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Preservation of super

How to cash preserved benefits or restricted non-preserved benefits of superannuation.

Last updated 13 October 2025

Preserved benefits

All contributions to super made by or on behalf of a member, and all earnings since 1 July 1999, are preserved benefits.

Preserved benefits may be cashed voluntarily only if a condition of release is met. This is subject to any cashing restrictions imposed as part of the condition of release.

Restricted non-preserved benefits

Restricted non-preserved benefits are amounts that can only be accessed after ending the employment to which those benefits relate to. Generally, they stem from either:

  • employment-related contributions (other than employer contributions) made before 1 July 1999
  • rolled-over termination payments made before 1 July 2004.

Unrestricted non-preserved benefits

Unrestricted non-preserved benefits don't require a condition of release to be met. They may be paid on demand by the member. They include, for example, benefits where a member has previously satisfied a condition of release and decided to keep the money in the super fund.

 

QC46860