MEDICARE LEVY AND THE GOLD CARD

 Taxpayers are EXEMPT from paying the Medicare levy on their taxable income if they are entitled to full free medical treatment for all conditions under defence force arrangements or Veterans’ Affairs Repatriation Health Card (Gold Card) or repatriation arrangements.

 For example, if you are receiving a DFRDB superannuation pension and you are a Gold Card holder, the Medicare Levy should NOT be deducted from your pension by the DFRDB Authority.  Following representation to the Authority, it has advised that “…. to be exempt from the 1.5% medicare levy a Medicare Levy Variation Declaration form needs to be completed and sent to ComSuper or if the pensioner has a DVA Gold Card, a written request accompanied by a certified copy of the Gold Card along with sufficient identification must be sent to this office”.

 If you hold a Gold Card and receive a DFRDB superannuation pension and are entitled to the exemption, you should take the action advised.  The address for the DFRDB Authority is PO Box 22, Belconnen, ACT 2616 and the Medicare Levy Variation Declaration form can be downloaded from www.ato.gov.au

 The matter of refund of previously paid medicare levies is a matter the taxpayer should raise with the Australian Tax Office on phone 132861 or by visiting an ATO Shopfront (details at www.ato.gov.au).  Reference to the Association’s query an be made by quoting reference number eRes95384.

 DFRDB MEMBERS SEPARATING FROM THE ADF

 Under some circumstances a DFRDB member who separates from the ADF and:

-         who does not have a pension entitlement; and

-         who is about to take up employment with a government organisation that is covered by an 'eligible superannuation scheme', 

….. may be able to transfer his/her DFRDB benefits to the eligible scheme rather than receiving a refund of his/her contributions (without interest).  In circumstances where this entitlement exists it may be in the member's best interests to exercise it, depending on the individual’s circumstance.  For details of eligible superannuation schemes DFRDB members should consult the DFRDB Authority and / or seek professional financial advice.

 VETERANS’ MEDICAL RECORDS

 The Association notes with concern reports that the delay in obtaining veterans’ medical records from DVA had increased from about 6 to 30 weeks.  Such delay, if correct, is totally unacceptable and strengthens the point the Association makes at Transition Seminars that anyone leaving the ADF should take full copies of their service records with them, in particular their medical records. 

 The Association will maintain a watching brief on this matter, ands would welcome advice if you have experienced this problem.  It strengthens the need for seamless integration between the Department of Defence and the DVA.

 CARRIAGE OF MEDALS ON AIRCRAFT

 The Association has been advised that those planning to travel while in possession of military medals, for example around ANZAC Day should be aware that they will need to have their court mounted medals (only the type with the large pin closure device) in their checked baggage.  This means that medals must be carried as luggage, not placed in carry-on baggage or on your person.

 The current situation is the brooch pin on the rear of medal racks is now considered a weapon in accordance with Air Safety Regulations.  If you need clarification please contact your airline.

 single compensation claim

 The DFWA was recently represented by Don Weston from Victoria Branch at a recent DVA video/audio hookup about the development of a single compensation claim form.  The single claim form is aimed to permit claims under any of the three compensation Act.  The Association will aim to ensure that the form is as user friendly as possible.

SUPERANNUATION INDEXATION

Work continues to lobby politicians – particularly those who were vocal in their support before the election on this matter.  We note that several ALP luminaries had promised, before the election, to review within six months of the election, the basis for the last Government’s costings to fix the indexation issue. We understand that the Government is now contemplating yet another full-scale review of the pension indexation issue ... we are not sure why a fourth inquiry should be necessary (unless it is for Government to get the recommendation it really wants to hear ?) There will be a meeting of DFWA/SCOA/ACPSRO on 29 April at which any other developments will be discussed and future strategies to maintain the pressure will be discussed.