The simple answer is convenience. When a member dies, we simply need to be advised of their death together with the name of the funeral director being used, and we will organise for the claim to be processed without the family needing to complete any paperwork. There are also other advantages for using Sureplan Gold for your funeral preplanning or prepaid funeral plans, including:

The amount deposited and accumulated interest (bonuses) can be exempt from the Income and Assets Test for Centrelink and DVA pensioners
The annual interest (bonus) credited to your funeral bond is not subject to taxation in your hands in that year. The accumulated bonus amount included in the funeral benefit payment at the time of your death will be treated as income for your estate
Your family can immediately commence with funeral planning arrangements as claims are paid with 24 hours of the confirmation of your death.

Simply download the Sureplan Gold PDS and, if a Queensland resident, a Client Care Statement. Alternatively, call 1800 817 105 or email [email protected] and we will post you the necessary documentation. You will need to complete the Application Form contained in the PDS and the front page of the Client Care Statement and forward them to Sureplan, Reply Paid 899, Spring Hill Qld 4004.

No. After the cooling off period the benefit is only payable upon your death.

Anyone can join. There are no health conditions applicable to Sureplan Gold.

There is no maximum contribution amount or number of funeral bonds that a member can use for their funeral cover. However for Centrelink and Veterans' Affairs pensioners to qualify for an exemption under the Incomes and Assets Test, your contribution to a funeral bond is subject to a Government threshold (see Pension Advantages for explanation) and you cannot have more than two funeral funding arrangements. Also, for tax purposes, the money contributed to all funeral funding arrangements must not exceed the amount that would reasonably cover a member's future funeral expenses.

None as an individual but the Fund pays a monthly Management Fee (maximum of 2% p.a. of the balance of the Fund) to the Sureplan Friendly Society Ltd General Fund to cover operating and administration costs. No fees come directly out of members' contributions.

Stamp duty may apply to your initial contribution and any subsequent contributions, or on assignment of your policy. The rate of stamp duty payable varies from State to State, and if payable, will be deducted from your contribution/s.

Someone, ideally the nominee, needs to ring our office on 1800 817 105 to advise of your death. Sureplan requires independent evidence of your death from a third party (e.g. the Funeral Director). The Society reserves the right to sight a death certificate before paying the benefit.

 
Who pays tax?
Investment income earned by Sureplan on your investment in Sureplan Gold will be subject to tax in the hands of Sureplan, but when investment income is paid to nominees Sureplan may receive a tax deduction for that amount. This will mean that benefits paid by Sureplan may be effectively at their gross (or untaxed) value. The Board may declare a terminal bonus, based on taxable growth, payable in respect of claims paid in the twelve months following the annual 30 June actuarial valuation.

The investment income or bonuses component of benefits received will be subject to tax in the hands of your estate in the year in which they are paid. Whether any actual tax is payable will depend on your estate's tax position in that year. Note though that the 'capital' component of benefits paid is simply a tax-free return of capital.

It is recommended that appropriate and independent professional advice be sought to determine how tax laws may affect your individual circumstances, mindful that these laws may change from time to time.

Under Australia's current Goods and Services Tax (GST) rules your contribution/s, investment earnings and benefit payments do not attract GST.

Yes, in accordance with the Fund rules. Please contact Sureplan Friendly Society Ltd for more information.