When can I access my superannuation savings?

Generally, you can only get access to your super when you permanently retire from the workforce, and also reach a minimum age set by law. This age is called your ‘preservation age'. There are other circumstances in which you may be able to access your superannuation. These include cases where you are permanently incapacitated and cannot work, in some cases of severe financial hardship, or on ‘compassionate grounds'.

The table below sets out the minimum age for accessing your superannuation:

Your date of birth	Age to access
Before 1 July 1960	55
1 July 1960 - 30 June 1961	56
1 July 1961 - 30 June 1962	57
1 July 1962 - 30 June 1963	58
1 July 1963 - 30 June 1964	59
After June 1964	60

Can I get access to my superannuation and continue to work?

If you have reached your preservation age, your fund can let you draw on your superannuation without having to retire permanently from the workforce. This means you could continue working part time and use part of your superannuation to supplement your income, instead of leaving the workforce altogether.

If you choose to keep working, you will have to receive your superannuation as a particular type of pension. These pensions, known as ‘non-commutable' pensions, provide you with a regular payment and cannot be cashed as a lump sum.
However, if you select a ‘non-commutable' allocated pension, you will be allowed to take a lump sum once you retire or reach age 65. Or you can stop the pension and put your benefits back into your superannuation fund, for example, if you decide to go back to full-time work.

The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way.