Accessing super early: Terminal illness

Q: I have a terminal illness. Can I access my super benefits?

Trish’s response: I’m sorry to read about your illness. The superannuation rules covering early access to super benefits do recognise such devastating circumstances. You can access your super benefits, and your super benefits will be tax-free. Your superannuation fund can assist you with the process involved to access your super.

Under the super rules, you may also have early access to super benefits by applying to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) on compassionate grounds: “to provide care for yourself or your dependant if you or your dependant is dying from a terminal medical condition”.  The individual suffering the terminal illness or the spouse of an individual suffering a terminal medical condition,  can each apply for early access to super benefits via APRA to  If you or your spouse apply for early release of super benefits via APRA, you first need to check with your super fund that the rules of your super fund permit such access.

For more information on accessing super benefits due to terminal illness, and the specific requirements, see article Accessing super early: Terminally ill receive tax break.

See also

• Accessing super early: Terminally ill receive tax break
• Accessing super early: Serious illness or surgery
• Accessing super early: 14 popular Q and As
• Accessing super early on compassionate grounds
• Accessing super early: Is it possible to withdraw super to pay overdue rent?

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