As an Australian citizen or permanent resident retiring overseas, your superannuation generally remains in Australia and stays subject to standard rules, meaning it cannot be accessed until you meet a condition of release (e.g., reaching preservation age and retiring, or age 65). The money stays invested in your fund, and you will need to update your contact details to maintain access.
If you have superannuation in Australia, even from temporary work, that account remains when you move overseas.
The full amount of age pension that a person is eligible for is payable while overseas for 26 weeks. However, once overseas for longer than 26 weeks, the amount of age pension payable to a person is dependent upon the person's length of residency in Australia.
Yes, you can withdraw your superannuation if you're no longer going to remain in Australia.
If you get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension and plan to live overseas, you can't get these payments once you leave NZ unless you meet certain criteria. You must apply to keep these payments going. To apply, call our International Services team at least 6 weeks before you leave.
The bring-forward rule enables you to accelerate your super contributions by using up to three years' worth of non-concessional (after-tax) contributions caps in a single year. This means you could contribute up to three times the annual limit in one go, or spread your contribution out over two to three years.
Your pension pot will remain invested with your provider until you decide to access it, usually from the age of 55 (rising to 57 in 2028). You can still draw income from these pensions while living abroad. Many providers will pay directly into your overseas bank account, though some may only pay into a UK bank account.
However, temporary residents are able to access their super if they're moving away from Australia and aren't planning on returning. Applying through your super fund and providing proof of you temporary visa and departure plans should be ample proof for you to be able to cash out out your superannuation payments.
A super income stream is when you withdraw your money as small regular payments over a long period of time. If you're aged 60 or over, this income is usually tax-free. If you're under 60, you may pay tax on your super income stream. See retirement income and tax.
Pension Credit
This may be extended up to eight weeks if you're away because of the death of a close relative. If you're going abroad for medical treatment, you may be able to receive Pension Credit for up to 26 weeks. You can't keep receiving Pension Credit if you move abroad permanently.
Claim for Australian Pension from an agreement country form (AUS140) Use this form to claim an Australian Pension while you are in an agreement country. You must download our forms and fill them in so they are processed quickly. You can also electronically sign some of our forms.
You must notify the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if you plan to move overseas for six months (183 days) or more in a twelve-month period. You must do this within 7 days from the date of leaving Australia. Update your contact details via myGov. If you already live overseas, you must notify the ATO.
You may be able to get Age Pension for the whole time you're outside Australia, even if you're leaving to live in another country. If you leave within 2 years of returning to Australia to live, your payment may stop if you: came back to Australia to live.
Make a partial or full withdrawal
You can withdraw some or all your super savings to your nominated bank account. The fastest way for you to make a partial withdrawal is by logging into your account online and going to Transactions. Or complete this form to make a full withdrawal.
You need to notify us, within 7 days of leaving Australia, if you intend to move or already reside overseas for 183 days or more in any 12-month period. To notify us, complete an Overseas travel notification and update your contact details, including your mobile, international residential, postal and email addresses.
Yes — a couple can retire on $700,000 in Australia, particularly if they own their home and are eligible for Age Pension support later in retirement. Retiring at 65 with this balance could mean an annual income closer to or above the ASFA 'comfortable' standard for couples.
You'll need to make your claim within six months of leaving Australia. If you're an Australian citizen leaving permanently, the same rules apply to your super, as if you were living in Australia. This means your super must stay in your super fund(s) until you are eligible to access it.
There are a variety of ways that Superannuation can be reported on a US tax return. These range from completely tax free (as the equivalent of Social Security) to fully taxable including appreciation inside the fund (as a foreign grantor trust).
Retiring at 60 with $500,000 in super is possible but challenging, depending heavily on your spending, lifestyle, and if you qualify for the Australian Age Pension. You might cover modest expenses using strategies like drawing down around $20,000 annually (using the 4% rule as a guide) plus other income, but it requires careful budgeting, potentially part-time work, and reducing living costs. A financial advisor can help tailor a plan, as $500k alone usually supports a basic to moderate retirement, not a lavish one.
Essential Guide to Departing Australia: Key Topics and Insights
If you're overseas for up to 6 weeks — Generally, your pension payments will continue as normal if you're travelling for less than 6 weeks. If you're overseas for more than 6 weeks — Once you reach 6 weeks, your pension supplement will drop to the basic rate. Your energy supplement will stop.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them.
Yes, you can receive your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments while living outside Canada, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. The CPP is a contributory plan, meaning you must have made sufficient contributions during your working years in Canada to qualify for benefits.