From www.firstlinks.com.au: Recent discussions highlight the complexities surrounding the payment of death benefits from superannuation funds, as these benefits do not automatically form part of an individual’s estate and are instead determined by the fund’s trustee.

A proposed reform suggests that superannuation death benefits should be included in the deceased’s estate by default, simplifying the process and potentially reducing delays and costs associated with benefit distribution.

This change aims to create greater consistency with other financial assets and align with the expectations of most Australians regarding estate planning.