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Retiring at 60? Your super simple guide to 12 common questions

Retiring at 60? Your super simple guide to 12 common questions

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For many people planning their retirement, age 60 sounds like a good time to leave the workforce.

If that’s your plan, it’s important to ensure you understand the rules on accessing your super, how big your nest egg needs to be, the tax you might pay and any financial assistance you may be able to receive.

To help you take the leap into life after work, SuperGuide has put together a simple guide answering common questions asked by people who plan to retire at 60.

1. When can I access my super savings?

Once you reach age 60, it’s fairly straightforward to access your super benefits if you are retired from the workforce, as that is a condition of release.

In the super world, to access your super benefits at age 60 you must:

  • Have reached your preservation age
  • Have ceased gainful employment
  • Not have any intention of becoming gainfully employed again.

For more detailed information, read SuperGuide article Accessing super: Ceasing employment after 60.

If you withdraw your super benefits once you reach 60, most people pay no tax on their retirement savings. This is a big change from withdrawing before age 60, where tax is payable on some parts of your super benefit (see later in this article).

Remember, if you retire at 60 and withdraw your super savings, you miss out on the benefits of compound interest. This can have a significant impact on how much income you have in later years.

For more information, read SuperGuide articles:

Super tip

If you are currently receiving payments from Centrelink, check before you access your super benefit. It may affect your entitlement to a benefit and the amount you receive, as many government benefits are based your taxable income (e.g. Family tax benefit Part A and B, Child Care Subsidy, government co-contribution and the seniors and pensioners tax offset).

To find out more, contact Centrelink on 13 23 00 or check the Centrelink website.

For more information, read SuperGuide articles:

2. Can I access my super at 60 and still work?

One of the main conditions of release for accessing your super benefits at age 60 is ceasing employment.

In most cases, that means it’s not possible to access your super at age 60 and continue working with the employer you left to meet the condition of release.

You can, however, get another full or part-time job with a new employer. Or if you have two jobs, you only need to cease one employment arrangement and you can continue in your other job.

To access your super benefits at age 60, you will need to make a written declaration to your super fund you have a ‘genuine intention to retire’. This means you plan to leave the workforce permanently and don’t expect to work again more than ten hours per week.

You can also start a transition-to-retirement income stream (TTRs or TRISs) with your super benefits while you’re continue working. For more about TTRs, see the section later in this article.

Need to know

You are able to work less than ten hours a week and still be considered officially ‘retired’ with full access to your super savings.

3. Can I still make contributions into my super if I retire at 60?

Once you cease gainful employment, the contributions you can make into your account are much more limited and depend on your age:

  • Aged 64 and under, you can only make non-concessional (after-tax) contributions into your super account up to the annual contribution cap ($100,000 in 2020-21).
  • Aged 65 and over, you can only make downsizer contributions (up to $300,000 in 2020-21).

For more information, see the following SuperGuide articles:

4. What are the options for withdrawing my super benefit?

When you withdraw your super savings at retirement, you can choose to take either a lump sum or an income stream:

  • Income stream (super pension or annuity) – If you decide to take a super income stream, you will receive a series of regular payments from your super fund. These must be paid at least annually and must meet minimum annual payment rules.
  • Lump sum – This is a single payment that withdraws some or all of your super. If you take a lump sum the money is no longer within the super system and if you invest it, any return received on the money will not be taxed as super savings. This means the concessional tax rate of 15% on your super account’s investment earnings will no longer apply. Instead, your investment returns will be taxed at your marginal tax rate, which could be as high as 45% (plus the Medicare levy).

Need to know

When choosing whether to take a lump sum or income stream from your super account, consider getting professional advice from an independent financial adviser or tax professional. Tax and super are very complicated and taking a lump sum may not necessarily be the best strategy for you, as there can be tax advantages with a retirement income stream.

5. What are the tax implications of retiring at age 60?

Super withdrawals after age 60 are generally tax free.

If you are aged 60 or over and decide to take a lump sum, all your lump sum benefits are tax free.

If you are aged 60 or over and decide to take a super pension, all your pension payments are tax free UNLESS you are a member of a small number of defined benefit super funds, or you receive a defined benefit pension over a certain limit. In these two situations, you will pay some tax on your super pension, but this generally only affects public servants.

These two exceptions only affect people who choose to take a super pension AND are:

  • Members of an untaxed super scheme (usually a public sector fund)
  • Receiving a private or public defined benefit pension of more than $100,000 a year (in 2020-21).

For a detailed explanation of how super benefits are taxed if you retire under age 60, read SuperGuide article Your tax guide to accessing your super under age 60.

6. What is the average super account balance at age 60?

According to Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia research[i], in 2016-17 (the latest available data) the average super account balance for males aged 60 to 64 was $336,360, while for females the average was a bit lower at $277,880.

Unsurprisingly, the average balance for those on higher incomes tends to be higher. In 2016-17, the average super balance for a male aged 60 to 64 in the $180,000 plus tax bracket was $1,224,954. For females in the same tax bracket, the average was $1,323,120.

For Aussies aged 60 to 64 in the $37,001 to $87,000 tax bracket, the averages were $280,468 for males and $268,910 for females.

Average and median super account balance 2016-17

Average super account balance Median* super account balance

Males (age 60–64)

$336,360

$154,453

Females (age 60–64)

$277,880

$122,848

7. What is my life expectancy at age 60?

Life expectancy is a statistical measure that estimates how long a typical person of a specific age and sex is likely to live. It’s based on your year of birth and gender, but does not consider your circumstances, such as your personal health, family history, diet or lifestyle.

That means it’s an estimate of how long a typical person is likely to live, not a prediction of how long you will live.

The estimates below are an average life expectancy for someone age 60 based on national statistics, without taking into account any personal factors such as your health or family history.

Estimated life expectancy at age 60

Expected remaining years of life Life expectancy

Male

24 years and 0 months

84 years and 0 months

Female

26 years and 11 months

86 years and 11 months

Need to know

If you are working out how much you will need in your nest egg if you retire at 60, it’s important to remember the average life expectancy figures are only an average. That means half of all Australian retirees will not reach their life expectancy, but half will live more years than this projection. Typically, two-thirds of people die within eight years either side of the average life expectancy.

For more information read the following SuperGuide articles:

8. Can I get the Age Pension if I retire at 60?

To be eligible for the Age Pension, you must have reached the current Age Pension eligibility age, which from 1 July 2021 is 66 years and 6 months, rising to 67 from 1 July 2023.

In addition to the age requirement, whether you are eligible for an Age Pension depends on you being able to satisfy the Age Pension assets test, income test and residency requirements.

For more information see the following SuperGuide articles:

9. Can I get a health card if I retire at 60?

If you retire at age 60, unfortunately you are ineligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). This concession card gives you access to cheaper health care, medications and, potentially, government services.

To qualify for a CSHC, you must have reached your Age Pension eligibility age, which depends on your date of birth (see table above). This is progressively being increased to age 67 from 1 July 2023.

For more information, read SuperGuide articles:

10. Can I get a state Seniors Card if I retire at 60?

Congratulations, if you retire at age 60 you are eligible for a state Seniors Card in most states and territories.

The eligibility rules for a Seniors Card are different in each state and territory (and they change regularly), but the general rule is you need to be aged at least 60 to apply for a state Seniors Card. Residency and work test rules also apply.

It’s worth noting many states allow you to apply for your card up to three months before you turn 60.

Briefly, the requirements in each state and territory in relation to your age are:

State

Eligible age for Seniors Card

Australian Capital Territory

62 or over

(From July 2020 eligibility age will be lowered to 60)

NSW

60 or over

Northern Territory

60 or over

Queensland

60 or over with government concession card

Tasmania

60 or over

Victoria

60 or over

Western Australia

63 or over

  Note: Residency and work test rules also apply when you apply for a Seniors Card.

For more detailed information on Seniors Card eligibility and benefits, read SuperGuide article Your simple guide to state Seniors Cards: How they can save you money.

11. Can I start a transition to retirement income stream at 60?

A transition to retirement (TTR or TRIS) is a pension income stream from your super account that you draw down on while you are still working. It can be a way to scale back your working hours and start enjoying your transition into retirement.

Starting a TTR can also allow you to salary sacrifice into super to save tax, while using your TTR to supplement your salary so you can maintain your lifestyle.

You are eligible to start a TTR if you have reached your preservation age, are still working and are a member of an accumulation super fund (90% of Australians are in these funds.)

For more information, read SuperGuide article Guide to transition to retirement pensions (TTRs or TRISs).

Need to know

Since 1 July 2017, the investment returns on the assets underlying a TTR pension are taxed at 15%, just as they are in a super accumulation account. Previously these investment returns were tax free.

For more information, read SuperGuide article Did tax kill the transition to retirement magic pudding?

12. How much super do I need to retire at 60?

When you retire at 60, you could be spending 25 or 30 years in retirement, so you’ll need to create a retirement income stream that lasts a long time.

If you retire at age 60, the amount of super you will need to fund your retirement income depends on many factors.

For more information, read SuperGuide article How much super do I need to retire?

To help you get started working out how much super you need if you retire at 60, we have put together tables for both couples and singles using figures generated from ASIC’s MoneySmart retirement planner calculator.

There are six different scenarios showing the income generated from different super balances ranging from $500,000 at retirement through to $3.2 million (combined for a couple).

If you want to calculate the income using your own circumstances, try SuperGuide’s Super to income reckoner, which has nearly 9,000 options you can use.

Scenario 1: Income generated from a $500,000 retirement super balance transferred into a super pension account

Couple: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$16,224

$18,425

$20,870

$23,462

$26,251

$29,164

$32,252

No

$43,986

$45,367

$46,901

$48,568

$50,390

$52,354

$54,472

90

Yes

$13,371

$15,399

$17,804

$20,478

$23,336

$26,369

$29,563

No

$42,637

$43,912

$45,393

$47,046

$48,852

$50,855

$52,992

95

Yes

$11,389

$13,231

$15,506

$18,252

$21,265

$24,386

$27,755

No

$41,678

$42,870

$44,291

$45,934

$47,755

$49,792

$51,971

100

Yes

$9,949

$11,607

$13,691

$16,346

$19,656

$22,986

$26,454

No

$40,978

$42,087

$43,438

$45,057

$46,940

$48,970

$51,261

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Single: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$34,559

$36,179

$37,909

$39,747

$41,689

$43,737

$45,854

No

$16,224

$18,439

$20,871

$23,474

$26,224

$29,154

$32,251

90

Yes

$32,606

$34,079

$35,716

$37,462

$39,323

$41,269

$43,372

No

$13,369

$15,405

$17,804

$20,469

$23,336

$26,378

$29,575

95

Yes

$31,203

$32,557

$34,078

$35,758

$37,547

$39,452

$41,475

No

$11,390

$13,231

$15,485

$18,253

$21,267

$24,402

$27,755

100

Yes

$30,159

$31,363

$32,747

$34,365

$36,110

$37,971

$39,954

No

$9,944

$11,607

$13,695

$16,346

$19,654

$22,966

$26,451

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Scenario 2: Income generated from a $750,000 retirement super balance transferred into a super pension account

Couple: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$52,063

$54,539

$57,163

$59,957

$62,928

$66,042

$69,271

No

$24,348

$27,647

$31,258

$35,173

$39,372

$43,761

$48,341

90

Yes

$49,156

$51,452

$53,943

$56,614

$59,452

$62,451

$65,638

No

$20,061

$23,108

$26,704

$30,723

$34,993

$39,562

$44,361

95

Yes

$47,102

$49,156

$51,538

$54,107

$56,841

$59,751

$62,840

No

$17,082

$19,838

$23,260

$27,389

$31,876

$36,624

$41,633

100

Yes

$45,532

$47,396

$49,547

$52,023

$54,760

$57,573

$60,557

No

$14,923

$17,410

$20,544

$24,519

$29,476

$34,491

$39,621

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Single: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$40,564

$42,759

$45,165

$47,738

$50,457

$53,464

$56,717

No

$24,337

$27,657

$31,308

$35,183

$39,362

$43,752

$48,358

90

Yes

$36,851

$38,831

$40,955

$43,361

$45,951

$48,773

$52,000

No

$20,061

$23,108

$26,701

$30,725

$35,000

$39,558

$44,322

95

Yes

$34,223

$36,040

$38,021

$40,205

$42,648

$45,420

$48,542

No

$17,081

$19,833

$23,260

$27,389

$31,876

$36,625

$41,631

100

Yes

$32,114

$33,768

$35,693

$37,806

$40,139

$42,759

$45,857

No

$14,921

$17,406

$20,544

$24,518

$29,486

$34,489

$39,663

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Scenario 3: Income generated from a $1 million retirement super balance transferred into a super pension account

Couple: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$58,558

$61,654

$64,925

$68,428

$72,162

$76,162

$80,430

No

$32,449

$36,863

$41,666

$46,955

$52,494

$58,356

$64,495

90

Yes

$53,857

$56,634

$59,643

$62,908

$66,355

$70,245

$74,355

No

$26,750

$30,812

$35,609

$40,959

$46,660

$52,752

$59,168

95

Yes

$50,418

$53,014

$55,824

$58,863

$62,172

$65,831

$69,766

No

$22,776

$26,465

$31,002

$36,518

$42,536

$48,839

$55,503

100

Yes

$47,847

$49,993

$52,715

$55,746

$58,912

$62,401

$66,240

No

$19,898

$23,212

$27,390

$32,689

$39,315

$45,996

$52,907

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Single: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$45,539

$48,529

$51,854

$55,569

$59,718

$64,251

$69,256

No

$32,452

$36,881

$41,747

$46,957

$52,505

$58,356

$64,486

90

Yes

$40,318

$42,977

$46,044

$49,557

$53,550

$58,137

$63,264

No

$26,746

$30,812

$35,609

$40,967

$46,654

$52,754

$59,168

95

Yes

$36,784

$39,140

$41,933

$45,220

$49,078

$53,687

$58,973

No

$22,777

$26,460

$31,011

$36,508

$42,494

$48,843

$55,453

100

Yes

$34,146

$36,265

$38,830

$41,935

$45,701

$50,326

$55,765

No

$19,898

$23,214

$27,388

$32,683

$39,315

$45,987

$52,845

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Scenario 4: Income generated from a $1.6 million retirement super balance transferred into a super pension account

Couple: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$70,915

$75,829

$81,264

$87,368

$94,142

$101,642

$109,841

No

$51,950

$59,006

$66,791

$75,140

$84,006

$93,381

$103,210

90

Yes

$62,482

$66,858

$71,905

$77,682

$84,285

$91,854

$100,326

No

$42,799

$49,300

$56,972

$65,550

$74,661

$84,402

$94,658

95

Yes

$56,875

$60,669

$65,236

$70,732

$77,183

$84,849

$93,588

No

$36,449

$42,348

$49,609

$58,430

$68,004

$78,149

$88,771

100

Yes

$52,737

$56,133

$60,326

$65,463

$71,791

$79,491

$88,575

No

$31,830

$37,141

$43,826

$52,308

$62,897

$73,591

$84,652

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Single: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$59,946

$65,693

$72,160

$79,442

$86,552

$96,019

$105,261

No

$51,951

$58,966

$66,793

$75,139

$83,954

$93,355

$103,164

90

Yes

$51,401

$56,371

$62,518

$69,695

$77,753

$86,687

$96,350

No

$42,798

$49,300

$56,973

$65,549

$74,677

$84,403

$94,653

95

Yes

$45,957

$50,196

$55,639

$62,630

$70,853

$80,063

$90,154

No

$36,448

$42,348

$49,613

$58,431

$68,060

$78,149

$88,813

100

Yes

$42,171

$45,828

$50,649

$57,174

$65,593

$75,228

$85,702

No

$31,841

$37,140

$43,826

$52,303

$62,901

$73,596

$84,653

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Scenario 5: Income generated from a $2 million retirement super balance transferred into a super pension account

Couple: Retiring at 60

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$80,052

$86,759

$94,300

$102,721

$112,088

$122,362

$133,432

No

$64,935

$73,758

$83,469

$93,869

$105,011

$116,725

$128,983

90

Yes

$69,446

$75,260

$82,340

$90,533

$99,855

$110,449

$121,959

No

$53,492

$61,620

$71,218

$81,937

$93,351

$105,515

$118,285

95

Yes

$62,611

$67,565

$73,842

$81,763

$91,162

$101,956

$114,004

No

$45,560

$52,935

$62,020

$73,034

$85,014

$97,668

$111,040

100

Yes

$57,848

$62,244

$67,734

$75,063

$84,427

$95,651

$108,182

No

$39,801

$46,427

$54,781

$65,375

$78,622

$91,951

$105,789

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Single: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$69,093

$75,964

$83,996

$93,023

$103,051

$113,852

$125,419

No

$61,976

$70,058

$79,224

$89,284

$100,157

$111,738

$123,812

90

Yes

$57,303

$63,421

$70,950

$79,945

$90,261

$101,755

$114,066

No

$49,552

$56,672

$65,562

$75,965

$87,441

$99,764

$112,686

95

Yes

$49,732

$54,637

$61,162

$69,869

$80,617

$92,784

$105,973

No

$41,113

$47,301

$55,091

$65,238

$77,599

$90,951

$104,820

100

Yes

$44,566

$48,683

$54,031

$61,552

$72,277

$85,719

$99,959

No

$35,108

$40,467

$47,264

$56,030

$68,165

$83,818

$98,953

* Assumptions for the calculations in the tables are listed at the end of the article.

Scenario 6: Income generated from a $3.2 million retirement super balance transferred into a super pension account

Since 1 July 2017 there has been a $1.6 million limit on the amount you can transfer into a super account in pension phase. The $1.6 million transfer balance cap applies to individuals, which means a couple could have up to $3.2 million in individual accounts.

Couple: Retiring at 60

Money lasting until age

Eligible for Age Pension?

Return on savings

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

85

Yes

$112,693

$125,154

$139,164

$154,660

$171,451

$189,376

$208,443

No

$103,898

$118,010

$133,585

$150,270

$168,025

$186,764

$206,429

90

Yes

$95,461

$106,301

$119,733

$135,286

$152,377

$171,076

$190,967

No

$85,597

$98,595

$113,949

$131,094

$148,951

$168,834

$189,361

95

Yes

$84,080

$93,467

$105,646

$121,121

$138,852

$158,173

$178,955

No

$72,890

$84,676

$99,224

$116,855

$136,122

$156,258

$177,586

100

Yes

$76,329

$84,460

$95,263

$109,808

$128,469

$148,725

$170,276

No

$63,682

$74,284

$87,646

$104,608

$125,797

$147,179

$169,266

Assumptions

  • You own your own home and have personal assets of $25,000 or less. These calculations do not allow any investment assets outside super. Note that the amount of investment assets you have can greatly affect the amount of Age Pension you are eligible for.
  • Results are in today’s dollars. Inflation costs are a 2.5% rise per year in cost of living, plus a 1.5% additional rise per year in living standards.
  • You retire after you reach Age Pension age.
  • All returns are net of fees.
  • Calculations for couples assume both are same age and super balance is split evenly.
  • We recommend you also review the assumptions that MoneySmart list below their calculator.
  • Calculations were made April 2021.

Disclaimer

This article is only intended to give approximate figures about the range of superannuation required to fund various retirement incomes. These figures do not take into account any of your personal circumstances and are also based on projections about future investment returns that may not be achieved. We recommend you undertake your own additional research for your own retirement planning and wherever possible seek independent financial advice.

Learn more about how to plan your retirement in the following SuperGuide articles:
Learn more about when to retire in the following SuperGuide articles:

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IMPORTANT: 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. Comments provided by readers that may include information relating to tax, superannuation or other rules cannot be relied upon as advice. SuperGuide does not verify the information provided within comments from readers. Learn more