The key purpose of superannuation is to provide individuals with benefits for their retirement, which is when most people will access their superannuation savings. But, in some cases, individuals may be able to access some of their superannuation early upon meeting certain eligibility rules.

Common conditions of release

A condition of release must be met before you can access your superannuation benefits. The most common conditions of release for paying benefits are when you:

• Have reached your preservation age and retire (see below for preservation age)
• Have reached your preservation age and begin a transition-to-retirement income stream
• Cease an employment arrangement on or after the age of 60
• Turn 65 years of age (even if you haven’t retired)
• Pass away

Preservation age

Access to superannuation benefits is generally restricted to individuals who have reached their preservation age. This is because the preservation rules aim to prevent early access to benefits.

The table below summarises when you may reach your preservation age and therefore potentially access your superannuation benefits:

Other conditions of release

Besides the common condition of release events that apply to most cases, there are other special circumstances where at least part of your superannuation benefits can be released before you have reached preservation age. This less common condition of release events are summarised below.

1. Terminal Medical Condition

Access to your superannuation can be granted where you have a terminal medical condition and the following requirements are met:

• two registered medical practitioners have certified that you suffer from an illness/injury that is likely to result in death within two years of the practitioner certification being provided, and
• at least one of these practitioners is a specialist in respect of the illness/injury suffered by you, and
• the 24-month certification period has not ended.

2. Permanent Incapacity

Your superannuation fund must be satisfied that you have a permanent physical or mental medical condition that is likely to stop you from ever working again in a job you were qualified to do by education, training, or experience (not just any gainful employment). Your occupation and nature of the injury are therefore key.

3. Temporary Incapacity

Temporary incapacity means physical or mental ill-health that causes you to temporarily cease to be gainfully employed but does not constitute permanent incapacity. It’s not necessary for your employment to fully cease but, generally, you would not be eligible for temporary incapacity benefits if you were on paid sick leave from your employment for instance.

4. Severe Financial Hardship

To qualify, your superannuation fund must be satisfied that either:

• you have been receiving government income support payments continuously for 26 weeks and you were unable to meet reasonable and immediate family living expenses, or
• if you have reached preservation age plus 39 weeks – you have received government income support payments continuously for 39 weeks since reaching preservation age and were not gainfully employed full-time or part-time at the time of making an application to the trustee of your fund.

5. Compassionate Grounds

You can access some of your superannuation on compassionate grounds if you can prove to your superannuation fund that you lack the financial capacity to pay for:

• medical treatment (defined as life-threatening illnesses or to alleviate chronic pain or mental disturbance) and medical transport for you or your dependant
• palliative care for you or your dependant
•  making a payment on a home loan or council rates so you don’t lose your home
• accommodating a disability for you or your dependant, or
• expenses associated with the death, funeral, or burial of your dependant.

6. First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS)

To help you save for your first home, you can apply to release voluntary concessional (before-tax) and voluntary non-concessional (after-tax) contributions you have made to your superannuation fund since 1 July 2017.

You can apply to have a maximum of $15,000 of your voluntary contributions from any one financial year included in your eligible contributions to be released under the FHSSS, up to a total of $50,000 contributions across all years. You will also receive an amount of earnings that relate to those contributions.

Need more information?

There are many factors to consider before accessing your superannuation, including how it will impact your retirement, taxation, and what effect it will have on any other benefits you’re receiving.

Please contact us if you would like more information on any of these conditions of release and would like to discuss your options. We will explain the conditions and requirements that need to be met to demonstrate your eligibility which may help you access your superannuation benefits.