VicSuper

Everything you wanted to know about Super but were too unsure to ask – I have been with VicSuper since 2011. I have always found you to be helpful. The information is in plain English so even a layperson (me) can understand. I have not had any issues with my plan but after seeing Tara Walder face-to-face she opened up a whole new world for me and showed me how easy it was to understand and to get the most from my association with VicSuper.

Vic Super has moved to Aware Super and it's been downhill ever since – I had been with Vic Super for quite a few years .With the big shift this year ,the problems with this fund keep mounting. Difficult to contact and when contact is made I have been getting completely different information to the point that I don't trust this organisation to do right by me .

A Tremendous Product but – I have the highest regard for VicSuper and its products. However, the Company's primary focus on directing clients to its website is so frustrating when one is looking to speak to an adviser. The telephone introduction goes for @ 2 minutes before being then being queued, with wait time experiences beyond 10 minutes not uncommon. A call-back… Read more

facility is ultimately mentioned but if that call is missed, the return call starts the whole process again. Surely you can do better, VicSuper.

Serious deterioration in Customer Service – I have been a member of Vicsuper for I guess over 30 years. I was very happy with the level of information provided in regular face-to-face meetings. Over the years our superannuation officer was extremely helpful. I stress he was not providing financial advice, but information as circumstances changed. About 2 years ago all that changed. I was… Read more

advised that these personalised face-to-face meetings would be stopped. Since then with the merger with Aware the investment categories changed, I needed explanations. I have a hearing disability so prefer face-to-face meetings. I attended the walk-in centre in the city, however the officer there was unable to discuss investment options. He advised me I needed a phone consultation. Reluctantly I booked a phone consultation. On reflection I was uncomfortable in a phone conversation where documents needed to be perused, so I called Vicsuper to request a face-to-face consultation. The receptionist refused that request. He claimed that 'legislation' prevented it. If I wanted a face-to-face consultation, that would be considered Financial Advice for which I should pay $3000. He left no option but for me to cancel the phone consultation. I leave the reader to judge whether such a level of customer assistance is correct. I am currently investigating rolling over my substantial superannuation savings to another fund. Customer care is that important. Vicsuper is not what is was. They have destroyed all the loyalty earned over the years.

Sam Shah - Fantastic Financial Planner – Re:- Sam Shah (AWARE Financial Planner) My name is xxxxxxxxx where I was assigned to Sam Shah as my AWARE Financial Planner around the last quarter of 2020. Due to the COVID issue, Sam and I have never met, and this is my unsolicited recommendation of Sam – I have done it because I want to do it. It is my understanding from the news that AWARE is… Read more

reviewing how many financial planners that they need. This is my recommendation that Sam be one of those retained, for the following reasons:- 1) He listened to me, understanding and adapting to my personality and knowledge base (I did previously work for a Stock Broker for 33years so had some idea as to financial markets), so that a plan was developed that met my needs. 2) He gave advice on how to get to where I wanted in plan in a coherent, easily understandable manner whilst highlighting risks, issues and alternatives 3) He was able to adapt my plan when my circumstances changed, where he liaised with xxxxxx (my AWARE manager, and another fantastic person to deal with and needs to be highly praised) to make sure all that was planned happened as wished (especially as was during the Christmas period). 4) The manner of how Sam went about his role will be of benefit to AWARE and it made me feel that he was on my side and working for me, thus ensuring I have a better life in retirement. 5) As Sam is an AWARE person, and if he is the standard of the person in AWARE then I will recommend AWARE. 6) I don’t know if any of my colleagues are retiring soon, but if asked I will advise them to ask for Sam to be their AWARE Financial Planner. This is the strongest recommendation for Sam I can deliver. If you wish to discuss any of this with me I am available, because of how I feel.

Sam Shah - A Great Help At The Start Of My Retirement – When I retired in 2018 I had Sam Shah work with me through the process of planning for the future and how best to arrange my funds with VicSuper. After our first meeting I felt confident of that he had a very good understanding of my situation and that he had the knowledge and skills to help me set up a financial plan for my future. In… Read more

particular, I was grateful for the time that he took making sure that I fully comprehended each of the options that I had with VicSuper so that I could make the decisions required at the time. This not only took a lot of stress out of the situation, but also helped me feel that I could personally deal with many aspects of my super planning in the future. In the years since setting up my financial plan, there have been a number of occasions where I have needed Sam's help managing my VicSuper accounts. In every instance he has been able to help me sort out these management issues and he has always been very prompt in replying to messages left by phone or email.

Great Customer Service – I have had to contact Vicsuper a few times this year and always been pleased with the information given. On the last two occasions I have had exceptional help with a person walking me through my problem and assisting me. The staff are easy to understand and are very patient, as sometimes it's difficult to explain an issue accurately over the… Read more

phone. I am very pleased with Vicsuper, never hesitating to praise and recommend them to others. Congratulations on your Fund and fine Customer service.

Thanks Sam – I have been with State Plus/Aware Super for more than thirty years. I am very pleased to have Sam Shah assisting me recently. We were fortunate to have Sam review our superannuation and believe in Sam's good advice and recommendations. We were given very good information regarding updates to our Super account. We highly recommend Sam Shah as he… Read more

is very approachable, clear in his presentation and knowledgeable in his field of work. He is a excellent financial adviser whom we have the upmost respect in his approach in dealing with people and knowledge...Keep up the good work Sam from Domenico & Ann

Spectacular Sam Shah Vic Super Star – I have been with Vic Super for more than twenty years. I am very pleased and fortunate to have Sam Shah assisting me throughout these years. We were delighted to secure Sam to review our superannuation after being static for four years. Through Sam's good advice and recommendations, we were informed vital steps to update our Vic Super account by… Read more

streamlining it, making it productive and efficient. We highly recommend Sam Shah to friends as he is very approachable, clear in his presentation, knowledgeable in his field of work with his remarkable experiences. He is indeed a spectacular financial adviser whom we have confidence and satisfaction in his great service. by Serena & Stephen A. on 14 April 2021

Ignored member – Have attempted to contact vicsuper for information and keep being told they will call me back leave my details. Login site is down again for 13 days for maintenance same happened a year or 2 ago. Blocked my employer paying contributions because they changed there reference number or similar. Headaches every time you try and do something or ask for information.

Substandard systems – 1. Spent a week offline to upgrade their systems in Nov 2022(unheard of - a financial services system being offline for a week for an upgrade) 2. Dec 2022: can’t update my address online because of a “technical error” and can’t contact them their on line enquiry form “Access Denied” error - this after a week “upgrading” their system. 3. Still… Read more

takes their system 3 days minimum to do a funds transfer(almost all financial institutions are now same day for funds transfer at worst and have been for years) 4. Wait times on phone are excessive. 5. Excessive charges for very standard advice since taken over by Aware super(this used to be part of the service under Vicsuper).

shocking service worst returns – one of the worst performing super funds, since aligning with aware super the return has been pathetic and fees unrealistic for the service provided. they send an email trying to blame the markets for their poor performance, give me a break!!! to add insult to injury they then go and join Victorian government in the sell off of Vic Roads, to the… Read more

Chinese no less!!!! no one asked me for my approval to use my money in this rort. As a long time government employee, with my funds being invested over 17 years, planning on retiring next year, I am less than impressed with this company and will not be leaving funds in this account.

Use of their App – Been trying for 2 years to download their app to no avail. Even tried with their IT support on many occasions frustrating not being able to access your balances when needed really disappointing.

Pathetic contact system – I've been with Vicsuper for nearly 40 years. Their service to members is now appalling. They don't answer calls, reply to emails. What are my admin fees paying for? Does anyone actually work there? I used to get worthwhile and valuable advice. Now all that is provided are multiple choice questions and a summary an economics 101 student could deliver .

Sam Shah - A real advisor – This is the first time we have left a meeting or information session with a financial advisor actually feeling informed and understanding the advice and path forward. Sam is down to earth, knowledgeable and explains his financial advice and strategies clearly, ensuring you fully understand. We would have no hesitation recommending Sam to all our family and friends. Show details

Review of Sam Shah - superannuation adviser – For many years, Sam Shah has assisted me to plan for retirement and post retirement. He's why I have recommended VicSuper to others. Sam's experience/approach should be the standard for all superannuation advisers.

Financial advice from Sam Shah – Twice now I have left a meeting with Sam Shah, smiling a very happy smile. Sam is a financial guru, going beyond the usual to tailor a package that will keep my wife and I very comfortable in retirement. I can highly recommend his excellent service.

Service above and beyond Sam Shah – A phone call after 7 on a Friday night to clarify information I had received As always Sam was patient, knowledgeable and helpful. Happy to recommend Sam to others. Excellent service.

Sam Shah is a great retirement advisor – I was very confused about what to do after I retired. Sam was very helpful and patient, specially since I had many questions. He went through everything step by step. He even went out of his way to look at options that could save me and my kids money. It was a pleasure working with Sam and i would recommend him to my family and friends.

Sam Shah – I have been with VicSuper (Aware) for many years but had never undertaken any planning for retirement. I left everything to the last minute. Sam was very professional and walked me through the options and process to follow. His patience was never ending and he answered all my questions in a way that made it easy for me to understand. He made… Read more

certain that I was clear about any actions that I had to undertake to make my transition to retirement as smooth as possible. Very happy with Sam as my advisor.

Fantastic Service. Peace of Mind – I received clear information and advice. PDS and other documentation was very user friendly. Sam Shah was patient, polite and answered all my questions in a very clear manner. He made sure I understood how my money would be invested, fees and any future withdrawals, etc. Show details

Great super fund, very helpful staff – Have been with Vic Super for decades and am now on the Age Pension. Had an appointment with Adam Middlemis last February to set up fortnightly payments to supplement my pension. Adam also suggested a couple of other actions which would get me more tax back in the 2019/2020 financial year, which I would have had no idea about otherwise. When I got… Read more

my tax done I was very happy to receive several thousand extra dollars of return. However, my accountant accidentally entered on item incorrectly and I received a letter from the ATO requiring action. Once again Adam was extremely helpful and advised me how to resolve the issue immediately. Feeling very secure about my future with Vic Super backing me up.

Understandable Super Advice - Sam Shah – I have been with VicSuper for around 18 years and looking to retire in a few years but dreaded the thought of navigating all the legal, financial and tax stuff to do, it seemed easier to just keep working. Thanks to Sam Shah I how have a clear understanding of expectation and now looking forward to my retirement.

Great service - Sam Shah – We have been with VicSuper for over 20 years. This year, as approaching age 65 we needed more complex advice. We saw Sam Shah in Blackburn Office. We found him extremely helpful. His advice was comprehensive, clear and helped us to plan next steps. In June, despite all limitations due to COVID Sam promptly delivered on agreed plan and smoothly… Read more

guided us over the phone through the daunting task of filling a big bundle of documents. Thank you Sam - you are the best!

Lost 15 thousand from my super obviously due to Covid19. Hopefully Vicsuper invests smarter next year and our supersgrow – Lost 15 thousand out of my super due to the corona virus , obviously supers were hit ! Hopefully Vicsuper invest smarter next year and it puts us members into a positive position .. don’t want to see my hard earn money and future retirement plans hit a negative again ! Show details

very happy so far – Took out 2020 about 3 months ago. Been quite happy with the results considering COVID. Haven't hesitated topping it up. Easy to used website to check fees and add beneficiaries and check growth. It's 2022 and still happy but if they go Woke like HESTA my money will be withdrawn.

Timely and expert- thanks Marcus – An initial concern regarding protecting my super annuation meagre nest egg from Corona virus economic turmoil resulted in an unexpected bonus following a series of connections with Vicsuper staff. Thank you Marcus for advising me to partake in a Transition To Retirement strategy and for your patience and encouragement. I am grateful for your care and excellent customer service. Show details

Incredibly frustrating – I have been with VicSuper 20 years. Our Son was a VicSuper member and passed in the first 3 Months of 2020. We engaged solicitors and despite numerous jumping through hoops, were advised it would be a further 6 - 8 weeks. The service has been incredibly poor and would appear COVID has been a fortuitous event for the big CORPS. Utterly disgraceful !!!!!