Phone 1800 444 396
Web brightersuper.com.au
Email info@brightersuper.com.au
Post GPO Box 264, Brisbane QLD 4001

When can I access my super?

Generally, you can only access your super savings when you satisfy a condition of release. However, there are some specific circumstances where you may be able to access some of your super earlier.

Your super is not generally accessible until you:

  • reach preservation age, which is 60*
  • permanently retire or leave your employer after reaching age 60*
  • reach age 65 (whether you are working or not) or,
  • or you meet another condition of release. See early access to your super below.

*These conditions of release do not apply to New Zealand-sourced amounts transferred from KiwiSaver schemes. These amounts can only be accessed once a member reaches New Zealand's retirement age (currently 65 years).

How can I access my super?

When you are eligible to access your super, you have the following options depending on your age, employment, condition of release and retirement needs.

Option 1

Open a Brighter Super Transition to Retirement (TTR) Pension account:
If you have reached preservation age (60) but you're not quite ready to retire, you can access some of your super while still working.

Option 2

Open a Brighter Super Pension account:
When you reach preservation and permanently retire, or are over 65, you can access your super.

Option 3

Cash withdrawal:
You can withdraw your super if you have permanently retired after reaching preservation age (60), are over 65, or have met another condition of release.
You can withdraw all of your super and close your account, or keep some of your money in your super account and make withdrawals whenever you need it.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for a withdrawal is through Member Online. If you need any assistance withdrawing funds online, please call us and we can walk you through the process.

Early access to super

There are circumstances where you can access your super as a lump sum before retirement. These conditions of release include:

  • Temporary residents permanently leaving Australia.
  • Death or terminal illness.
  • Total and permanent disability.
  • Severe financial hardship, as defined by the Australian Government.
  • Compassionate grounds, approved by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

For more information about early access download our Member Guide.

If you are in severe financial hardship and are unable to meet reasonable and immediate family living costs, you can apply to Brighter Super to have all or part of your super released.

Your eligibility depends on your age and income support history:

  • If you are under your preservation age plus 39 weeks, you must have received an Australian Government income support payment for a minimum period of 26 continuous weeks and you must be able to show you cannot meet reasonable and immediate family living expenses.
  • If you have already reached your preservation age, you must have received an eligible income support payment for at least 39 weeks (cumulative) since reaching your preservation age.

Note: Members are unable to access their preserved benefits due to severe financial hardship unless they have held a Brighter Super account for at least 12 months.

If you meet the eligibility criteria you can submit an application, as follows:


You’ll need:

  • Your Centrelink Reference Number (CRN). This will allow us to confirm your eligibility through Services Australia – Centrelink eServices.
  • Proof of identity (driver’s licence or passport).
  • Bank account details for payment.
  • Financial details (income, expenses, assets, liabilities).

Your request to claim a benefit for severe financial hardship will usually be processed within 5 to 7 working days once all complete and correct information is received.

  • Saving for a first home

    The First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme lets you use your Brighter Super account to help grow a house deposit. Under the scheme, you can contribute up to $50,000 to super and later withdraw the contributions to put towards the deposit on a home. Find out more on the ATO website.

  • Non-preserved benefits

    Some super contributions and investment earnings may be accessible before you reach your preservation age, if they were made before 1 July 1999.

    These are known as ‘non-preserved benefits’ and are shown on your annual statement as either of the following:

    • Unrestricted non-preserved amounts that can be accessed at any time.
    • Restricted non-preserved amounts that can be accessed when you leave your employer.

    If you have non-preserved benefits and would like to access them, please call us on 1800 444 396.

Join Brighter Super today

We’re here to make things easy and help you get the most from your super so you can enjoy a better lifestyle in the years ahead.

Join Brighter Super today

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