Accessing Your Super
Superannuation is about saving for your retirement, so access to your super before you retire is limited. You are no longer required to withdraw your superannuation after age 65, upon retirement. You can now leave your super in your AvSuper account as long as you like.
Your superannuation benefit may consist of preserved and non preserved amounts; if there are no restrictions attached, non-preserved amounts can be taken in cash at any time. However, you generally have to retire and/or reach your preservation age before you can access your preserved super amounts.
Once eligible, you can withdraw your super as a lump sum or via an income stream - a transition to retirement income stream means you may even be able to get an income stream while you are still working!
- Are a temporary resident leaving Australia
- Cease employment on or after age 60
- Reach age 65 whether you are still working or not
- Retire early due to disablement or invalidity
- You can clearly demonstrate severe financial hardship or compassionate grounds
- You suffer from a terminal medical condition
- die
You can learn more about the access rules in APRA's Early Release of Superannuation brochure. Note that the process to access super on compassionate grounds was simplified on 1 November 2011.
To access or withdraw your superannuation benefit you need to download and complete a Withdrawal request and return it to us. To safeguard the security of your benefit, we will request certified copies of documents that prove your identity.
Your super benefits
How much you can withdraw from AvSuper depends on why you are withdrawing it. The following additional information may assist you when deciding to withdraw your super benefit from AvSuper:
