Home / SMSFs / SMSF pensions / SMSFs: What are the lump sum withdrawal rules?

SMSFs: What are the lump sum withdrawal rules?

Accessing all your superannuation money at once can be tempting, especially if you want to pay off your home or go on a major holiday immediately after you retire. But if you do choose to take your super as a lump sum, there are rules and regulations you need to be aware of.

So, before you book those plane tickets, make sure you’re on top of what you can and can’t do.

Lump sum payments and tax implications?

The tax treatment of both lump sum payments and pension payments is essentially the same since the preservation age increased to age 60 from 1 July 2024.

  • If you are 60 years of age or older and meet a condition of release with no cashing restriction, such as retiring from gainful employment or reaching age 65, any lump sum withdrawal from your self-managed super fund (SMSF) is tax free.
  • If you are over age 60 and still working, you may be able to start a transition-to-retirement pension, but you would not usually be allowed to access a lump sum payment; you would need to wait until you meet a further condition of release.

How do I take a lump sum?

About the author

Related topics,

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

© Copyright SuperGuide 2008-25. Copyright for this guide belongs to SuperGuide Pty Ltd, and cannot be reproduced without express and specific consent. Learn more

Responses

  1. GEORGE KAHWATI Avatar
    GEORGE KAHWATI

    Hi,

    I have a question: I am retired, I draw a pension from my SMSF, to draw a lump sum from accumulation account, does this process require special documentation? appreciate your guidance, thanks. George

    1. SuperGuide Avatar
      SuperGuide

      Hi George,

      Your request for payment from your SMSF should specify whether the payment should be made from the pension account or accumulation account. There should then be a trustee resolution (minute) confirming the request will be actioned.

      Best wishes
      The SuperGuide team

  2. Dion MCKINNON Avatar
    Dion MCKINNON

    Can you please advise of the process of a in species transfer of real estate out of the smsf into my own personal name. The real estate property has a limited recourse borrowing arrangment on it.

    Please advise asap as I have time restrictions on it.

    1. SuperGuide Avatar
      SuperGuide

      Hi Dion – We cannot provide any personal advice, but we recommend that you review the following guide: In-specie transfers out of an SMSF.

      Best wishes, The SuperGuide team

Leave a Reply