Number 72 - 4 May 2004

Update your personal information

Enclosed with this edition of Supernews is a printout of your current personal information held by the scheme related to your membership number, your name, address and beneficiary details.

Also please find enclosed a reply-paid envelope for the return of the printout to the scheme's mail contractors where any of the information needs to be corrected.

Members are requested to correct the printout as necessary and return it in the enclosed reply-paid envelope as soon as possible but not later than FRIDAY 28 MAY 2004.

Members are advised there is no need to return the printout if there are no corrections required to the information contained on it or you do not wish to change your security password.

Returning the printout where there are no corrections or changes benefits only New Zealand Post as the scheme is required to pay for each reply-paid envelope you post.

Members are reminded that any corrections to the information contained on the printout, apart from changes to the security password and your beneficiary details, can be sent direct to the scheme''s dnistrators, Jacques Martin NZ Ltd, by e-mail on:

nzfire.super@jmnz.co.nz

direct to the Trustees by clicking the e-mail link found in the red band at the bottom of each page at the scheme's web site at:

www.firesuper.co.nz

or by clicking on the link titled 'Access Account Details' on the scheme's home page at:

www.firesuper.co.nz

and following the prompts from there. By utilising the last method set out above you are able to change your security password and your beneficiary details but the form needs to be posted direct to Jacques Martin at the address set out on the top of it.

For the first time your security password is not included on the printout as the Trustees feel that the security of the information held by the scheme could be compromised by including this information with the other information on the printout.

Your security password now contains the number of asterisks that equate to the number of digits that make up your security password. Members with only five asterisks are asked to consider upgrading their password to six digits at this time. This will ensure an even greater level of security and peace of mind.

Members who have not chosen a security password, and therefore have no asterisks in that section of the printout, are advised they will not be able to access any part of the 'Access Account Details' section at the scheme's home page or any details held by the scheme's Administrator on the freephone until a security password has been provided.

This requirement ensures that your personal information cannot be made available to any unauthorised person or persons and assists the scheme in compliance with the Privacy Act.

The Trustees thank members in anticipation of their assistance in dealing with this matter. Thank you !

Keeping in touch

Members are asked not to include any other information in the reply-paid envelope should this be the preferred choice to correct or add any personal information. These envelopes are sent back to the scheme's mail contractors and they will not be sent on to the scheme until after 28 May 2004.

Delays are inevitable also should members retain the envelope and use it to correspond with the scheme at a later time. In such circumstances please use a contact set out on the front page of this Supernews.

Annual Review

Each year the scheme completes an Annual Review which incorporates an audit, establishing the interest rate for the year, updating member accounts and other administrative tasks.

Once again this year the Annual Review is being conducted whilst member details are still 'live' on the web site. Members are still able to access their account balances from the 'Access Account Details' button on the scheme's home page.

Consequently all contributions since 01 April 2004 have been recorded as a continuation of the previous financial year. The interest rate for the year ended 31 March 2004 and the interim interest rate since 01 April 2004 have been set to zero in accordance with the policy of the Trustees.

Once the Annual Review is complete contributions, the interim interest rate since 01 April 2004 and the interest rate for the year ended 31 March 2004 will be included in the appropriate year.

Any members leaving the scheme during the Annual Review - which lasts from 01 April until approximately 11 June 2004 - are advised that benefit payments are made on the basis of the member accumulations in the scheme at 31 March 2004. Once the Annual Review is complete interest for the period from 01 April 2003 until the date of leaving will be calculated and paid to the former member.

0800 MY SUPER

Members are reminded that despite all the other methods available to contact the scheme you are still welcome to call the scheme on 0800 MY SUPER - 0800 69 78737 at any time of the day or night.

Calls made outside the hours of 8.00 am and 5.15 pm will be recorded and responded to the next working day.

Benefit payments

Members are reminded that before any benefit payment can be made all questions in Part 1 of the Cessation Advice and Discharge form must be completed and the form returned to the scheme at the address set out on it.

If the member follows this process and provides bank account details and a bank deposit slip the benefit will be paid no later than ten working days after the cessation of employment with the Fire Service.

No benefit can be paid prior to your final day of service, which includes any leave remaining to be taken, irrespective of any arrangements you may have made.

If you wish to have Supernews and other useful information from the scheme delivered to your screen by e-mail from now on please supply your e-mail address to the scheme Secretary at any of the contact addresses set out on the front page of this Supernews.

The Trustees are mindful of the pace of developing technology and the need to be able to send out relevant information to members as soon as it is available.

It is with this in mind that this method of communication with members has been developed.

All existing arrangements for the delivery of Supernews to members and stations will continue unchanged.

Members are further advised that a significant number of previous issues of Supernews are archived at the scheme's web site. Go to:

www.firesuper.co.nz

and click on Site Map to view these issues.

______________________

BARRY DENT

SCHEME SECRETARY