Early Access to Super
While superannuation helps people to save for retirement, the Government has recognised that for those significantly financially affected by the coronavirus, accessing some of those savings today may outweigh the benefits of maintaining those savings until retirement.
The federal government has announced that people facing financial stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be granted early access to their super on a temporary basis. Eligible individuals will be able to apply online through the myGov website from mid-April to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21.
It's important to note that you can only apply for early access to your super through myGov, you cannot apply through your super fund directly.
Am I eligible?
To apply for early release of your super, you must satisfy one or more of the following requirements:
You are unemployed, or
You are eligible to receive a:
job seeker payment, or
youth allowance for job seekers, or
parenting payment (including the single and partnered payments), or
special benefit, or
farm household allowance,
or
On or after 1 January 2020, you:
were made redundant, or
had your working hours reduced by 20% or more, or
are a sole trader and your business was suspended or there was a reduction in your turnover of 20% or more.
How do I apply?
If you are eligible, you can apply online through myGov for early access to your super from mid-April 2020; you cannot apply through your super fund.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared and issued by Sunsuper Pty Ltd, the trustee and issuer of the Sunsuper Superannuation Fund. Sunsuper Pty Ltd ABN 88 010 720 840, AFSL No. 228975, is the Trustee and issuer of the Sunsuper Superannuation Fund ABN 98 503 137 921, USI 98 503 137 921 001. Visit sunsuper.com.au or call 13 11 84 for a copy of the PDS.