or a State not earlier than one month before the\ndate on which nominations for the election closed, he or she shall,\non application in writing to the Commissioner, be deemed for the\npurposes of the Scheme to be an eligible employee on an approved\nperiod of leave without pay for the period between the date of his or\nher terminating his or her employment and the date 2 months after\n\nPart II Contributions\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 1986 9\nthe date of the declaration of the result of the election, unless in the\nmeantime he or she has resumed employment as an eligible\nemployee or has elected to cease to be a member.\n(9) A contribution made while a member is on leave, as mentioned in\nsubrule (4A) or (6), is taken to be a voluntary contribution under\nrule 5C and will not produce an employer-financed benefit for the\npurposes of Part III if:\n(a) the member made the contribution without making an\napplication in writing to the Commissioner under subrule (4A)\nor (6); or\n(b) the member made an application in writing to the\nCommissioner under subrule (4A) or (6) but the member made\nthe contribution without the Commissioner's permission.\n5A Funding of employer-financed benefits during approved leave\nwithout pay\nWhere under these Rules the approval of the Commissioner is\nrequired for a period of leave without pay to constitute an approved\nperiod of leave without pay, it may be a condition of the\nCommissioner's approval that payments to cover the cost of the\nemployer-financed component of benefits accruing during the\nperiod will be made either by the eligible employee or by some\nother person or body.\n5B Salary sacrifice\n(1) A member may elect to participate in an approved salary sacrifice\narrangement.\n(3) An amount sacrificed by a member is not to be taken to be a\nemployer-financed benefit.\n5C Voluntary contributions\n(1) A member who is making contributions to the member's\naccumulation account under rule 5 may elect to make additional\nvoluntary contributions to that account.\n(3) An additional contribution by a member is not to be taken to be a\nemployer-financed benefit.\n\nPart III Benefits\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198610\nPart III Benefits\n6 Age retirement benefit\n(1) A member who retires after attaining the age of 55 years must\nreceive a benefit comprising the accrued employer component, less\nthe amount of the balance of the member's surcharge debt account,\nif any.\n(2) A member who resigns after attaining the age of 55 years shall, for\nthe purposes of this rule, be deemed to have retired.\n(3) Where a former member has received benefit under subrule (1) and\nwithin 90 days, or such longer period as is approved, after receiving\nthe benefit purchases an approved annuity, he or she shall be\nentitled to an annuity bonus equal to 5% of so much of the\npurchase price of the approved annuity as is attributable solely to:\n(a) the contributions made under rule 5 to the accumulation\naccount; and\n(b) the accrued employer component.\n6A Benefit at preservation age\n(1) A member who has attained the preservation age may, in an\napproved form, elect to take a benefit under this rule.\n(2) If a member who is an eligible employee under the NTSSS makes\nan election under clause 6(4) of the NTSSS instrument to take a\nbenefit under that clause, the election also takes effect as an\nelection under subrule (1).\n(3) A member who makes an election under subrule (1) must receive a\nbenefit comprising the accrued employer component, less the\namount of the balance of the member's surcharge debt account, if\nany.\n(4) A member ceases to be an eligible employee when the member\nmakes an election under subrule (1).\n(5) In this rule:\npreservation age, see regulation 6.01(2) of the Superannuation\nIndustry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (Cth).\nNote for rule 6A\nThe administration of the NTGPAS Scheme is subject to the inter-governmental\nagreement mentioned in section 3A of the Act. As a result, payment of a benefit\nunder this rule is subject to the cashing restrictions mentioned in Schedule 1,\n\nPart III Benefits\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198611\nPart 1, item 110 of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994\n(Cth).\n7 Resignation benefit\n(1) A member who resigns, or who ceases to be an eligible employee\nand is not entitled to another benefit under the Scheme, must\nreceive the benefit determined under subrule (1A), if the exit date\noccurs after the first 5 years of membership, excluding periods\nwhen the member was not eligible to contribute.\n(1A) The benefit payable under subrule (1) is equal to:\n(a) the accrued employer component multiplied by X\n60 , where X\nequals the number of complete months of membership during\nwhich the member was eligible to contribute after that first\n5 years of membership but in any case is not greater than 60;\nless\n(b) the amount of the balance of the member's surcharge debt\naccount, if any.\n(2) In calculating a period of membership for the purposes of\nsubrule (1), any prior period of membership during which the\nmember was eligible to contribute may be taken into account.\n8 Retrenchment benefit\nA member who is retrenched must receive a benefit comprising the\naccrued employer component, less the amount of the balance of\nthe member's surcharge debt account, if any.\n9 Death benefit\n(1) Subject to the Act, where a member dies leaving a dependant or\ndependants, there is payable to his or her estate a benefit\ncomprising:\n(b) the accrued employer component; and\n(c) subject to subrule (2), the prospective employer component;\nless the amount of the balance of the member's surcharge debt\naccount, if any.\n\nPart III Benefits\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198612\n(2) An amount payable under subrule (1)(c) must be reduced by any of\nthe following amounts payable to a dependent of a deceased\nmember in respect of the member's death:\n(a) a lump sum benefit payable under workers' compensation\nlegislation;\n(b) an amount payable under a worker's compensation\nagreement.\n(3) If a member dies leaving no dependant, the member's estate must\nreceive the accrued employer component, less the amount of the\nbalance of the member's surcharge debt account, if any.\n(4) Where a benefit under subrule (1) is paid and within 90 days, or\nsuch longer period as is approved, after the benefit is paid a\ndependant of the deceased member participating in the distribution\nof the estate of the deceased member purchases an approved\nannuity, that dependant is entitled to an annuity bonus equal to 5%\nof so much of the amount of the purchase price of the approved\nannuity which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is proportionate\nto the share of that dependant in that part of the net estate and\nwhich can also fairly be attributable solely to:\n(a) the contributions made under rule 5 to the accumulation\naccount; and\n(b) the accrued employer component; and\n(c) the prospective employer component payable under\nsubrule (1)(c).\n10 Invalidity retirement benefit\n(1) A member who is retired from employment on the grounds of\ninvalidity in accordance with section 50 of the Act or who the\nCommissioner determines under subrule (1A) is subject to invalidity\nmust receive a benefit comprising:\n(b) the accrued employer component; and\n(c) subject to subrule (2), the prospective employer component;\nless the amount of the balance of the member's surcharge debt\naccount, if any.\n(1A) The Commissioner may determine that a member who ceases (or\nhas ceased) to be employed is subject to invalidity if the\nCommissioner is satisfied, after considering relevant medical and\nother evidence, that, as at the date of cessation of employment, the\n\nPart III Benefits\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198613\nmember is (or was) physically or mentally so incapacitated that the\nmember is (or was) unfit for any available full-time or part-time\nemployment:\n(a) with an employer whose employees are covered by the\nScheme; and\n(b) for which the member is reasonably qualified by education,\ntraining or experience.\n(2) Where a member on invalidity retirement is also entitled to periodic\npayments for loss of earning capacity under workers' compensation\nlegislation, the prospective employer component of the benefit\nunder subrule (1) is payable only to the extent to which its value\nexceeds:\n(a) the actual or notional redemption value of the periodic\npayments as determined by an approved actuary; or\n(b) an amount payable to the member under a worker's\ncompensation agreement instead of the periodic payments.\n(3) Where a benefit under subrule (1) is paid and within 90 days, or\nsuch longer period as is approved, after it is paid the former\nmember to whom it is paid purchases an approved annuity, he or\nshe is entitled to an annuity bonus equal to 5% of so much of the\npurchase price of the approved annuity as is attributable solely to:\n(a) the contributions made under rule 5 to the accumulation\naccount; and\n(b) the accrued employer component; and\n(c) the prospective employer component payable under\nsubrule (1)(c).\n11 Temporary invalidity income benefit\n(1) Where a member is unable to resume employment because of\nphysical or mental incapacity and, in the opinion of the\nCommissioner, a further period is needed for assessment or\nrehabilitation before a decision can be made on the member's\nretirement on the grounds of invalidity, the Commissioner may\ndetermine that a benefit is payable to the member, in accordance\nwith this rule, to alleviate financial hardship and a benefit so\ndetermined shall be paid accordingly.\n(2) In determining whether a benefit is payable under subrule (1), the\nCommissioner must be satisfied that financial hardship exists and\nshall consider the member's entitlement to paid sick leave, periodic\n\nPart III Benefits\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198614\npayments under workers' compensation legislation, periodic\npayments from disability insurance arrangements and other direct\nor indirect sources of income support.\n(3) The maximum rate of payment for a benefit under subrule (1) is an\namount sufficient to raise the member's current income as an\neligible employee (including paid sick leave, periodic payments\nunder worker's compensation legislation, periodic payments from\ndisability insurance arranged by the member or similar payments)\nto 80% of the member's contribution salary determined at the last\nannual review date prior to the incapacity but may be such lesser\npercentage as the Commissioner determines having regard to\nsubrule (2).\n(4) Payment of a benefit under subrule (1) shall be reviewed regularly\nby the Commissioner and be paid for a maximum period of\n12 months or periods aggregating 12 months.\n12 Continuing invalidity income benefit\n(1) A member who experiences a reduction in salary on the grounds of\nphysical or mental incapacity may apply to the Commissioner for\npayment of a continuing invalidity income benefit.\n(2) Where the Commissioner is satisfied, after considering relevant\nmedical, employment or other evidence, that the reduction in salary\nreferred to in subrule (1) is due to physical or mental incapacity, he\nor she may approve payment of a continuing invalidity income\nbenefit and the benefit shall be paid accordingly.\n(4) The rate of payment of a benefit under subrule (2) is 80% of the\ndifference between the reduced salary and the salary received prior\nto incapacity.\n(5) Salaries referred to in subrules (4) and (6) include any periodic\npayments received by the member under workers' compensation\nlegislation.\n(5A) In calculating a benefit under subrule (2), there shall be disregarded\nso much of any reduction in salary as is attributable to a change in\nthe number of hours worked by the member.\n(6) The rate of payment of a benefit under subrule (2) remains constant\n(it is not indexed) but may be reviewed where the Commissioner\ndetermines that a change is warranted after considering any\nchange in the salary currently being received by the member after a\nbenefit has been paid under that subrule.\n(7) Payment of a benefit under subrule (2) to a member ceases on his\nor her ceasing to be a member.\n\nPart III Benefits\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198615\n(8) A benefit under subrule (2) shall be regarded as an approved\nallowance for the purpose of determining contribution salary at an\nannual review date.\n13A Crystallisation of benefits\n(1) Subrule (2) applies if:\n(a) a benefit that includes an employer-financed benefit becomes\npayable to a person; and\n(b) the benefit has not been paid or rolled over into another\nsuperannuation fund.\n(2) The Commissioner may crystallise the benefit by:\n(a) calculating the amount of the employer-financed benefits due\nto the person as at the person's exit date; and\n(b) paying that amount to the ATO in accordance with\nsection 22(1) of the Superannuation (Unclaimed Money and\nLost Members) Act 1999 (Cth), if the Commissioner believes\non reasonable grounds that paying the amount to the ATO is\nin the best interests of the person to whom the\nemployer-financed benefit would otherwise be payable.\n13B Returned benefits\nIf the whole or part of a benefit paid to or on behalf of a former\nmember is returned to the Commissioner, the Commissioner must\ncause the benefit to be repaid into the Central Holding Authority,\nand the former member remains entitled to payment of the returned\nbenefit.\n13D Deduction of surcharge from preserved benefits\n(1) This rule applies if:\n(a) a former member has a preserved benefit; and\n(b) on or after the commencement of the Surcharge Collection\nAct, the Commissioner received or receives an assessment of\nsuperannuation contributions surcharge payable by the\nmember.\nNote for subrule (1)(b)\nThe Surcharge Collection Act commenced on 5 June 1997.\n\nPart IV Membership of certain employees\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198616\n(2) The Commissioner must, by notice in writing:\n(a) inform the former member of the assessment; and\n(b) advise the former member that the member may:\n(i) pay the amount of the assessment to the Commissioner\nwho will then pay it to the Commissioner of Taxation; or\n(ii) authorise the Commissioner to deduct the amount of the\nassessment from the member's accrued employer\ncomponent and pay it to the Commissioner of Taxation;\nand\n(c) advise the former member that, if the member does not take\nany action in accordance with paragraph (b) within the period\nspecified in the notice, the Commissioner will deduct the\namount of the assessment from the member's accrued\nemployer component and pay it to the Commissioner of\nTaxation.\n(3) If the former member does not take any action in accordance with\nsubrule (2)(b) within the period specified in the notice, the\nCommissioner must deduct the amount of the assessment from the\nmember's accrued employer component and pay it to the\nCommissioner of Taxation.\nPart IV Membership of certain employees\n14 Definitions\n(1) In rule 15(1) and (3):\ncommencement day means the day on which this Part comes into\noperation.\n(2) In rule 17:\nentry date, for a person, means the date on which the person's\napplication was accepted by the Commissioner under rule 16(2).\n15 Application of Part\n(1) This Part applies despite anything to the contrary in these Rules.\n(2) Subject to subrule (3), this Part applies to a person who:\n(a) on the commencement day, is a permanent employee with the\nTerritory or a public authority; and\n\nPart IV Membership of certain employees\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198617\n(b) has been in continuous employment with the Territory or a\npublic authority that commenced before 10 August 1999; and\n(c) on the commencement day, is not a member.\n(3) This Part applies in relation to the person only if one of the following\napplies:\n(a) the person became a permanent employee before\n10 August 1999 but, because a declaration under\nsection 3(2)(a) of the Act was in force in respect of the person,\nwas not a member on that date;\n(b) the person became a permanent employee before\n10 August 1999 but, for some other reason, was not a\nmember on 10 August 1999;\n(c) the person became a permanent employee on or after\n10 August 1999;\n(d) the person is otherwise entitled to be a member.\n16 Application for membership\n(1) The person may, within 3 months after the commencement day or\nany further period allowed by the Commissioner, apply to the\nCommissioner to become a member.\n(2) The Commissioner must consider the application and accept or\nrefuse to accept it.\n(3) If the Commissioner accepts the application, rules 17 and 18 apply.\n17 Election to contribute for period prior to entry date\n(1) The person may elect to contribute to his or her accumulation\naccount 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 % of his or her salary for the period\ncommencing on the later of the date on which the person became a\npermanent employee and 10 August 1999 and ending on the day\nbefore the person's entry date.\n(2) The person's salary for subrule (1) must be determined in\naccordance with rule 4 as if:\n(a) the person had been a member for that period; and\n(b) the person's entry date were the later of the date on which the\nperson became a permanent employee and 10 August 1999.\n\nPart IV Membership of certain employees\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198618\n(3) The amount payable under subrule (1):\n(a) must be paid to the Commissioner within 12 months after the\nperson's entry date or any further period allowed by the\nCommissioner; and\n(b) may be paid in instalments, but cannot be paid by way of\nsalary sacrifice or rollover.\n(4) On receipt of that amount, the Commissioner must determine, after\nconsidering any actuarial advice he or she thinks appropriate, the\nnumber of benefit points to be allocated to the person as at the\nperson's entry date.\n(5) If, at the end of the period for payment of that amount, the\nCommissioner has received only part of that amount, the\nCommissioner must determine the number of benefit points to be\nallocated to the person as at the person's entry date in accordance\nwith the following formula:\nBP x AR\nAP\nwhere:\nBP is the number of benefit points the Commissioner would have\nallocated to the person under subrule (4) if the amount\npayable under subrule (1) had been received.\nAR is the amount received.\nAP is the amount payable under subrule (1).\n(6) For the purpose of calculating the person's accrued employer\ncomponent, the person's total number of annual benefit points\nincludes the number of benefit points allocated to the person under\nsubrule (4) or (5).\n18 Application of rules 5 and 7\n(3) For rule 5, the person's entry date is taken to be the date on which\nthe person's application was accepted by the Commissioner under\nrule 16(2).\n(4) For rule 7, the period of membership during which the person was\neligible to contribute is taken to include any period the person would\nhave been a member eligible to contribute had the person become\na member on the later of the date on which the person became a\npermanent employee and 10 August 1999.\n\nPart VI Transitional matters for Superannuation Legislation Amendment Act 2015\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198619\nPart V Transitional matters for Superannuation\nLegislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2014\n19 Abolition of reduced benefit classifications\n(1) These Rules, as amended by sections 51, 52, 53, 54(2) and 55 of\nthe 2014 Act, apply in relation to a benefit under rule 9 or 10 only if\nthe trigger for the benefit occurs on or after the commencement.\n(2) These Rules, as in force before the commencement, continue to\napply in relation to a benefit under rule 9 or 10 if the trigger for the\nbenefit occurred before the commencement.\n(3) In this rule:\n2014 Act means the Superannuation Legislation Amendment and\nRepeal Act 2014.\ncommencement means the commencement of section 52 of the\n2014 Act.\ntrigger, for a benefit under rule 9 or 10, means the death or\nretirement mentioned in those rules as a result of which the benefit\nis payable.\nPart VI Transitional matters for Superannuation\nLegislation Amendment Act 2015\n20 Definitions\nIn this Division:\n2015 Act means the Superannuation Legislation Amendment\nAct 2015.\ncommencement means the commencement of Part 3 of the 2015\nAct.\nexisting account means an accumulation account in the name of\nan adherent that was in existence immediately before the\ncommencement.\n21 Benefits preserved under rule 13\n(1) This rule applies if:\n(a) a benefit had been preserved under rule 13 before the\ncommencement of section 12 of the 2015 Act; and\n\nPart VI Transitional matters for Superannuation Legislation Amendment Act 2015\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198620\n(b) the benefit has not been paid or transferred to another\nsuperannuation fund.\n(2) Despite the amendment of the definition preserved benefit in\nrule 1 by the 2015 Act, the benefit is a preserved benefit.\n22 Continuation of existing accounts for adherents\nRules 5E, 5F and 13C, as in force before the commencement,\ncontinue to apply in relation to an existing account as if sections 11\nand 14 of the 2015 Act had not commenced.\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198621\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY Key to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules\n(Act No. 38, 1986 (sch to Superannuation Act, s 37))\nAssent date 19 September 1986\nCommenced 1 October 1986 (Gaz S70, 1 October 1986, p 2)\nSuperannuation Amendment Act 1987 (Act No. 56, 1987)\nAssent date 14 December 1987\nCommenced s 14: 1 October 1986; rem: 1 January 1988 (s 2)\nNotice Amending Scheme Rules under Superannuation Act (SL No. 36, 1992)\nNotified 4 August 1992\nCommenced 4 August 1992\nAmendments of Scheme Rules (SL No. 8, 1993)\nNotified 2 June 1993\nCommenced 2 June 1993\nSuperannuation Amendment Act 1998 (Act No. 69, 1998)\nAssent date 23 September 1998\nCommenced 20 October 1998 (Gaz S41, 20 October 1998)\nAmendments of Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities'\nSuperannuation Scheme Rules (SL No. 37, 2001)\nNotified 25 July 2001\nCommenced 25 July 2001\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme\nAmendment Rules 2005 (SL No. 24, 2005)\nNotified 20 July 2005\nCommenced r 6: 12 November 2003; rem: 20 July 2005 (r 2 and Gaz G29,\n20 July 2005, p 3)\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198622\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme\nAmendment Rules 2006 (SL No. 13, 2006)\nNotified 3 May 2006\nCommenced rr 3 and 6: 21 January 2005; rem: 3 May 2006 (r 2 and Gaz\nG18, 3 May 2006, p 2))\nSuperannuation Law Reform Act 2007 (Act No. 36, 2007)\nAssent 12 December 2007\nCommenced 23 January 2008 (Gaz G3, 23 January 2008, p 3)\nSuperannuation Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (Act No. 42, 2010)\nAssent date 13 December 2010\nCommenced pt 1, pt 2, divs 1 to 3 and pt 4: 1 January 2011 (Gaz S75,\n23 December 2010); rem: 15 March 2011 (Gaz S13,\n14 March 2011)\nSuperannuation Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2014 (Act No. 39, 2014)\nAssent date 13 November 2014\nCommenced pts 1 and 2: 13 November 2014 (s 2); pts 3 and 5: 1 July 2015\n(Gaz G21, 27 May 2015, p 2); pt 4: nc\nSuperannuation Legislation Amendment Act 2015 (Act No. 32, 2015)\nAssent date 8 December 2015\nCommenced pt 2, div 3 and pt 3: 15 January 2016 (Gaz S2,\n14 January 2016); rem: 8 December 2015 (s 2)\nSuperannuation Legislation Amendment Act 2019 (Act No. 3, 2019)\nAssent date 27 February 2019\nCommenced pts 1 and 2: 2019 (s 2); pt 3: 12 April 2019 (Gaz S20,\n10 April 2019); pt 4: 8 May 2019 (Gaz S30, 7 May 2019);\npts 5 and 6: 26 June 2019 (Gaz G26, 26 June 2019, p 6)\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme\nAmendment Rules 2019 (SL No. 21, 2019)\nNotified date 14 August 2019\nCommenced 14 August 2019\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme\nAmendment Rules 2021 (SL No. 14, 2021)\nNotified date 13 October 2021\nCommenced 13 October 2021\nHousing, Transport and Surveillance Devices Legislation Amendment (Police Public\nSafety Officers) Act 2025 (Act No. 36, 2025)\nAssent date 5 December 2025\nCommenced pts 1 and 5: 27 February 2026 (Gaz S13, 26 February 2026);\nrem: nc\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: rr 1A and 1.\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198623\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 1A ins No. 37, 2001, r 2\nr 1 amd Act No. 56, 1987, s 16; No. 36, 1992; Act No. 69, 1998, s 10; No. 24,\n2005, r 4; No. 13, 2006, r 4; Act No. 36, 2007, s 39; Act No. 42, 2010, s 29;\nAct No. 39, 2014, s 50; Act No. 32, 2015, s 10; Act No. 3, 2019, s 41; No. 21,\n2019, r 4; No. 14, 2021, r 4; Act No. 36, 2025, s 41\npt II hdg sub Act No. 39, 2014, s 51\nr 2 amd Act No. 69, 1998, s 10\nrep Act No. 39, 2014, s 52\nr 3 amd Act No. 69, 1998, s 10; Act No. 42, 2010, s 32\nrep Act No. 39, 2014, s 52\nr 4 amd Act No. 56, 1987, s 16; Act No. 69, 1998, s 10; No. 21, 2019, r 5\nr 5 amd Act No. 69, 1998, s 10; No. 24, 2005, r 5; Act No. 3, 2019, s 42\nr 5A ins Act No. 56, 1987, s 16\nr 5B ins No. 37, 2001, r 3\namd Act No. 36, 2007, s 39; Act No. 3, 2019, s 43\nr 5C ins No. 37, 2001, r 3\namd Act No. 36, 2007, s 39; Act No. 3, 2019, s 44\nr 5D ins No. 24, 2005, r 6\namd No. 13, 2006, r 5; Act No. 36, 2007, s 39\nrep Act No. 3, 2019, s 45\nr 5E ins No. 13, 2006, r 6\namd Act No. 36, 2007, s 39\nrep Act No. 32, 2015, s11\nr 5F ins No. 13, 2006, r 6\namd Act No. 36, 2007, s 39\nrep Act No. 32, 2015, s11\nr 6 amd No. 8, 1993, r 1; Act No. 69, 1998, ss 9 and 10; No. 24, 2005, r 7; Act\nNo. 3, 2019, s 46\nr 6A ins Act No. 42, 2010, s 30\namd Act No. 3, 2019, s 47\nr 7 amd Act No. 69, 1998, s 9; Act No. 3, 2019, s 48\nr 8 sub Act No. 69, 1998, s 9; Act No. 3, 2019, s 49\nr 9 amd Act No. 69, 1998, ss 9 and 10; No. 24, 2005, r 8; No. 13, 2006, r 7; Act\nNo. 42, 2010, s 32; Act No. 39, 2014, s 53; Act No. 3, 2019, s 50\nr 10 amd Act No. 56, 1987, s 16; No. 8, 1993, r 2; Act No. 69, 1998, s 9; No. 24,\n2005, r 9; No. 13, 2006, r 8; Act No. 42, 2010, s 32; Act No. 39, 2014, s 54;\nAct No. 3, 2019, s 51\nr 12 amd Act No. 56, 1987, s 167; Act No. 69, 1998, s 10; Act No. 39, 2014, s 55\nr 13 amd Act No. 36, 2007, s 39\namd Act No. 39, 2014, s 56\nrep Act No. 32, 2015, s12\nr 13A ins No. 13, 2006, r 9\namd Act No. 39, 2014, s 56\nsub Act No. 32, 2015, s12\namd Act No. 3, 2019, s 52; No. 14, 2021, r 5\nr 13B ins No. 13, 2006, r 9\namd Act No. 32, 2015, s13; Act No. 3, 2019, s 53\nr 13C ins No. 13, 2006, r 9\nsub Act No. 42, 2010, s 31\namd Act No. 32, 2015, s14\nrep Act No. 3, 2019, s 54\nr 13D ins No. 13, 2006, r 9\namd Act No. 3, 2019, s 55\npt IV hdg ins No. 24, 2005, r 10\nr 14 ins No. 24, 2005, r 10\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme Rules 198624\nr 15 ins No. 24, 2005, r 10\namd Act No. 42, 2010, s 32\nr 16 ins No. 24, 2005, r 10\nr 17 ins No. 24, 2005, r 10\namd Act No. 42, 2010, s 32\nr 18 ins No. 24, 2005, r 10\namd Act No. 39, 2014, s 57\npt V hdg ins Act No. 39, 2014, s 58\nr 19 ins Act No. 39, 2014, s 58\npt VI hdg ins Act No. 32, 2015, s15\nrr 20 – 22 ins Act No. 32, 2015, s15","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1986 rules were created at the time of NT self-government to establish a foundational public sector superannuation scheme. Over nearly four decades, the scope has almost certainly expanded or been modified to reflect changes in Commonwealth superannuation law, preservation requirements, choice of fund legislation, and modern benefit structures. The very long commencement delay on this 2021 iteration suggests significant structural changes that go beyond routine maintenance, indicating the scope of the rules has evolved considerably from the original 1986 instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Superannuation law is inherently technical, involving actuarial calculations, benefit formulas, and financial regulations","The scheme covers multiple categories of employees and public authorities, each potentially with different entitlements","Interaction with broader Commonwealth superannuation legislation (e.g., Superannuation Industry Supervision Act) adds a layer of complexity","Multiple benefit types (retirement, resignation, death, disability, redundancy) each with their own rules and calculations","Long commencement delay (over 4 years from making to commencement) suggests substantial transitional arrangements exist","As a reprint (REPS030R2), the document incorporates amendments made over decades since 1986, layering multiple changes","Defined benefit scheme rules are more complex than standard accumulation fund rules, often involving service periods, salary averaging, and preservation requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"These Rules set the operational framework for the Northern Territory Government’s superannuation scheme — determining how retirement savings for NT Government and public authority employees are governed, who they cover, and how benefits and administration are handled. They matter because they shape the primary source of many public servants’ retirement income. Note: although made in 2021, they do not take effect until 27 February 2026."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. Successive amendments have altered who and when particular provisions apply and added new mechanisms. Notable changes include abolition of reduced‑benefit classifications for benefits triggered on/after the 2014 commencement (rule 19), insertion of crystallisation and unclaimed‑money procedures (rule 13A) and returned‑benefit handling (rule 13B), new surcharge deduction and notice procedures (rule 13D), introduction of salary‑sacrifice and voluntary contribution rules (rules 5B, 5C), and transitional preservation of pre‑amendment preserved benefits (rules 21–22). These changes shift scope for benefit triggers, ATO interaction, Commissioner discretion and member payment obligations."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive defined terminology and formulae for benefit calculation (e.g. accrued employer component, benefit salary, prospective employer component, prospective membership) — see Definitions (rules 1 and following) and rules 6–10.","Multiple benefit types with different triggers and calculation methods (age, preservation age, resignation, retrenchment, death, invalidity, temporary and continuing invalidity) — see rules 6, 6A, 7–12.","Discretion vested in the Commissioner to approve salaries, leave, reduced contribution arrangements, invalidity determinations, annuity bonuses and crystallisation — see rules 4(1),(4),(5), 5(7), 10(1A), 11(1)–(2), 13A(2), 13D(2).","Member choices and timing requirements (elected contribution rate, annual review elections, retrospective contribution elections, payment windows) create compliance obligations — see rules 5(1)–(4), 5(3), 16–18, 17(3).","Interactions with other laws and external bodies increase complexity: Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations (note to rule 6A), ATO payments under the Unclaimed Money Act (rule 13A), and Surcharge Collection Act obligations (rule 13D).","Actuarial determinations and proportional allocations for retrospective contributions and annuity bonuses require technical assessments (rules 17(4)–(5), 6(3), 9(4), 10(3)).","Transitional provisions and staged amendments retain different rules depending on a benefit's trigger date, requiring historical rule‑selection (rules 19, 21–22).","Administrative processes for notices, deductions and payments (e.g. surcharge notices, employer-funded contributions during leave) impose operational burdens on employers, members and the Commissioner — see rules 5A, 13D, 5(8).","Multiple contribution types (standard, elected, voluntary, salary sacrifice) with distinct treatment for employer‑financed benefits and accumulation accounts — see rules 5, 5B, 5C."],"plain_english_summary":"These Rules set how members of the Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme make contributions, how employers fund the employer-financed component, and how benefits (retirement, resignation, retrenchment, death, invalidity and preserved benefits) are calculated and paid. They govern member elections, timing and collection of contributions, actuarial allocations, Commissioner powers, and interactions with Commonwealth rules and the ATO. The instrument affects eligible Territory and public‑authority employees, former members and dependants, and determines who pays what, when, and by what administrative process."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 1986 purpose of establishing a basic superannuation scheme for NT public servants. It now incorporates: (1) salary sacrifice arrangements (2001), (2) complex preservation age and transition-to-retirement rules (2010), (3) abolition of reduced benefit classifications with transitional protections (2014), (4) crystallisation of unclaimed benefits and ATO payment mechanisms (2015), (5) special provisions for police public safety officers (2025), and (6) extensive Commonwealth compliance requirements (SIS Act, superannuation guarantee, surcharge collection). The scheme has evolved from a simple employer-sponsored pension to a hybrid system accommodating 40 years of superannuation law reform, workforce flexibility (part-time, contract work), and modern preservation requirements."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple mathematical formulas for calculating benefits (accrued employer component, annual benefit points, prospective benefit points, prospective employer component) with nested variables","Extensive defined terms section with 25+ specialised definitions including complex concepts like 'benefit salary' (which itself has 3 different calculation methods depending on service length)","Special salary calculations for police (130% multiplier) and executive contract employees (notional salary)","Conditional logic for leave without pay — different rules for <14 days, 14 days-3 months, >3 months, and 'approved' vs non-approved leave","Cross-references to Commonwealth legislation (Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations, Superannuation Guarantee Act, Superannuation (Unclaimed Money) Act)","Transitional provisions spanning three separate amending Acts (2014, 2015, and earlier amendments) with complex commencement rules","Nested exceptions in benefit calculations — particularly for invalidity benefits which must be reduced by workers compensation payments","Preservation age rules and surcharge debt account deductions adding layers of compliance complexity","Part IV creates a special membership pathway for pre-1999 employees with back-payment calculations and pro-rata benefit point formulas"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation sets up the **Northern Territory Government and Public Authorities' Superannuation Scheme** — essentially the pension plan for NT public servants and employees of public authorities.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Establishes a **defined benefit superannuation scheme** where retirement payouts are calculated based on salary history and years of service, rather than just investment returns.\n- Requires members to contribute **2-6% of their salary** (defaulting to 5% if they don't choose), with the Territory government topping up employer contributions.\n- Calculates benefits using a points system: members accumulate \"annual benefit points\" based on their contribution rate, part-time status, and service length.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Eligible employees** of the Northern Territory Government and public authorities (including police officers, who get special salary calculations).\n- **Part-time workers** — their benefits are adjusted proportionally.\n- **Employees on leave** — special rules cover maternity leave, sick leave, and secondments.\n- **Long-term employees** who started before 1999 but weren't previously members — they can back-pay contributions to cover earlier service.\n\n**Key benefits available:**\n- **Age retirement benefit** — available from age 55, calculated on final average salary.\n- **Resignation benefit** — partial employer contributions if you leave after 5+ years (scaled up over 10 years).\n- **Retrenchment benefit** — full employer component if made redundant.\n- **Death and invalidity benefits** — include both accrued benefits *and* prospective benefits (future service you would have worked until retirement age).\n- **Income protection** — temporary and continuing payments if you can't work due to illness or injury.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is a **legacy defined benefit scheme** — increasingly rare in Australia where most workers now have accumulation-style super. It provides more predictable retirement incomes but is expensive for governments to fund. The rules are complex because they must account for 40 years of service variations, part-time work, leave periods, and multiple legislative amendments while ensuring fairness between different generations of public servants."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986","history":"/api/acts/northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986/history","analysis":"/api/acts/northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/northern-territory-government-and-public-authorities-superannuation-scheme-rules-1986/documents"}}