Claiming your superannuation means asking your super fund to pay out some or all of the money you have saved for retirement. It is not automatic — you need to meet the rules first, then lodge a claim with your fund. This guide walks you through every common situation: claiming super when you retire, claiming it when you leave the country, and claiming a deceased person’s super. The rules come from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), so what you read here matches the official position.
Quick Answer: How to Claim Superannuation
To claim your super, first check you meet a condition of release — usually reaching your preservation age (60 for most people now) and retiring, leaving a job after 60, or turning 65. Then log in to your super fund’s member portal, choose the withdrawal option, upload your ID, add your bank details, and submit. Most funds pay within a few business days. If you are a temporary resident leaving the country, you claim through the ATO’s Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) system instead.
When Can You Claim Your Super?
Your super stays locked until you meet one of the ATO’s conditions of release. The most common ones are:
- You reach your preservation age and retire. Preservation age is 60 if you were born on or after 1 July 1964. If you were born earlier, it is between 55 and 59 depending on your birth date.
- You leave a job after turning 60. Once you are 60 and end an employment arrangement, you can access the super built up to that point — even if you start a new job later.
- You turn 65. At 65 your super becomes fully unrestricted. You can withdraw it whether you are working or not.
- You start a transition to retirement income stream. After reaching preservation age, you can draw a regular income of between 4% and 10% of your balance each year while you keep working.
- Early release. In narrow cases — severe financial hardship, compassionate grounds, terminal illness or permanent incapacity — you can apply before preservation age. These are strictly assessed.
Reaching preservation age alone does not unlock your super. You also need to meet one of the conditions above. If you are unsure which age rules apply to you, see our guide on what age you can withdraw your superannuation.
How to Claim Your Super at Retirement: Step by Step
For most people, claiming super at retirement is a simple online process. Here is how it usually works:
Step 1: Find your super and check your balance
Log in to your fund’s member portal or app and check your balance. If you have more than one fund, consider whether to combine them first — multiple accounts mean multiple sets of fees. If you have lost track of an account, you can search for lost super through myGov or the ATO.
Step 2: Decide how you want the money
You can usually take your super as a lump sum, a regular income stream (an account-based pension), or a mix of both. A lump sum gives you the cash at once; a pension gives you regular payments and keeps the remaining balance invested. Think about what you will need for living costs, and remember that taking a large lump sum can affect Age Pension eligibility.
Step 3: Gather your documents
Your fund will need to verify your identity. Have these ready:
- Your Tax File Number (TFN)
- Photo ID, such as a driver’s licence or passport
- Your bank account details (BSB and account number) for the payment
- If you are retiring before 60, your fund may ask for a signed retirement declaration confirming you do not intend to work again
Step 4: Lodge your claim with your fund
Most funds let you apply online. Log in, go to the withdrawals or payments section, choose your reason for withdrawing, upload your documents, and submit. Some funds still accept a paper form if you prefer. There is no fee for a standard retirement withdrawal claim.
Step 5: Wait for payment
Once your fund approves the claim, the money is usually paid into your bank account within a few business days. If your documents are incomplete or your fund needs extra checks, it can take longer, so allow a couple of weeks and keep an eye on your email for any requests.
How Much Tax Will You Pay When You Claim Super?
If you are 60 or older, lump sum withdrawals from the taxed element of your super are tax-free. Most super in retail and industry funds is in the taxed element, so for most retirees there is no tax to pay. If you withdraw before 60, tax may apply — the rate depends on your age and the components of your payment. Your fund withholds any tax before paying you, so you do not need to calculate it yourself. For the full picture, read our guide on whether you pay tax on superannuation.
How to Claim Super When You Leave the Country (DASP)
If you worked here on a temporary visa and you are leaving for good, you can claim your super as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). You can only apply once you have left and your visa has expired or been cancelled. Citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens cannot use DASP — your super stays locked until retirement.
How to apply for a DASP
- Make sure your employer has paid all your super. Check your fund statements or ask your employer before you leave.
- Apply online through the ATO’s DASP online application system. It is free.
- You will need your Tax File Number, your passport details, and your fund details.
- If your balance is over $5,000, you may also be asked for a Certification of Immigration Status from Home Affairs, which is easier to arrange before you leave.
- Payments are usually made within 28 days of a complete application.
You can start the online application before you leave and save it, but you can only submit it after you have departed.
How much tax is withheld on a DASP?
DASP tax is withheld when the payment is made, and it does not go in a tax return. The rate depends on your visa history:
| Payment component | Other temporary visas | Working holiday maker (417 or 462) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax-free component | Nil | Nil |
| Taxable component, taxed element | 35% | 65% |
| Taxable component, untaxed element | 45% | 65% |
For most people, the whole balance is in the taxed element, so the rate is 35% — unless you ever held a working holiday maker visa, in which case the 65% rate applies to that fund’s whole payment, even if you later moved to another visa.
How to Claim a Deceased Person’s Super
When a super fund member dies, their balance (plus any insurance held inside the fund) is paid out as a death benefit. Super does not form part of the estate and is not distributed under a Will — the fund trustee decides who receives it, based on the member’s nomination and the rules of the fund.
To claim a death benefit, contact each super fund the person held money with. You will generally need the death certificate, your own photo ID, and proof of your relationship to the deceased or your authority as executor. If the person made a binding nomination, the trustee must pay the people named. If the nomination was non-binding — or there was none — the trustee has discretion and will usually pay a spouse, child or other dependant, or the legal personal representative of the estate. Payments to tax dependants (such as a spouse or a child under 18) are generally tax-free; payments to non-dependants may be taxed.
What If Your Super Is Lost or Held by the ATO?
If you have lost track of a super account, or your fund transferred your balance to the ATO as unclaimed super — which can happen after you leave the country and do not claim it within six months, or if an account becomes inactive — the money is not gone. You can search for it through myGov (linked to the ATO) and claim it back or roll it into your active fund. The same applies to ATO-held super from a DASP you never claimed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Claiming too early. Withdrawing super before you meet a condition of release is illegal, and schemes that promise early access are often scams. If you need money urgently, read our guide on how to get superannuation early to see which legal pathways exist.
- Forgetting an old fund. Many people have two or three accounts from past jobs. Find them all before you claim, or you will leave money behind.
- Ignoring the tax on a DASP. If you held a working holiday visa, 65% of the taxable component is withheld. Plan around the amount you will actually receive, not the full balance.
- Not checking your fees. Before you withdraw, check what fees your fund charges — high fees eat into your balance over time. Our guide to superannuation fees and charges explains what to look for.
- Leaving your beneficiary nomination out of date. Your nomination decides who gets your super if you die. Review it after major life changes such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim my super at 60 if I am still working?
Yes, if you leave a job after turning 60 you can claim the super built up to that point, even if you start a new job. If you stay in the same job, you can only access it through a transition to retirement income stream until you turn 65.
How long does it take to get my super after I claim?
A standard retirement claim is usually paid within a few business days once approved. A DASP claim is usually paid within 28 days. Delays usually come from missing documents, so have your ID and bank details ready before you apply.
Is there a fee to claim my super?
There is no fee for lodging a standard retirement claim or a DASP application. Your fund’s normal administration and investment fees still apply while your money is in the fund.
Can I claim super from more than one fund?
Yes. You need to lodge a separate claim with each fund that holds your money. That is why it is worth combining your accounts into one fund before you retire, if it suits you.
What happens if I never claim my super?
Your money stays in your fund and keeps being invested. It does not disappear. But if an account becomes inactive or you leave the country without claiming, the balance may eventually be transferred to the ATO as unclaimed super — and you can still claim it back later.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial advice. Superannuation rules can change, and the right choice depends on your own situation. If you are unsure, consider speaking with a licensed financial adviser before making a decision.
