Updated on 1 July 2024
4 minute read
Dreaming of the day you don't have to work anymore? Start turning those dreams into plans. Check what age you can retire and use our tips to decide when you'll be in retirement mode.
Find out the age of retirement in Australia and when you can access your super.
There's no minimum age when you must retire in Australia. It's up to you when you’re ready to start working less or stop working for good.
But if you're looking for a rough guide, you can use:
The age you can access your super
The Age Pension age
Average retirement age
Australians can retire with their super from age 60.
You need to be a certain age to get access to most, or all, of your super. It's called your preservation age.
Ages when you can usually access your super
The starting age for the Age Pension is 67.
This is the current age limit set by the government.
If you're old enough but don't meet all the rules, you may be able to get other government benefits.
Age is just one part of Age Pension eligibility
To get these payments from Centrelink, you'll also have to:
The average age of retirement is increasing – it's now 56 years. Although many people plan to retire much later.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for 2022-23 show those aged 45+ intend to retire at 65 years, on average.
But the average retirement age for women is 54
Women retire 5 years sooner than men on average, according to ABS figures.
Australians can expect to live to 85 for women and 81 for men, on average (ABS, 2020–2022).
This means your retirement savings may need to last up to 30 years, depending on what age you retire.
Check your super balanceThe best age to retire depends on your situation and future plans.
It's not always an easy decision. And sometimes life decides for you.
How to work out your age of retirement
When deciding the age you want to retire, think about things like:
Your health
Your employment situation
The demands of your job
Your family's or partner’s situation
Your super and other savings
Your property or things you own (assets)
Any debts you have (e.g. credit cards or a mortgage)
Any large expenses like home renovations, overseas travel, or medical costs
Whether you could get the Age Pension
We're here for the long haul. Be part of an award-winning super fund with a long history of building financial futures.
For better or worse, your finances will play a huge role in figuring out what age you can retire. Here are some basics to get you started.
It depends on the lifestyle you want when you finish work. Do you plan on travelling the world or enjoying time at home with family and friends?
Check how much I need
Check how your super compares to others your age, and how much super you should have now for a comfortable retirement.
Compare my balance
Get a quick snapshot of how long your super will last in retirement. And see what you can do to reach your goals.
Retirement calculatorPersonal financial advice can help you decide what to do with your super, how the Age Pension might fit in, and more.
You don't need to wait until you retire – you can ask for advice anytime.
There are some cases when you can get your super early, such as total and permanent disability.
Please contact us for help with your ART account.
It depends on your situation and the type of pension account you want.
As a member with us, you can get tax-free payments from age 60 with our 3 pension options.
Compare pension accountsCheck our answers to some common questions about the age you can retire.
There's no official retirement age for anyone in Australia. So, women can choose when they want to retire, the same as men and non-binary people.
Women often end up with less super than men (called the super gender gap).
And because they retire earlier, and live longer, than men (on average), their retirement savings need to last longer.
But there are things you can do to help you win financially.
Yes, legally Australians can retire at any age. There's no compulsory retirement age in Australia.
But what does retirement age mean for you?
If you need your super or the Age Pension to be able to afford to stop working for good, there are age limits and rules for both.
While there's no set retirement age in Australia, the Age Pension age is currently 67.
The starting age for the Age Pension has gradually increased since 2017. Although the government currently has no plans in place to raise it further, there's no guarantee it will remain the same.
Everyone's situation is different, and it really depends on why you want to keep working.
If you'd like to ease into retirement, a transition to retirement pension lets you keep working while accessing some of your super.
Start planning your retiring age today. We can help you get ready, grow your super, and manage your savings once you finish work.
If you worry about being able to afford the lifestyle you want when you retire, you're not alone. Use our simple tips to boost your super and have more for the future.
6 min read
Have you ever wondered what happens to your super when die? There's a few things you can do to make sure it goes to the right person.
4 min read
Not all of us will be able to retire debt free. The good news is that there’s a number of things you can do while you’re still working to reduce your debts in retirement.
5 min read
