Super
The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.
Accessing your super benefits
Superannuation is a long-term investment, specifically designed to help you save money for retirement. For this reason there are restrictions on when you can access your super benefits.
You must meet a condition of release before you can access your benefits from your super fund.
The conditions of release include:
- You reach age 65
- You reach preservation age and permanently retire
- You die
- You are permanently incapacitated
- Your employment is terminated and the benefit is less than $200
- You are a lost member who is found and the benefit is less than $200.
Early access to super
There are very limited circumstances where you can access your super without meeting one of the conditions of release, such as severe financial hardship, or if you have a terminal medical condition.
For more information about early release of super benefits download the Quadrant fact sheet or visit the APRA website www.apra.gov.au.
Preservation age
Your preservation age is determined by your date of birth.
| Date of birth | Preservation age |
| 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 |
| From 1 July 1964 | 60 |
Please note: Your preservation age is not the same as your pension age when you may become eligible for certain government pension benefits depending on your income and assets.
