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.

You super is generally not accessible until you:

  • permanently retire or ceased an employment arrangement with an employer on or after reaching preservation age, which is 60*,
  • reach age 65 (whether you are working or not) or,
  • you meet another condition of release. See early access to 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. You could also choose a combination of these options to suit your needs.

Profit for member

Receive income while working*

You can start receiving income from your super while you are still working by opening a Brighter Super Transition to Retirement (TTR) Pension, provided you have reached age 60.

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Receive regular income in retirement

You can turn your super into a regular income stream by opening a Brighter Super Pension. This can be opened if you have permanently retired after reaching age 60 or are over 65.

Profit for member

Stay in super*

You can leave your super in your Brighter Super Accumulation Account for as long as you want. This gives you more time to decide how you would like to access your savings.

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Cash withdrawal

You can withdraw some or all of your super whenever you need it, if you have permanently retired after reaching age 60, are over 65 or have met another condition of release.

*Investment earnings are generally taxed at 15%.

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 eligible 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 approved, the Trustee will determine the amount of your payment, between the limits of $1,000 and $10,000. You cannot access more than the balance of your super account and you can only access severe financial hardship once every 12 months.
  • 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, you are unemployed or employed for less than ten hours a week when you make your application for payment under financial hardship.

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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