Super is designed for retirement, so there are rules about when you can access it. The key concept is "preservation age", which is the earliest age you can access your super, provided you meet certain conditions.
Get this wrong and you're either leaving money on the table (waiting too long to access super you could be using) or falling for illegal early access schemes that cost you fines and penalties.
Preservation Age is Now 60 for Everyone
As of 2025, preservation age is 60 for all Australians. The old sliding scale (55-60 based on birth year) is now irrelevant! Everyone born before July 1964 has already turned 60, and everyone born after has a preservation age of 60 anyway.
Simple rule: You can access your super when you turn 60 AND meet a condition of release (usually ceasing employment).
This simplification makes planning much easier. You no longer need to look up your birth year to determine your preservation age - it's 60 for everyone.
Key Ages Explained
Age 60: Preservation Age
Once you reach 60 AND cease an employment arrangement, you can access your super tax-free. You don't have to be fully retired, you just have to leave one job. You can start a new job the next day and still access your super.
Transition to Retirement (TTR): From preservation age, you can start a TTR pension while you are still working. This lets you supplement your income or implement tax-effective strategies, but withdrawals are limited to 10% of your balance per year.
Age 65: Unrestricted Access
At 65, you can access your super regardless of work status. There is no need for you to retire or cease employment. This is full, unrestricted access.
This is an important milestone because it removes the requirement to meet a condition of release. You can continue working full-time and still access your super if you want to.
Age 67: Age Pension Age
This is when you may become eligible for the Age Pension (subject to assets and income tests). It's separate from super access but important for retirement planning.
Many people confuse Age Pension age with super access age, but they're different:
- Super access: Can start at 60 (with conditions) or 65 (unrestricted)
- Age Pension: Eligibility starts at 67 (subject to means testing)
Conditions of Release
To access your super before 65, you generally need to meet a "condition of release." The most common conditions are reaching preservation age and you are either permanently retiring or ceasing an employment arrangement.
Ceasing Employment
The key distinction is that "ceasing employment" doesn't mean you can't work again. You simply need to end one employment arrangement. Many people access their super at 60 by leaving one job, then continue working elsewhere or start their own business.
Important: "Ceasing employment" means ending an employment arrangement. It doesn't mean you can't work again. Many people access their super at 60 by leaving one job, then continue working elsewhere or start their own business.
This flexibility is important for retirement planning. You might:
- Leave your full-time job at 60
- Access your super to supplement income
- Start part-time consulting or a small business
- Continue earning while also drawing from super
Permanent Retirement
If you're permanently retiring (not planning to work again), you can access your super once you reach preservation age (60).
Age 65: Automatic Access
At age 65, you gain automatic access to your super regardless of work status. There's no need to retire or cease employment. This is full, unrestricted access that applies to everyone.
Special Conditions for Early Access
There are also special conditions for early access in exceptional circumstances:
- Terminal Illness: If you have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than 24 months, you can access your super early.
- Permanent Incapacity: Meaning you're unable to ever work again, also qualifies for early access.
- Severe Financial Hardship: This is another condition, though it has strict criteria and typically allows only limited access. You generally need to be receiving certain government benefits and unable to meet reasonable living expenses.
- Compassionate Grounds: Cover specific circumstances like:
- Paying for medical treatment that isn't covered by insurance
- Preventing foreclosure on your home
- Paying for palliative care
- Making payments on a loan to prevent foreclosure
These special conditions require evidence and approval from your super fund and/or the ATO.
Access at 60 by "ceasing employment" vs waiting till 65? The 5-year difference could be $200K+ in lifestyle or working flexibility. Model YOUR early access strategy. Calculate retire-at-60 scenario →
Tax on Super Withdrawals
Understanding the tax treatment of super withdrawals is important for planning:
| Age | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|
| Under preservation age | Generally can't access (except special conditions) |
| Preservation age to 59 | Tax-free up to low-rate cap ($235,000), then 15% + Medicare |
| 60 and over | Tax-free (from taxed super funds) |
Key Points:
- Once you turn 60, withdrawals from taxed super funds are generally tax-free
- The low-rate cap ($235,000) applies if you access super between preservation age and 59
- Untaxed super funds (like some public sector funds) may have different tax treatment
- Always check with your super fund about the tax treatment of your specific account
Tax-free at 60 vs 15% tax at 58? The low-rate cap is $235K. Model YOUR exact withdrawal timing and tax impact for early retirement. Calculate your tax strategy →
Early Access: Be Careful
Some promoters claim they can help you access super early through various schemes. Be very cautious about this � illegal early access schemes exist and carry severe penalties.
How to Spot Illegal Schemes
Red flags:
- Someone offers to help you access super early for a fee
- Promises to "get around" the rules or use "loopholes"
- Pressure to act quickly or sign documents immediately
- Vague explanations about which condition of release you're using
- Requests for super fund login details or personal information
- Claims that sound too good to be true
If someone claims they can get you early access, they're either lying or running an illegal scheme. There are no secret loopholes.
Consequences of Illegal Access
Penalties include:
- Fines of up to $15,000+ (or more for serious cases)
- Tax on the entire withdrawn amount plus penalties
- The scammer taking 20-40% of your super as their "fee"
- Criminal prosecution (yes, participants get prosecuted, not just promoters)
- Permanent damage to your retirement savings
The ATO actively pursues these schemes. You're not clever for finding a "loophole", you're on a list. Wait until 60, or meet a legitimate condition of release.
How to Verify Legitimate Access
Always verify any claims with:
- The ATO (Australian Taxation Office)
- A licensed financial adviser
- Your super fund directly
If someone offers to help you access your super early, ask:
- What specific condition of release do I meet?
- Can you provide written documentation?
- What are the fees and charges?
- What are the tax implications?
Remember: Legitimate early access is only available through the official conditions of release we've discussed. If someone offers to help you access your super early for a fee, or suggests ways to "get around" the rules, they're likely operating an illegal scheme.
Planning Your Super Access
The estratégica is straightforward:
- Age 60: Earliest access (if you cease employment)
- Ceasing employment doesn't mean retirement: Leave one job, access super, start another job the next day if you want
- Tax-free from 60: Withdrawals are completely tax-free (from taxed super funds)
- Age 65: Unrestricted access regardless of work status
- Age 67: Age Pension eligibility kicks in (if you meet means tests)
The sweet spot for many people is accessing super at 60 while continuing to work part-time or in a new role. You get:
- Tax-free super withdrawals plus earned income
- Flexibility to reduce work hours without sacrificing lifestyle
- Ability to test retirement before fully committing
- Option to implement tax-effective transition to retirement (TTR) strategies
Calculator interface showing retirement age input field and how preservation age (60) is used in calculations
Plan Your Super Access Strategy
Access at 60, 62, or 65? Model the exact tax impact, Age Pension eligibility, and income sustainability for YOUR preservation age strategy.
Try the Advanced CalculatorDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Consult a licensed financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.