The Commonwealth Government wants you to keep your money in super until you reach your preservation age and have permanently retired from the workforce.

Can I access any part of my super?

If you resign or are retrenched, you may be able to access part of your super. If you made any personal after-tax contributions to super before 1 July 1999, you will be able to withdraw this amount and any investment returns on that amount until 30 June 1999. This is known as your cash value or non-preserved component.

Any investment returns from 1 July 1999 would form part of your preserved benefit and can't be accessed until you reach your preservation age. Any contributions made on or after 1 July 1999 can't be accessed until you reach your preservation age.

What can I do with my cash value?

You have several options with the cash value of your resignation or retrenchment benefit, and if you want, you can select a combination of these:

• Leave your money in QSuper
  Many people choose this simple, yet effective option where you leave your benefit in a QSuper Accumulation account.
• Transfer your cash value to a QSuper Allocated Pension account
  A QSuper Allocated Pension account is exclusive to QSuper members wanting to transfer at least $30,000 of their super benefit. To be eligible to open an account, your benefit must be available in cash. You can also choose how your money is invested.
• Cash in your benefit
  You can take all or part of your cash value out of the super system. You should be aware that superannuation lump sum tax will apply. You will usually achieve a tax saving by leaving your benefit in super. Our Tax explanation fact sheet (pdf) explains tax on superannuation lump sums.
• Roll over to another super fund or transfer to another public sector fund
  You can roll over all or part of your benefit to another public sector or complying super fund. Before choosing this option, you might like to compare the solid returns and low fees offered by a QSuper Accumulation account with those of other funds.