Once you reach age 60 you can normally access your super tax free. If you choose, from preservation age you can roll your superannuation balance into a TransPension account with TWUSUPER – this is our Super Pension product. Members who have met a condition of release may have access to tax-free payments.
Aged 60-64: Lump Sum
Being over age 60, there will be no tax payable, unless your balance includes a taxable (untaxed) component. If you have not yet met a superannuation condition of release, lump sum withdrawals are generally not permitted.
If you're aged 60 or over and withdraw a lump sum: You don't pay any tax when you withdraw from a taxed super fund. You may pay tax if you withdraw from an untaxed super fund, such as a public sector fund.
There are no special tax rates for a super withdrawal because of severe financial hardship. It is paid and taxed as a normal super lump sum. If you are under 60 years old, this is generally taxed between 17% and 22%. If you are older than 60 years old, you will not be taxed.
The taxable portion of the withdrawal will also be received tax-free up to the lifetime low rate cap, which is $230,000 for the 2022/23 financial year. However, any taxable component portion of a withdrawal above this lifetime cap will be taxed at 15%.
When you retire, you can withdraw 25% of this superannuation fund amount, and that amount is exempted from taxation. The remaining 75% is invested in an annuity fund in your name, to ensure regular returns during your retirement period.
There are absolutely no restrictions to accessing your Super Benefit when aged between 60 and 64 after you are retired. There are two ways you can access your Super; either as a lump-sum payment or as a pension.
Can I Get the Pension if I Have Super? Having superannuation savings does not deny you from receiving Age Pension payments. Eligibility for the Age Pension is based on an Assets Test and an Income Test.
There are no rules about what you can spend your super on if you choose to take it as a lump sum.
Taking money out of superannuation doesn't affect payments from us. But what you do with the money may. For instance we'll count it in your income and assets tests if you either: use it to buy an income stream.
Can I access super at 65 and keep working? Yes. You can access your super when you turn 65 regardless of whether you're still working. You can also make certain types of super contributions up until you turn 75, even if you're retired and drawing a super pension.
You may be able to take your superannuation as a lump sum payment when you retire. This is usually tax-free from age 60.
Can I Access My Super At 57 And Still Work? Provided you have met your superannuation preservation age, you are able to access your superannuation and continue to work.
If you're aged over 60, you can work part time and still access your super, provided the role is with a new employer, not the employer you left to meet your 'ceasing employment' condition of release.
Lump Sum withdrawals when aged over 65
There is no maximum Lump Sum amount if you are aged over 65 and you are free to access all your Super Benefit as desired. No tax is payable on Lump Sum withdrawals made after 65.
You cannot withdraw more than 10% or less than 4% in any one financial year under the transition to retirement rules.
You can only transfer your super to your bank account if you are eligible to access your super. To be eligible to access your super, you generally need to have at least met your superannuation preservation age.
A Lump Sum Gives You More Control of Your Assets
By accepting a lump sum from the pension, you gain the control over your income assets. Even if the income generated from the lump sum is less than the promised annuity payment from the pension, you gain control over the assets.
seniors and pensioners who, at the end of the relevant financial year, are 66 years of age or older (for example, to be eligible for the year ending 30 June 2021, a payee must be born on or before 30 June 1955)
For example, if you are a single homeowner you can get a full pension with an asset limit of $270,500. As a couple with a home and combined assets your limit is reached at $405,000 to receive a full pension.
Assets test
For a couple to qualify for the full Age Pension, your combined assets must be below $419,000 if you own your own home, or $643,500 if you don't own your own home.
Pre-planning helps
ASFA estimates people who want a comfortable retirement need $640,000 for a couple, and $545,000 for a single person when they leave work, assuming they also receive a partial age pension from the federal government. For people who are happy to have a modest lifestyle, this figure is $70,000.
The ASFA Retirement Standard Explainer says a comfortable retirement lifestyle would need $640,000 in super for a couple, or $545,000 for a single person.