What are Step Rules?
Some benefits allow you to choose a level of cover from a range of options, such as Life Assurance based on a multiple of your salary.
To help manage changes fairly over time, these benefits may use Step Rules.
Step Rules control how much you can increase or decrease your benefit selection during an enrolment window.
Which benefits use Step Rules?
Step Rules are most commonly used for benefits that offer different levels of cover, such as:
- Life Assurance
- Other risk-based benefits
They only apply where you can choose from a range of benefit levels.
What do Step Rules control?
Step Rules may determine:
- How much you can increase your cover
- How much you can decrease your cover
- Whether different rules apply when you first select the benefit
- How many times you can change your selection during the benefit term
Do Step Rules always apply?
No.
Step Rules only apply when you actively make a selection or change a benefit.
They do not apply if:
- You are automatically enrolled into a benefit
- A default benefit selection is applied on your behalf
Making Changes Over Time
After your initial selection, step rules may limit how much you can change your selection each time a new enrolment window opens.
For example:
- You may only be allowed to increase or decrease your cover by one step at a time
- You may only be able to make a limited number of changes over the full duration of the benefit
If your benefit runs for a fixed term, there may also be a maximum number of changes allowed during that term. This does not apply to benefits with a rolling term.
What is my First Opportunity?
Your First Opportunity is the first enrolment window where:
- The benefit is available to you, and
- You are able to make your own selection
During this first opportunity, you may be able to choose freely from the full range of available options.
Note: First Opportunity rules only apply during scheduled enrolment windows or lifestyle change windows. They do not apply to instant changes.
Can I change my benefit level after my first selection?
Yes.
However, Step Rules may limit how much you can change your selection when a new enrolment window opens.
For example, you may only be able to increase or decrease your cover by one level at a time.
Is there a limit on how many changes I can make?
Some benefits may limit the number of changes you can make during the lifetime of the benefit.
This is most common for benefits with a fixed term.
If you reach the maximum number of allowed changes, you won't be able to make any further amendments until a new benefit term begins.
Do multiple changes in the same window count separately?
No.
If you make several changes within the same enrolment window, they count as a single change because the effective date remains the same.
What happens if I reach the maximum number of changes?
If you've used all available amendments allowed by the Step Rules, you'll see a message explaining that no further changes can be made.
Example: Life Assurance
Benefit Setup
- Available cover: 4× salary to 8× salary
- Default cover: 4× salary
First Selection
When you first select the benefit, you can choose any level within the full range (for example, 5× salary).
You can also continue to amend your choice while the same enrolment window remains open.
Future Enrolment Windows
When a new enrolment window opens with a new effective date, Step Rules may apply.
- You may only be able to change your cover by one step up or down
For example, if you're currently enrolled at 5× salary, you may only be able to change to:
- 4× salary, or
- 6× salary
Maximum Changes Reached
If the benefit has a fixed term and a limit on the number of amendments:
- Once all permitted changes have been used, further amendments won't be allowed.
- A message will be displayed explaining that the maximum number of changes has been reached.
Important: Any changes you make are not submitted automatically. To finalise your new selection, you must complete the Review & Confirm process before the enrolment window closes.