You are no longer required to withdraw your superannuation after age 65, upon retirement. You can leave your super in your AustralianSuper account as long as 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
- Preserved amounts must be kept in a superannuation or rollover fund until you retire permanently from the workforce and reach what is known as your preservation age.
| 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 |
| After 1 July 1964 |
60 |
Earlier access to preserved benefits may be available if you:
- 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
- You die.
To access or withdraw your superannuation benefit you need to call AustralianSuper on 1300 300 273, weekdays 8am-8pm (EST).
In return AustralianSuper will send you:
- A quote of the benefit amount, and
- An application form to claim your benefit.
The application form needs to be completed and returned along with any documents requested.
To safeguard the security of your benefit, we will request certified copies of documents that prove your identity. To certify documents you will need to:
- Take the original documents and photocopies to a person listed below for him/her to certify that the copy is a true and correct copy of the original
- The certification must include the name, address, occupation, telephone number and registration number (if applicable) of the certifying authority.
Authorised Persons include:
- A Justice of the Peace or Bail Justice
- A Barrister or Solicitor of the Supreme Court
- A member of the Police force
- A Registered Medical Practitioner
- A Dentist
- A Veterinary Practitioner
- A Pharmacist
- A Bank Branch Manager
- A Minister of religion
- A Teacher
- A Chartered or Certified Practicing Accountant
- A Commissioner of Oaths for the Northern Territory
- A permanent employee of Australia Post with two or more years of continuous service
- A finance company officer with two or more years of continuous service (with one or more finance companies)
- An officer with, or authorised representative of, a holder of an Australian Financial Service Licence (AFSL), having five or more years continuous service with one or more licensees
- A person qualified to witness affidavits
- A Notary Public Officer
- A Registrar or Deputy Registrar of a court
- A person enrolled on the roll of a State or Territory Supreme Court or the High Court of Australia, as a legal practitioner
- An Australian Consular Officer or an Australian Diplomatic Officer
- A Magistrate or Judge of a court
- A Chief Executive Officer of a Commonwealth court
- An Industry Funds Financial Planner.