Cashflow in Retirement
Getting money out of super — and making it last.
You've spent decades putting money into superannuation. Now it's time to understand how to take it out — and how to manage your income so it supports the retirement you've worked for.
This section covers three essential topics: accessing your super, understanding your other income sources, and managing your cashflow so your money lasts as long as you do.
💡 The Big Shift: From Saving to Spending
During your working life, the goal was to grow your super. In retirement, the goal shifts — your money now needs to work for you, providing a sustainable income while you're no longer earning a salary.
This requires a different mindset and different strategies. The good news? Once you understand the rules, you can make confident decisions about how and when to access your money.
Your Super is Held in Trust — Until You Meet a "Condition of Release"
Here's something many people don't realise: you don't technically own your super in the same way you own money in your bank account. Your super is held in a trust, and the law restricts when it can be released to you.
To access your super, you need to meet a condition of release — a legal gateway that allows the money to flow from the super system to you. The most common conditions are based on your age and employment status:
Once you turn 65, you can access your super regardless of whether you're still working.
If you cease an employment arrangement after turning 60, your super becomes fully accessible — even if you start a new job the next day.
If you've reached your preservation age (between 55 and 60, depending on when you were born), you may be able to access super if you've genuinely retired or through a Transition to Retirement strategy.
There are also special conditions for circumstances like severe financial hardship, terminal illness, or permanent incapacity — but the age-based conditions apply to most people.
Explore the full guide to accessing your super →
Three Things You Need to Understand
This section is organised into three key areas. You can explore them in order, or jump to whichever is most relevant to your situation right now.
Getting Money Out of Super
Conditions of release, account-based pensions, TRIS, lump sums vs income streams, minimum drawdowns, and the Transfer Balance Cap.
Explore Section 7.A →Other Income Sources
Super isn't your only income source. Understand how Age Pension, the Work Bonus, investments outside super, and part-time work fit into your plan.
Explore Section 7.B →Managing Your Cashflow
Budgeting tools, cashflow estimators, essential vs lifestyle spending, drawdown strategies, and planning for the unexpected.
Explore Section 7.C →Key Numbers to Know
When planning your retirement income, these figures will come up again and again:
The maximum amount you can transfer into a tax-free retirement pension. Above this, your money stays in accumulation (where earnings are taxed at up to 15%).
If you have an account-based pension, you must draw at least this percentage of your balance each year. The rate increases as you age.
Investment earnings on assets supporting a retirement pension are tax-free — one of the key benefits of moving from accumulation to pension phase.
These rates are for the 2026-27 financial year. Learn more about the Transfer Balance Cap →
🧭 Where Should You Start?
Not sure which section is most relevant? Here's a quick guide:
Start with Transition to Retirement Strategies (TRIS) — you may be able to access some super while still employed.
Start with Getting Money Out of Super to understand your options for pensions vs lump sums.
Head to our comprehensive Centrelink section which covers eligibility, income and assets tests, and how to maximise your entitlements.
Jump to Managing Your Cashflow for budgeting tools and strategies.
You might want to start with Super Contributions & Tax — our section on getting money into super.
You Are Here: Retirement Roadmap
Cashflow in Retirement is Section 7 of your DIY retirement planning journey.
Section 7: Cashflow in Retirement
Not Sure How to Structure Your Retirement Income?
The rules around super access, pensions, and Centrelink can be complex. If you'd like help working through your specific situation, we're here to help.
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Find a PlannerLast updated: 9 July 2026
Disclaimer
NOT PERSONAL ADVICE — these are very simple calculators and guides, but all in one place. Like projections, they can never be accurate but they are designed to educate, provoke thought and provide an overall direction – still better than what most people currently do.
The calculators on their own won't give you definitive answers. But combined with coaching and learning, they may suffice. OR find a planner if you want personal advice.
While every effort has been made to produce accurate content within this site, these are complex areas and changing constantly. If you notice errors on the site we greatly appreciate you pointing it out to us so that we can correct our content without delay. Contact Us