When do I get access to my superannuation?

Cara Brett 9 May 2015

 

At Bounce Financial, we are big enthusiasts of saving and planning for your retirement. The earlier you start the better. But in order to plan for your retirement, it is important to understand when you will get access to your superannuation.

It should be noted that all information given in this blog article relates to the rules as they stand today. 

If I was a betting man, I would say it is likely that the government will increase access ages in the years to come.

That being said, these are the ages you may get access to your superannuation.

PRESERVATION AGE

You may access your superannuation balance once you hit what is known as ‘preservation age’. Your preservation age is not the same as your pension age and depends on when you were born.

The following table will help you work it out:

How much of your superannuation you may access relates to whether you are retired or not. If you are retired and do not intend to return to work, you will gain access to the entirety of the benefit. If you intend to still work, you may gain access to a portion of it not exceeding 10% a year. This is what is known as a ‘Transition to Retirement’ strategy.

Please note that there a significant tax consequences depending on when you intend to take your superannuation balance. The particulars of these are too complex to explain in this blog article and we recommend you seek advice prior to making any decisions.

Knowing when you may get access to your superannuation helps you to plan better and ensure that you have enough money in your fund when you finally retire. Like the saying goes, those who fail to plan, plan to fail.

So what about you? How much do you want to have in your super fund by the time you reach ‘preservation age’?

This post is from Ben Brett. Check out our details in the About Us page.

Posted in: Ben BrettFinancial Planning, and Superannuation

About the author: Cara Brett

Cara Brett proudly heads up Bounce Financial - founded in 2014 after a successful, decade-long career in the financial services industry. Cara’s experience encompasses both the financial product and financial advice sides. This gives her a comprehensive and holistic knowledge of all facets of financial planning.