Helping members stay mobile, for life
Health & Wellbeing -
For most people, good health isn’t just about living longer. It’s about staying independent, being able to move without pain and enjoying the things that matter, whether that’s keeping up with family, staying active at work or simply getting through the day comfortably.
Musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, arthritis and osteoporosis, can quietly chip away at that independence. They’re common, often preventable and one of the leading contributors to disease burden in Australia.1
A bigger issue than many members realise
Around 7.3 million Australians are estimated to be living with a chronic musculoskeletal condition.2 Back pain and musculoskeletal problems are among the top five individual causes of disease burden for both men and women.3
According to TAL claims data, musculoskeletal and connective tissue conditions were among the most common reasons for accepted claims across our group insurance portfolio in the 2024-25 financial year.4 While every claim is assessed on its own merits and subject to policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, the data highlights how widespread these conditions are and the impact they can have on a member's ability to work, their income and their long-term financial security.
Small steps can make a real difference
Many of these conditions may be managed or even prevented with practical, everyday changes.5 Regular movement, maintaining a healthy weight, good workplace ergonomics and early intervention when pain first appears can all help reduce the risk of these conditions becoming chronic.6
As a trusted touchpoint for members, super funds are well placed to put useful health information in front of people at the right time, before a niggling issue becomes something more serious.
Resources ready to go
We’ve put together a set of musculoskeletal health resources designed to make it straightforward for you to start this conversation with your members. In the Member Content section of Group HQ, under Musculoskeletal Health, you’ll find:
- Member articles. Covering topics like preventing back pain, living well with arthritis and practical steps to support musculoskeletal health.
- Support flyers. Resources your member-facing teams can use in conversations or share in your communications.
- Suggested email template. A ready-to-use template you can customise with your own branding.
TAL’s Health Scout tool is a simple way for members to take that first step. The three-minute digital survey which may help members understand their physical health risks, including musculoskeletal conditions, and encourages them to take preventative action. The Health Scout tool is not a substitute for qualified medical or other health professional advice.
Prevention today, independence tomorrow
Starting the conversation can be as simple as sharing an article or flyer with your next member communication.
To access the musculoskeletal health toolkit, visit Group HQ Member Content or contact your Partnership Manager.
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Australian Burden of Disease Study. 2024.
2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Chronic musculoskeletal conditions. 2024.
3 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Australian Burden of Disease Study. 2024.
4 TAL Life Insurance paid claims on group life insurance policies issued to superannuation fund trustees during the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 (FY 2025).
5 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Chronic musculoskeletal conditions. 2024.
6 Ibid.