About the Super Preservation Age Calculator
This calculator works out your superannuation preservation age from your date of birth and shows the dates that matter for getting at your super: when you reach preservation age, when you turn 60 and when you turn 65. It then tells you which conditions of release apply on any date you choose.
Preservation age is the minimum age at which you can access super for retirement. It is not the same as Age Pension age (67). Under the ATO table it ranges from 55 for people born before 1 July 1960 up to 60 for anyone born on or after 1 July 1964. Because the youngest group reached 60 in mid-2024, everyone who has not yet reached preservation age now has a preservation age of 60.
Reaching preservation age alone does not unlock your super — you also need to meet a condition of release. The main ones are retiring (permanently, if you are under 60), stopping an employment arrangement on or after age 60, turning 65 (no conditions), or starting a transition to retirement income stream while you keep working. Your fund’s rules and tax treatment can differ, so confirm with your fund before acting.
With the default inputs, the your preservation age is 60 years. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the super preservation age calculator
- 1Enter your date of birth.
- 2Choose the date you want to check, such as your planned retirement date.
- 3Pick whether you will still be working, have stopped a job, or will be permanently retired.
- 4Read your preservation age, key dates and what access you would have on that date.
Formula and method
The calculator looks up your date of birth in the ATO preservation age table: 55 if born before 1 July 1960, rising by one year for each later financial year of birth, to 60 for anyone born from 1 July 1964. The date you reach preservation age is your birthday in that year; the 60th and 65th birthdays are worked out the same way.
It then applies the main retirement conditions of release to the date you choose: at 65 access is unrestricted; from 60 to 64 ending any employment arrangement releases the super built up to that point; between preservation age and 60 you need to retire permanently; and from preservation age a transition to retirement income stream is available while you keep working. Other release grounds (hardship, compassionate, terminal illness, incapacity) are outside this tool.
- Preservation age
- Minimum age to access super on retirement (55–60)
- Condition of release
- Event that lets your fund pay out, e.g. retirement or turning 65
Worked examples
Born March 1966, still working in July 2026
Anyone born from 1 July 1964 has a preservation age of 60, so this person reached it on 15 March 2026. Still working on 1 July 2026, they can start a transition to retirement pension, and stopping any job would release their super.
Born August 1963
Born between 1 July 1963 and 30 June 1964, the preservation age is 59, reached on 20 August 2022. In October 2022 they were still working and under 60, so only a transition to retirement income stream was available.
Born 1990, checking at 45
Younger Australians all have a preservation age of 60. Even if retired at 45, their super stays preserved until 1 May 2050 — 5,479 days away.
Frequently asked questions
What is my preservation age?+
It depends on your date of birth: 55 if born before 1 July 1960, 56 for 1960–61, 57 for 1961–62, 58 for 1962–63, 59 for 1963–64 and 60 if born on or after 1 July 1964. Everyone who has not reached preservation age yet has a preservation age of 60.
Can I access my super when I reach preservation age?+
Only if you also meet a condition of release. Between preservation age and 60 you must permanently retire (intend never to work 10 or more hours a week again), or you can start a transition to retirement income stream while working.
What happens at 60 and 65?+
From 60, ceasing any employment arrangement lets you access the super accumulated up to that point, even if you take another job later, and super from a taxed fund is generally tax-free. At 65 you can access all your super regardless of whether you are working.
Is preservation age the same as Age Pension age?+
No. Preservation age (55–60) controls access to your super. Age Pension age is 67 for anyone born on or after 1 January 1957 and is a separate Centrelink test that includes income and assets tests.
What is a transition to retirement pension?+
Once you reach preservation age you can move some super into a transition to retirement income stream while still working. You must withdraw between 4% and 10% of the balance each year and generally cannot take lump sums until you meet another condition of release.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.