For most people, the answer is age 60 if you've retired or left a job, or age 65 whether or not you're still working. There are a few narrow exceptions.

Reviewed 31/10/2026. General information only, not personal advice.

The main ways to access your super

Super is meant for retirement, so it's "preserved" until you meet a condition of release. The most common are:

• Retiring after preservation age: What it means: You've reached 60 and retired. What you can access: All of your super
• Leaving a job after 60: What it means: You've reached 60 and an employment arrangement ends. What you can access: The super you'd built up until that job ended
• Turning 65: What it means: You reach 65, whether or not you're working. What you can access: All of your super
• Transition to retirement: What it means: You've reached 60 and are still working. What you can access: A TTR pension of 4% to 10% of the balance each year, but no lump sums

Preservation age is now 60

Preservation age used to depend on your date of birth. For anyone born on or after 1 July 1964 it's 60, so for everyone who hasn't reached it yet, the age is 60.

Early access: only on limited grounds

You may be able to access some super early, but only in specific situations, such as:

• Severe financial hardship: generally, receiving eligible government income support for a continuous period, and unable to meet reasonable immediate living expenses
• Compassionate grounds: for example, certain medical treatment or to stop the forced sale of your home, approved by the ATO
• Terminal medical condition
• Permanent or temporary incapacity
• First Home Super Saver Scheme: for eligible voluntary contributions only

Be wary of anyone offering to help you access super early outside these rules. Illegal early release schemes can cost you your savings and bring heavy tax penalties.

Before you withdraw

Being able to access your super doesn't mean you have to take it out. Before you withdraw or start a pension, think about:

• how long you'll need your super to last
• whether keeping it invested in super, or moving it to a pension account, is more tax-effective
• what happens to any insurance held in your fund
• how withdrawals affect your Age Pension eligibility later

Rules are from the ATO, current at the review date shown.

See what it means for you

Your initial discussion is free, and any advice fees are explained before you decide to go ahead. Book an initial discussion or call 07 3733 1731. Meet face to face in Eight Mile Plains, or online anywhere in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

What is my preservation age?

Preservation age is the age you can access super if you retire. It's 60 for anyone born on or after 1 July 1964, which now covers everyone who hasn't yet reached it.

Can I access my super at 60 if I'm still working?

If you're 60 and stop an employment arrangement, the super you'd built up until then becomes accessible, even if you start another job later. If you keep working in the same job, you can usually start a transition to retirement pension, but not take lump sums until you retire or turn 65.

Is super tax-free after 60?

For most people, lump sums and pension payments from a taxed super fund are tax-free from age 60. Some public sector schemes have untaxed elements that are treated differently.

Can I use my super to buy a house?

Generally no. The First Home Super Saver Scheme lets eligible first home buyers withdraw certain voluntary contributions they've made, plus associated earnings, but not their employer contributions.

Related reading

• Retirement Planning
• Retiring at 60 in Australia
• Account-based pension vs TTR
• Super calculator