At What Age Can I Access Superannuation?

In Australia, you can access your super at age 65, when you retire, or when you reach your “preservation age,” which is anytime between the ages of 55 and 60. Your preservation age depends on the year you were born. If you have reached your preservation age but haven’t fully retired, you can still access part of your super using a transition to retirement pension. In some cases, you may be able to access a defined benefit pension starting at age 55. However, this depends on the fund you have.

Can I Access My Super Early?

Yes, however, there are restrictions on when you can access your super early. These circumstances include:

• Temporary or permanent incapacity
• Severe financial hardship
• Compassionate grounds to pay for medical treatment, vehicle or home modifications due to a disability, funeral expenses, or to prevent you from losing your home
• Terminal illness

How to Access Your Super Early

Once you’ve reached your preservation age plus 39 weeks, you can apply for any amount in your super if:

• You’ve received income support payments for 39 consecutive weeks since you reached your preservation age, and
• You’re unemployed or only partly employed for less than ten hours a week

If you have not reached your preservation age, you can apply to receive up to $10,000 of your super for any of the reasons listed above if:

• You haven’t made a withdrawal because of financial hardship in the last twelve months.
• You are currently receiving and have receive income support payments for 26 straight weeks, and
• You can’t meet your family’s living expenses. 

If you have a question about accessing your super, contact the financial experts at Mortgage House.