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Home / How super works / Accessing super / Accessing super: Reaching age 65

Accessing super: Reaching age 65

October 6, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

Reading time: 2 minutes

On this page

  • How do you apply for your super benefits when you reach 65?
  • Can I access super at 65 and keep working?
  • Do I have to access my super when I turn 65?
  • What are the tax implications?
  • Other conditions of release
  • The bottom line

You can access your super in Australia when you turn 65, even if you continue working. It is the most straightforward condition of release.

How do you apply for your super benefits when you reach 65?

You should contact your super fund. They can send you the appropriate forms, and you will also need to provide proof that you have reached 65.

You can access your super as a lump sum, an income stream (also known as a superannuation pension) or a combination of both.

Can I access super at 65 and keep working?

Yes. You can access your super when you turn 65 regardless of whether you’re still working.

You can also make contributions up until you turn 75, provided that you pass the work test. To satisfy the work test, you must work a minimum of 40 hours in any consecutive period of 30 days.

Do I have to access my super when I turn 65?

In most cases, no. You can leave your super in your fund until a later date (or even until you die) if you want.


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The exception to the rule is that members of some defined benefit super funds may be required to access their super at age 65, depending on their circumstances.

According to independent financial adviser Philip Harvey of Construct Wealth, if you are no longer employed by the agency that made contributions to your defined benefit fund and you preserved your super in that fund, then you may need to claim your benefit by age 65. This could be as a super pension, lump sum or a combination of the two.

Alternatively, he says you could roll over your preserved benefits to another super fund. Or start taking a pension from your defined benefit fund and contribute any surplus income to another super fund.   

It’s also worth noting that it is compulsory for super funds (including SMSFs) to pay member benefits to their beneficiaries when a member dies.

What are the tax implications?

Both lump sum and income stream withdrawals from super are tax free in Australia for anyone over the age of 60.

Other conditions of release

Besides reaching the age of 65, other common superannuation conditions of release are:

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  • Retiring from the workforce after you’ve reached your preservation age. Your preservation age is between the ages of 55 and 60, depending on your date of birth
  • Stopping work once you’ve reached the age of 60, even if you get another job
  • Reaching your preservation age and beginning a transition-to-retirement income stream (TTR or TRIS)

You can also access part (or all) of your super prior to reaching your preservation age in special circumstances, such as:

  • If you become permanently or temporarily incapacitated
  • If you’re suffering severe financial hardship or from a terminal medical condition
  • On compassionate grounds.

The bottom line

Accessing your super is a big financial decision. You should seek independent financial advice to help you determine the most appropriate financial strategies for your individual circumstances.

The information contained in this article is general in nature.

Learn more about accessing super in the following SuperGuide articles:

Accessing super: Reaching preservation age and retiring

October 9, 2020

What age can I access my super (Preservation Age)?

October 6, 2020

Accessing super: Ceasing employment after 60

October 6, 2020

Early release of super due to COVID-19 (coronavirus)

July 23, 2020

When can I access my super? All conditions of release explained

April 1, 2020

Guide to transition-to-retirement pensions (TTRs or TRISs)

March 22, 2020

Retirement age calculator: When can you access your super or the Age Pension?

August 7, 2019

Learn more about working in retirement in the following SuperGuide articles:

How to make super contributions after you’ve retired

July 8, 2020

Work test: Making super contributions over 67

July 1, 2020

Starting a new business in retirement

June 12, 2020

Are you getting your slice of the Age Pension Work Bonus?

November 13, 2019

Can I return to work after I access my super?

September 1, 2019

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How super works
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Super contributions
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Accessing super
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How-to guides
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Superannuation glossary
Super funds
Best performing super funds
Super fund rankings
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Pension fund rankings
Super fund average returns
Super investing strategies
Comparing super funds
Choosing a super fund
Choosing an investment option
Super fund fees
Insurance and super
Super fund profiles
SMSFs
SMSFs for beginners
SMSF administration
SMSF checklists
SMSF compliance
SMSF investing
SMSF pensions
SMSF strategies
SMSF Q&As
Plan your retirement
Retirement planning for beginners
When should I retire?
How long will I live?
How much super do I need?
Will I get the Age Pension?
How much will I spend in retirement?
Financial advice
Retiring overseas
Preparing for retirement
Retirement planning strategies
Retirement calculators and reckoners
In retirement
Income in retirement
Super lump sums
Super pensions
Age Pension
Working in retirement
Life in retirement
Senior concessions and services
Aged care
Estate planning
Super death benefits
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All information on SuperGuide is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.

You should consider whether any information on SuperGuide is appropriate to you before acting on it.

If SuperGuide refers to a financial product you should obtain the relevant product disclosure statement (PDS) or seek personal financial advice before making any investment decisions.

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