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Rules for accessing your super

If you are 65 or over, you can access your super whenever you’d like. Before 65, there are rules around when you can withdraw your super, known as conditions of release. These rules consider both your age and work situation to help ensure your super is there when you need it in retirement.Ìý
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Under 60 60-64 65+
You cannot access your super until you reach 60 except under early access rules. You can access your super if you meet a condition of release.Ìý You can access your super, whether you are working or not.Ìý

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Meeting a retirement condition of release

If you have reached 60 (but you're not yet 65), you can access your super if you:Ìý

You can go back to work after you retire, even if you declared you are permanently retired from work and still access your super. Any super you accumulate once you go back to work will be preserved until you meet a retirement condition of release again or turn 65.

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Choosing what to do with your super

Once you're eligible to access your super, you have three main options. You can mix and match these to suit your needs, or a combination of all three.

Move your super into a retirement account

Leave your super where it is to continue accumulating

Withdraw your super balance as a lump sum

Before making a decision about your super, it's worth taking a closer look at things like:Ìý
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  • How your money will be taxed once you take it out of superÌý
  • The impact of withdrawing your super on your Age Pension eligibility
  • The investment options available to youÌý
  • Whether you need to keep a super account for work.Ìý

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Comparing retirement accountsÌý

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Ìý Retirement Transition account Retirement Income account
Who is this account for? You want to access your super to top up your income while you’re still working You're ready to start getting paid a retirement incomeÌý
Who can use this account?
  • You are between age 60 and 64Ìý
  • You'll continue to work
  • You have reached age 60Ìý
  • You have met a condition of release or you're 65 or overÌý
Maximum income amount 10% of your account balance per yearÌý No maximum amountÌý
Access to lump sums No Yes

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Get an income from super even if you’re not retired yet

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A checklist for before you withdraw your super

  1. Consolidate your super - get all your super together to avoid paying multiple fees.[C1]
  2. Make sure you have nominated a beneficiary.Ìý
  3. Check your insurance coverage – you may have valuable insurance through your super account which does not carry over to a retirement account.Ìý

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How to withdraw a lump sum

Withdraw from your 91ºÚÁÏ Future Saver or Retirement Income account

  1. to your Member Online accountÌý
  2. Choose Withdrawals from the drop-down menu
  3. Complete the online transaction.

Did you know?

Withdrawing a lump sum is different to making a once-off income payment. They’re assessed differently for Transfer Balance Cap purposes. Withdrawing super could affect your Government Age Pension entitlement.

If you want to make a once-off income payment from your retirement account, you’ll have to fill out a form.Ìý

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FAQ

You may get early access to your super in specific circumstances:
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  • Severe financial hardship
  • Terminal illness or permanent disability
  • Compassionate grounds like medical treatment
  • First home deposit (through the First Home Super Saver Scheme)
  • Temporary residents leaving Australia permanently.

No, if you’re between 60 and 64 years old, a Retirement Transition account lets you access some of your super while you’re still working. At 65, you can access your super regardless of whether you work or not.

No, you can keep your super in your 91ºÚÁÏ Future Saver accumulation account or a retirement account. Many people choose to leave their money invested in super because of the tax benefits and professional investment management. When you need to access your super or have turned 65, a retirement account might work best for you. Your investment earnings in a Retirement Income account are tax free, where investment earnings in your Future Saver super account are taxed at 15%.Ìý

You can return to work after retiring and accessing your super.ÌýYou’ll need to have an accumulation account so that your employer can pay any new contributions. These new contributions will be preserved until you meet another condition of release or turn 65.

After age 60, most people can withdraw their super tax-free. Before 60, you might need to pay some tax on your withdrawals. The amount depends on whether you're taking a lump sum or income stream, and whether the money comes from taxable or tax-free components of your super.

Yes, when you’re 65, your super is yours to use.

For example: you might take a lump sum to pay off debt, then set up a Retirement Income account for regular payments. This flexibility lets you adjust your withdrawals to suit your needs.

The preservation age is 60 years old. Even if you've reached preservation age (60), you still need to meet a condition of release to access your super before age 65.

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Ìý Preservation age Unrestricted super access Age Pension eligiblity
Your age 60 65 67

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Yes, there are several ways to access super while working part-time:
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Your super balance and how you withdraw it can affect your Age Pension. It's worth checking how different withdrawal options might affect your pension entitlements.

  • If you move some of your super into a Retirement Income account and choose to leave your Future Saver account open, any insurance you have through your accumulation account may still remain active. You’ll need to leave at least $6,000 in your Future Saver account.Ìý
  • If you move all your super to a Retirement Income account and close your Future Saver account, any insurance in your super accumulation account won't carry over.Ìý
  • Consider whether you need to arrange alternative insurance cover before making the switch.

[C1]ÌýBefore consolidating, consider if this is right for you, including the loss of any insurance cover from your other funds, the impact on your investments, and potential tax implications and read the PDS and TMD at aware.com.au/pds. You may wish to speak with a qualified financial planner before making this decision.

Where to next?

Attend a retirement webinar

Join our experts as they break down super and finances into easy-to-understand topics through our live webinar education series.

Retire ready check-in with an adviser

Retiring in the next 24 months? You don’t have to go it alone. See how the options you have now could play out down the track.ÌýÌý

Learn with 91ºÚÁÏ

No matter where you’re starting from, we’ve got expert insights and tools to help you set up for retirement.