Important changes to your insurance
Premiums for some cover types are changing, default cover amounts are changing, and we are updating how pre-existing conditions are handled. Here is a quick summary, and what this may mean for your cover.
* If you have insurance, you will see your current premium. To find out what your new premium will be from 1 July 2026, please call 1800 033 426.
These changes will not impact members with open insurance claims.
What’s changing from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, if you have Fixed Death and TPD cover, your premiums will increase by 19.6%.*
Your cover continues automatically. From 1 July 2026 your updated premium will be shown when you login and on your next annual statement.
Things you might want to do:
- Login now to see if you have insurance and see your current premium. To find out what your new premium will be from 1 July, please call 1800 033 426.
- Read the updated Insurance Guide available from 1 July to understand what is covered.
*Standard premium rate changes based on your next birthday will also apply.
If you have Default cover, which is basic Death and Total and Permanent Disablement insurance automatically provided to eligible members, your level of cover will decrease by 16.4% from 1 July 2026. Your premium rate will not change.
You will still hold Default cover. The amount your beneficiaries would receive in the event of a claim will be lower than it is today.
Things you might want to do:
- Login now to see if you have insurance and see your current premium. To find out what your new premium will be from 1 July, please call 1800 033 426.
- Read the updated Insurance Guide available from 1 July to understand what is covered.
- Apply for tailored cover, subject to eligibility and insurer approval, if you would like a different level of cover.
If you have Income Protection cover, your premium rate may change depending on your benefit period and gender.
From 1 July 2026, IP premiums for 5-year and to age 65 benefit periods will increase by 7.8% for males and reduce by 5% for females. Rates for 2-year benefit periods will not change.
Your benefit amount, waiting period and benefit period are not changing. Your updated premium will be shown when you login from 1 July 2026.
Things you might want to do:
- Login now to see if you have insurance and see your current premium. To find out what your new premium will be from 1 July, please call 1800 033 426.
- Review whether your current benefit, waiting period and benefit period still suit your situation.
- The updated Insurance Guide will be available on our website from 1 July.
The Pre-existing Condition (PEC) exclusion is being removed from 1st July 2026. Limited Cover will apply in certain situations until you meet an Active Employment requirement.
If you currently hold insurance cover with no PEC exclusion, your cover will continue in full.
This applies to new cover, and to increases to existing cover, from 1 July 2026. The full terms, including the Active Employment definition, will be in the updated Insurance Guide.
What is Active Employment?
Active Employment generally means you are working, or able to work, at least 30 hours per week in your usual occupation without being limited by illness or injury. You must also not be receiving, or entitled to receive, income support benefits because of illness or injury.
Things you might want to do:
- Read the updated Insurance Guide available from 1 July for the full definition of Limited Cover and Active Employment.
- Contact us about your cover and to find out what your new premium will be from 1 July by calling 1800 033 426.
If you roll over to Bendigo SmartStart Super and want to bring your existing insurance cover with you, the process is becoming simpler. From 1 July 2026, there are fewer health questions for lower levels of cover, and you generally have a 90-day window after your rollover to apply.
When this might apply to you:
- You are consolidating super and have cover with another fund you want to keep.
- You have rolled over to Bendigo SmartStart Super in the last 90 days and have not yet transferred your cover.
When something significant changes in your life, such as getting married or having a child, you can apply to increase your cover under Life Events Cover. From 1 July 2026 we are simplifying how this works.
When this might apply to you:
- You have recently had, or are about to have, a qualifying life event.
- You want to review whether your current level of cover still fits your situation.
