Who can access their super early

You normally can’t use your super until you reach your preservation age. Read about preservation age on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.

To get your super released early you must meet 1 of these eligibility requirements:

• be in severe financial hardship
• have a terminal illness
• be a temporary resident
• have less than $200 in your super fund
• meet compassionate grounds.

Read the full details about early access to super on the ATO website.

If you’re in severe financial hardship

We consider you in financial hardship, if you’ve been on an income support payment more than 26 weeks in a row. We can confirm this in writing for you. Even if you meet the requirements, your super fund will decide whether to release your super to you early.

You must:

• be unable to pay reasonable and immediate family living costs
• be getting an income support payment
• have been on this payment for at least 26 weeks in a row.
• not get ABSTUDY, Austudy or Youth Allowance as a full time student.

There are different rules if you’re over preservation age and haven’t retired. You must:

• still be out of retirement – this might mean you’re looking for work, studying or working full or part time
• have reached your preservation age plus 39 weeks
• get an income support payment for at least 39 weeks in total since you reached your preservation age.