Bendigo SmartStart Pension

Bendigo SmartStart Pension is part of The Bendigo Superannuation Plan which was established in 1988. Bendigo SmartStart Pension is an account-based pension which aims to provide a low-cost and easy-to-use solution to help members in retirement or in transition to retirement. A minimum initial investment of $10,000 is required to commence membership. Bendigo SmartStart offers members an investment menu consisting of 11 Diversified options, an Income Fund and a Cash Investment option. The Bendigo Balanced Index option underperformed the relevant SuperRatings Index over the 5 years to 30 June 2019.Fees are lower than the industry average across all account balances assessed. There are no investment switching fees, although a buy-sell spread may apply.Bendigo SmartStart Pension offers reasonable pension flexibility, with members able to select from monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and yearly payment frequencies and an ability to have pension payments adjusted to the CPI or by a certain percentage. Members can also select from reversionary pensions or binding lump sum death benefits, including child nominations.The fund offers members access to financial planning services, comprehensive online educational materials and the ability to view account details and perform transactions through the fund's website.