Accessing Your Super
Superannuation is about saving for your retirement, so the law restricts access to your super before you retire.
On the other hand, you can now leave your super in your AvSuper account as long as you like – even if you are over 65 and no longer working.
If you want to find out how much super you can access, make an appointment with one of our Member Advice Consultants for an estimate.
Preserved super
For most members, some or all of your super will have to be preserved until age 60.
The preserved part of your super must generally be kept in a superannuation fund until you meet one of the following criteria:
- You reach your preservation age (and permanently retire if under 60) so your money is no longer preserved
- You change your employer after age 60
- You turn 65
- You die (in which case your beneficiaries will receive your savings)
- You meet another condition of release under super legislation
- Your balance is less than $200
The age at which you can take your preserved super as a lump sum, and related employment rules, depends on your date of birth.
Date of birth | Preservation age |
---|---|
before 1 July 1960 | 55 |
1 July 1960 to 30 June 1961 | 56 |
1 July 1961 to 30 June 1962 | 57 |
1 July 1962 to 30 June 1963 | 58 |
1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964 | 59 |
1 July 1964 and after | 60 |
These three categories relate to your ability to access that part of your super – they don’t have any impact on how your super is invested or what fees or earnings are applied to those amounts.
- Preserved
- This is the super you can’t access until you reach your preservation age or meet an early release requirement. This includes all contributions and earnings since 1 July 1999.
- Restricted non-preserved
- This applies to certain contributions (such as salary sacrifice and above SG employer contributions) made before 1 July 1999. You can access this money if you meet a condition of release, such as changing employers.
- Unrestricted non-preserved
- This is money still in your account although you have satisfied a condition of release. You can access this money now.
Different preservation rules apply depending on whether your superannuation start date is before or after 1 July 1999.
Any non-preserved super you had at 30 June 1999 can generally be taken as cash when your super becomes payable (eg on resignation or retrenchment). This rule applies even if you roll the money into other funds.
Withdrawal processes
If you think you are eligible to withdraw your super, whether because it is unpreserved or early access may apply, please contact us so we can provide you with the correct forms and procedures for your circumstances.
AvSuper rules apply to partial withdrawals, such as maintaining a minimum balance of $5,000 and only making one withdrawal to another fund per twelve month period.
Please note we will request authority to access electronic identification records or certified copies of documents that prove your identity before withdrawing any money from your account. Due to these requirements, withdrawals may take time to be processed but we arrange it as fast as possible.