The reality is you can retire or change pace whenever you choose. What you can’t do until 67 is access the Age Pension and you can only access your superannuation from 60 if you meet a condition of release.
For many people aged in their late 50s or early 60s, especially those in physically demanding jobs, that distinction matters.
If you’ve spent decades on the tools in construction, manufacturing, caring, hospitality or trades, there may come a point when you can no longer continue doing that work.
With National Volunteer Week underway, it’s a timely reminder that contribution doesn’t always look the same at every stage of life. This is something we recognise at Services Australia, and I’ll come back to how that works a little later.
If you’ve recently been made redundant, become unwell or can no longer do your usual work due to injury or illness, you’re not alone. And importantly, there is support available.
JobSeeker Payment: a safety net during transition
The JobSeeker Payment can provide a financial safety net for Australians between 22 and Age Pension age, who are looking for work, recovering from illness or injury, or reassessing what comes next.
Generally, to receive JobSeeker Payment, you need to undertake tasks and activities that help you find a job, known as ‘mutual obligations’. But for older Australians, there is far more flexibility in what these activities look like.
Many people may be surprised to learn they can do volunteer work to make up part of their mutual obligation requirements if they are aged 55 or over. Volunteering can be a practical way to stay engaged, contribute meaningfully, and maintain structure — particularly for people easing out of full‑time work and into retirement.
You can use the Verification of voluntary work form to seek approval for this.
Other activities might also include paid work, self-employment, and study, and can be undertaken either alone or in combination.
Eligibility for JobSeeker Payment and how much you can get
Eligibility depends on residency, the income and assets test, and your capacity to work.
How much you receive depends on your situation.
As of 20 March 2026, a single person with no children could receive up to $808.70 per fortnight. But this will vary if you have a partner, children, other sources of income, or redundancy or leave payouts.
| Your situation | Your maximum fortnightly payment from 20 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | $808.70 |
| Single, with a dependent child or children | $866.00 |
| Single, 55 or older, after 9 continuous months on an income support payment | $866.00 |
| Single, assessed as having a partial capacity to work of less than 15 hours a week | $866.00 |
| Partnered | $740.30 |
Single principal carer granted an exemption from mutual obligation requirements for any of the following:
| $1,047.30 |
Sourced from Services Australia’s website March 2026.
Things to consider before claiming and free financial help
A great first step could be speaking with Services Australia’s Financial Information Service (FIS).
FIS officers provide free, confidential and impartial information to help people understand their options beyond our payments.
They can, for example, explain how early retirement works, outline the risks of drawing on it too soon, and help you think about your choices.
Generally speaking, at 60, you may access your super if you meet a condition of release such as you retire permanently and don’t intend to work more than 10 hours a week again. Or if you start a transition to retirement while you’re still working, you can withdraw up to 10% of your super each year as a transition to retirement income stream.
A FIS officer can also help you explore other payments you might be eligible for depending on your situation, such as the Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension.
You can find tailored information using Services Australia’s Payment and Service Finder, or call 132 300 and ask for the Financial Information Service.
Just remember, the next chapter isn’t about stopping, it’s about finding a different way forward.
Originally published by Yahoo Finance on 17 May 2026.