Using your super – making informed decisions in retirement

Lump sum withdrawals

Taking a lump sum from super can offer immediate access to substantial funds which can be used for paying down debt or making investments. For people over 60, lump sum withdrawals are generally tax free.²

It is important to remember that once you take a lump sum out, you may not be able to put it back into super if you change your mind.³ This can have consequences on the future growth of your retirement funds as earnings on investments in super are generally taxed at a lower rate than earnings on investments outside super.⁴

Income streams

An income stream, or pension, is a series of periodic payments made from a super fund to a member.⁵  Payments must be made at least annually and meet minimum payment amounts which are set as a percentage of the balance and rise as you age.

Income streams provide a regular source of income, helping with budgeting and financial planning throughout retirement.

Typically, income streams are tax-free for people aged over 60.⁶ Earnings and capital gains on the super assets underlying the income stream are also tax free on super balances up to the value of the transfer balance cap, currently set at $1.9 million.⁷

There are two main types of income streams available:

Account-based pension: a series of regular payments sourced from your super money.⁸ Account-based pensions are a flexible way to access your super savings that allow you withdraw variable amounts as desired so long as minimum payment amounts are met. This flexibility allows you to make larger withdrawals as needed but carries risk: market fluctuations can affect your super balance and there is no guarantee your savings will last through your retirement.⁹

Annuity: a fixed income for the rest of your life or a set period.¹⁰ The main providers of annuities are life insurance companies¹¹ and are available through wealth management platforms like BT Panorama. Annuities offer security of income that is typically not dependent on market performance. Lifetime annuities provider regular income until death and can include the option to continue payments after death to a nominated beneficiary.

Setting retirement goals

Making choices in retirement is a deeply personal process. Working with a financial adviser can help, but here are some things to consider as you plan:

Goals and priorities: Retirement goals vary widely among individuals – some dream of travelling the world, others focus on hobbies, helping children and grandchildren, or leaving a legacy for loved ones. Understanding your own personal aspirations is a good first step to ensuring your financial plan supports a fulfilling retirement.

Risk tolerance and time horizon: Your comfort with risk and the timeframe over which you plan to use your retirement funds are an important factor in planning how you use your super. By taking time to consider how long your funds might need to support you and how you might ride out market downturns you can make spending choices that maximise your comfort while preventing shortfall.

Health: Your planning needs to account for both rising healthcare needs in retirement and the possibility that you might live longer than average. Healthcare costs in Australia are generally well subsidised by governments,¹² but allocating funds for unexpected health expenses can keep you on track, while having a strategy for the possibility of outliving your funds can ensure continued security.

Making informed decisions

A successful retirement comes from making informed decisions about how to access and use your super savings in the way that best suits your individual needs. This comes in two parts:

Seeking professional advice: The complexities of superannuation require expertise and financial advisers play a crucial role in helping you understand the various options for accessing your super. The guidance of a trusted adviser can ensure that your choice aligns with your financial goals, tax implications, and retirement timeline, maximising the benefits of your accumulated funds.

Regular reviews: As your retirement progresses, your needs and the external economic and markets environment will inevitably change. Regularly reviewing your strategy is essential. This may involve reassessing withdrawal rates, changing how you have structured your income streams, or adjusting your investment choices based on market conditions or changes in your personal circumstances.

Combination strategies

A financial adviser can help you decide how to withdraw your money from super in a way that both meets your goals and provides you with a balance of flexibility and security.

There is no one correct approach. You may choose to withdraw a lump sum to cover immediate large expenses such as paying off a mortgage, while also setting up an income stream to ensure steady cash flow for day-to-day expenses. You may choose to combine the flexibility of an account-based pension with the security of an annuity, allocating differing amounts of your super to each.

Seeking professional advice can help you find a balance that suits your personal circumstances to get the most out of your retirement savings.