An education bond is a tax-effective investment plan that helps you save for education costs, from school fees to university or vocational training. Your contributions grow within the bond, and you may receive the Education Tax Benefit when you withdraw earnings for education purposes.

Yes. You can withdraw money when you need to. If it’s used for eligible education expenses, the Education Tax Benefit adds back tax already paid inside the bond.

Foresters offers multiple investment options: sustainable, balanced, growth and high growth. You can choose one or a mix that matches your goals and risk comfort.

Yes. Parents, grandparents, or other family members can contribute either a lump sum or regular savings at any time.

Yes. There is no personal capital gains tax on growth within the bond. Earnings are taxed within the bond at a flat 30%, and after 10 years withdrawals are generally tax-free. Withdrawals before 10 years include a 30% tax offset for tax already paid by the fund.

Because we’ve been helping Australians plan for life’s biggest moments for more than 176 years. As a member-owned organisation, our focus is on helping you create a clear, simple plan, not adding complexity.

We’re here to help. You can speak to one of our Australian-based consultants now on 1800 645 326.

A Giving Plan is a tax-effective investment bond (also commonly referred to as a bequest bond). It is designed to help you leave a meaningful gift to the people or causes you care about. You contribute during your lifetime, and when the time comes, the funds are paid directly to your chosen beneficiaries or charities safely, securely, and without going through probate. It’s a simple, flexible way to make your legacy clear and lasting.

You open a Giving Plan in your name and nominate one or more beneficiaries. These may be individuals, charities, or other incorporated organisations. Your contributions are invested and grow within the bond. When you pass away, the funds are paid directly to your nominated beneficiaries, according to your instructions. Because the Plan is held outside your estate, it avoids delays and disputes that can arise with traditional wills.

Yes. The Giving Plan is designed with flexibility in mind. You can access your funds at any time during your lifetime if your circumstances or priorities change. You can also update your beneficiaries or adjust your contributions when ever needed, your Plan stays in your control.

Earnings inside the bond are taxed within the fund at a flat rate of 30%, not your personal marginal rate. You don’t need to declare these earnings on your tax return, and if you hold the Plan for 10 years (and follow contribution rules), any withdrawals or gifts are generally tax-free. This makes the Giving Plan a tax-effective way to grow your legacy over time.

Unlike a traditional bequest through your Will, the Giving Plan pays directly to your nominated beneficiaries, bypassing probate. That means your gift can’t be delayed or contested and reaches your beneficiaries more quickly and securely. It also provides privacy, since the details of your plan aren’t part of the public record.

You can nominate individuals, registered charities, or other incorporated organisations, or a combination of all three. You can also change or remove beneficiaries at any time if your wishes evolve. Foresters ensures your instructions are clearly recorded so your gift is honoured as you intend.

Yes. The Giving Plan is often used alongside a Will as part of a broader estate planning strategy. Because it bypasses probate and pays directly to your beneficiaries, it provides an additional layer of certainty and efficiency. Many people use it to complement their Will and ensure specific gifts are delivered without complication.

Yes. Your funds are held and managed by Foresters, a member-owned friendly society regulated under the Life Insurance Act and supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). We’re required to maintain strong reserves and meet ongoing capital adequacy standards to protect your investment at every stage.

You can choose from four investment options: sustainable, balanced, growth and  high growth, depending on your comfort with risk and return. You can switch between options at any time, giving you control over how your legacy grows.

You can apply online or through one of our Australian-based consultants. You can also download the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination for more information before applying.

We’re here to help. You can speak to one of our Australian-based consultants now on 1800 645 326.

A funeral bond is a secure savings plan designed specifically to cover future funeral costs. Your contributions grow within the bond and are set aside exclusively for funeral expenses, ensuring the money is there when it’s needed.

The funds are paid directly to your nominated funeral director or to your estate to cover funeral costs, making the process much easier to manage for loved ones.

This optional one-off premium covers transport costs up to $3,000 if death occurs more than 100 km from home (within Australia).

Think of your funeral bond like a special savings account for your funeral. While you’re alive, tax is paid on the earnings inside your bond. When the bond is paid out, we claim back tax credits from the government and add them to your final payout. This is why the final amount you receive is higher and completely tax-free.

The tax credit can only be claimed when the bond is paid out. Under taxation law, any tax on the policy may only be recovered at the time of maturity. By waiting until maturity, you receive the maximum benefit, with nothing lost to fees or inflation along the way.

No. You don’t need to declare any bonuses applied to your funeral bond on your personal tax return while the policy is active. Foresters manages tax within the fund. For Centrelink purposes, funeral bonds up to the government’s allowable limit (currently $15,750, indexed annually) are exempt from the Age Pension assets and income tests.

If you have a PrepaidPlus policy (which combines a prepaid funeral with a funeral bond), only the prepaid funeral policy is exempt from the pension test. If the funeral is prepaid, there is no exemption from the Age Pension assets test for the funeral bond.

This means that setting aside money in a funeral bond generally won’t reduce your pension entitlements. When the policy matures, the tax credit is refunded to the beneficiary. The income component may become assessable for tax depending on the beneficiary’s financial situation, so we recommend seeking independent financial advice.

No. A funeral bond is designed solely to pay for your funeral, and withdrawals for any other purpose aren’t allowed. This is one reason funeral bonds are generally exempt from the Age Pension assets test (up to the allowable limit).

Note: this exemption only applies if you don’t hold a prepaid funeral contract. If you later take out a prepaid funeral contract while holding a bond, the bond will become fully assessable for assets test purposes.

These rules are required under the Life Insurance Act and the fund’s rules, and they ensure your savings are available when they’re needed most.

We’re here to help. You can speak to one of our Australian-based consultants now on 1800 645 326.

PrepaidPlus is a formal three-way agreement between you, your chosen funeral director, and Foresters. You arrange the details and cost of your funeral directly with your funeral director and pay at today’s prices. Your funeral director then lodges the funds with Foresters, and we securely hold your PrepaidPlus funds in trust until they’re needed and pay them directly to your funeral director when the time comes.

PrepaidPlus includes two optional add-ons: a Funeral Bond and Away From Home Cover. The Funeral Bond allows you to set aside extra funds for associated costs like flowers, catering or memorial services. Away From Home Cover provides up to $3,000 towards transportation back to your chosen funeral director if you pass away more than 100 km from home, anywhere in Australia.

You can pay upfront or, if offered by your funeral director, through an instalment plan. The payment is collected by your funeral director and invested with Foresters at the time of application to secure your plan.

A Prepaid Funeral Plan is fully tax-exempt and generally exempt from the Centrelink assets and income tests, so it will not reduce your Age Pension entitlements. If you have a PrepaidPlus policy (which combines a prepaid funeral with a funeral bond), only the prepaid funeral policy is exempt from the pension test.

Your funds are held in trust by Foresters, a member-owned friendly society regulated under the Life Insurance Act and supervised by APRA. Foresters is required to hold sufficient reserves and meet strict capital adequacy tests to ensure your funds are always available when needed.

Yes. You have a 30-day cooling-off period from when you receive your Certificate of Membership. If you cancel during this time, you’ll receive a full refund of contributions made, less any fees or taxes payable and any change in investment value.

We’re here to help. You can speak to one of our Australian-based consultants now on 1800 645 326.