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Superannuation and retirement planning information

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Home / How super works / Accessing super

Accessing super

There are multiple ways that you can legally access your superannuation under Australian legislation. These are known as conditions of release.

The most common conditions of release are listed below.

  • Reaching your preservation age and retiring. Your preservation age is between 55 and 60, depending on your date of birth.
  • Reaching your preservation age and starting a transition-to-retirement income stream (TRIS).
  • Being 60 or over and ceasing an employment arrangement, even if you don’t retire.
  • Being 65 or over, even if you don’t retire.
  • Death.

There are also the following additional conditions of release that will allow you to access your super early, provided you meet strict eligibility criteria.

  • On compassionate grounds.
  • If you’re suffering severe financial hardship.
  • If you’re diagnosed with a terminal medical condition.
  • If you’re temporarily incapacitated.
  • If you’re permanently incapacitated.
  • Through the First Home Super Saver Scheme.
  • If you’re a temporary resident departing Australia.
  • If you terminate gainful employment with less than $200 in your super account.

Learn about the key aspects of accessing your super in the following SuperGuide articles:

Accessing super: Reaching preservation age and retiring

October 9, 2020 Reading time: 4 minutes

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

October 6, 2020 Reading time: 2 minutes

Accessing super: Ceasing employment after 60

October 6, 2020 Reading time: 3 minutes

Accessing super: Reaching age 65

October 6, 2020 Reading time: 2 minutes

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

July 23, 2020 Reading time: 3 minutes

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

April 1, 2020 Reading time: 7 minutes

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

March 22, 2020 Reading time: 6 minutes

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

August 7, 2019 Reading time: 1 minute

Set out below are all SuperGuide articles that relate to Accessing super.

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Accessing super: Reaching preservation age and retiring

October 9, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

You satisfy the retirement provisions of Australia’s super legislation if you have reached your preservation age, you have ceased gainful employment and you have no intention of becoming gainfully employed again in the future.

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

October 6, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

There are a series of hurdles you need to clear before you can access your super. The first is your age.

Accessing super: Ceasing employment after 60

October 6, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

Retire at 60, grab your tax-free super and ride off into the distance. Sounds like a plan, but as with everything to do with super, the devil is in the detail.

Accessing super: Reaching age 65

October 6, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

You can access your super in Australia when you turn 65. It is the most straightforward condition of release. To apply for your super benefits you should contact your super fund.

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

July 23, 2020 by Barbara Drury 6 Comments

On 22 March 2020 the federal government announced a temporary measure allowing individuals to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019/20 and a further $10,000 in 2020/21.

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Taking your super early due to ill health? 7 tips to help

April 24, 2020 by Janine Mace Leave a Comment

Retiring due to ill health is much more common than you might think, and it can severely impact your super. We look at some tips that can help if the unexpected happens.

Early release of super due to severe financial hardship

April 4, 2020 by Barbara Drury 5 Comments

Accessing super early due to severe financial hardship is possible under Australian law, provided that you meet strict eligibility conditions and your super fund allows it.

Early release of super on compassionate grounds

April 1, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

Learn the rules for accessing your super early on compassionate grounds, including for paying your mortgage if you are at risk of losing your home.

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

April 1, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

To legally access your super in Australia you must satisfy a condition of release. Different conditions of release have different payment conditions and tax implications.

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

August 7, 2019 by SuperGuide Leave a Comment

Although there is no ‘retirement age’ in Australia, there are two ages that are important to know for planning your retirement…

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What are unrestricted and restricted non-preserved super benefits?

April 5, 2019 by SuperGuide Leave a Comment

Non-preserved super benefits can be either unrestricted or restricted. Unrestricted non-preserved benefits are the most common type. You will have these benefits if you are a member of a super fund and have satisfied a condition of release. If you do, you’ll be able to access your super on demand as either a lump sum or a pension.

Can I access my super if I retire overseas?

April 5, 2019 by SuperGuide 1 Comment

Question: I’m an Australian citizen and want to retire in Italy when I’m 52. Can I access my super because I don’t plan on working again in Australia?

Early release of super due to having a balance below $200

March 9, 2019 by SuperGuide 1 Comment

You can access your super benefits early under Australian law if you have a fund balance of less than $200 and your employment has been terminated – whether you lose your job or you quit it.

Early release of super through DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment)

March 8, 2019 by SuperGuide 1 Comment

The Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) is available to departed temporary residents who worked and earned super in Australia. It is not available to permanent Australian residents, nor for Australian and New Zealand citizens.

Early release of super due to temporary incapacity

February 25, 2019 by SuperGuide Leave a Comment

You can access super benefits early due to temporary incapacity under Australian law, provided that the benefits come from specific sources.

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How super works
Super for beginners
Super rules
Employers guide to super
Super contributions
Super and tax
Accessing super
Super news
Women and super
Super tips and strategies
How-to guides
Super quizzes
Superannuation Q&As
Superannuation glossary
Super funds
Best performing super funds
Super fund rankings
Best performing pension funds
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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