Preserved super: what does it mean for your retirement?

Updated on 1 July 2025 | 3 minute read

Understanding when you can access your super can help you plan for the retirement you want.

What's preserved super?

Preserved super includes all contributions you or your employer make to your super and the earnings you make from it. It can also be called preserved benefits.

Any rollover money from another fund may also contain preserved benefits. Preserved super is your money that's locked away until you reach preservation age or meet certain conditions of release.

Your super may have up to 3 components:

Preserved
Restricted non-preserved
Unrestricted non-preserved

Your annual statement will have more information about whether you have any money in restricted non-preserved or unrestricted non-preserved super.

Why is super preservation important?

Super preservation helps set you up for a comfortable retirement. Keeping your super invested over time allows your money to grow. Over time, compound earnings can increase your super. Of course, market volatility can see your super balance fluctuate.

What's my preservation age?

If you haven't already reached it, your preservation age is 60. The Australian Government sets the age limits and other conditions of release for super.

Find out more about preservation age

There are rules for accessing your preserved super

To get money from your super, you generally need to be 60 and over and meet conditions of release. They are:

Under 60

In some special cases, you may be able to withdraw some of your super early (e.g. financial hardship, medical or funeral costs, terminal illness, or disability payouts).

Ages 60-64

You can access your super when:

You retire
You leave a job
You open a Transition to Retirement (TTR) Income account while you’re still working (limits apply).

65 or older

Everyone can get their super when they turn 65, even if you haven't retired.

What is unrestricted non-preserved super?

Unrestricted non-preserved super is money you can access on demand, because the money has already met a condition of release. You can use this money to open a Retirement Income account at any time, leave them in your super account, or the money can be withdrawn in full.

Restricted non-preserved super

This type of super includes employment-related contributions (but not the Super Guarantee payments). You can only access restricted non-preserved super when you meet a specific condition of release, like when you leave the job it's linked to.

Note: Your employer's compulsory Super Guarantee payments aren't part of restricted non-preserved super.

FAQs about unrestricted non-preserved super

We work for our members, not shareholders

It's no wonder 2.4 million Aussies trust us to manage their super. Want to join them?

Join ART Already a member? Log in