Could you retire early?

For many of us, early retirement isn’t just about sleeping in or pottering about, it’s about showing up for the things that matter. By getting out of the rat-race a bit early, you could look at weekday volunteering when the community needs hands, mentoring the next wave of changemakers, joining local climate projects, slow travel with purpose, or finally giving your side-hustle some oxygen. More time, more choice, more impact.  

So what does it take to retire early? And how much super are we talking here? Let’s jump in and have a look.  

The budget: Dollars and sense 

Early retirement means stretching your money over more years. To make that possible, you’ll likely need: 

• More super. Your savings need to go the distance, so it stands to reason that you’d need to target a higher super balance than if you retired later. There are lots of ways to give it a nice little nudge. 

• Control over debt. Heading into retirement debt-free gives you freedom. Clearing it can redirect cash to the life you want (instead of to interest). 

• Clarity on spending. Some costs (like commuting, kids, home loan) may drop; others (travel, healthcare, hobbies, donations) may rise. Map it out so you’re choosing, not guessing. 

• Contingency planning. Life throws curveballs. Build in a buffer for health surprises, family support, or big repairs. A little ‘just in case’ fund buys a lot of calm.  

When can I access my super? 

You can step back from work whenever your finances allow… but to crack open your super, you’re legally bound by set rules (often called ‘conditions of release’). Here’s how your age affects access your super.  

• Age 60: You can usually access super if you’ve retired, or if you cease an employment arrangement on or after turning 60. 

• Age 65: Crack it open time! You can access super freely, whether you’re working or not. 

• Age 67: Currently, 67 year-olds who meet the income and assets tests may be eligible for the Age Pension. This is when the government’s portion of your retirement income kicks in.  

So, if you want to stop work before 60, you’ll generally need savings outside your superannuation to bridge the gap until you can access your super. 

Gradual semi-retirement 

Slamming on the brakes on your working life doesn’t suit everyone. For many, work brings meaning and activity to life – not to mention the pay packet. But you can build your own bridge between earning a salary and reaching your super, easing in gradually and making early retirement more doable. Here’s how your future self can build that bridge.  

• Dial down your hours to test-drive the lifestyle while keeping income flowing. 

• Use leave strategically. Blocks of annual or long service leave create mini-retirement moments – and you’ll keep receiving employer super payments while employed. 

• Transition to Retirement (TTR). Once you reach preservation age (60 for most), a TTR income stream can top up part-time wages. There are drawdown limits, so treat it like a dimmer switch, not an on/off lever. Chat to one of our coaches if you’re entering these waters – they love this stuff.  

Semi-retirement can stretch your savings, soften the financial shift, and help you design your new rhythm. 

The lifestyle equation 

Money funds it; meaning fuels it. Ask yourself: 

• What will give you purpose when work no longer sets the schedule? 

• How will you stay connected with community, friends, family, causes? 

• What keeps you active beyond that wild first-year bucket list? 

• Could you consult, mentor, volunteer, or spin hobbies into small income streams that feel good and ease the draw on savings? 

Designing your days is the real flex of early retirement. Make it count for you and your world. 

Early retirement is possible 

It does take preparation. Early retirement works best when you’re clear on how you want to live, not just when you’ll stop working. 

The key ingredients are: 

• Financial readiness. Bigger savings, manageable (or no) debt, more super, a spending outline you believe in. 

• Timing strategy. Knowing when you can access super and how you’ll bridge any early years. 

• Lifestyle planning. Purpose, people, and practices that keep you energised. 

Whether you leap or ease into it, you’re already ahead by thinking about this now. When it comes to super, you’ll always thank yourself for planning ahead.  

FAQs: Early retirement

What’s the earliest I can access super for early retirement? 

Typically from age 60, if you’ve retired or ended an employment arrangement on or after that age. From 65, access is unrestricted. Stopping work earlier is possible, but you’ll generally need non-super savings until you reach access age. 

Can a Transition to Retirement (TTR) help me finish early? 

Yes. From age 60, a TTR income stream can supplement part-time work as you wind down. It has limits and shouldn’t be treated like a full pension before you meet a full condition of release. 

If I retire at 58, can I use my super? 

Generally not, unless you qualify for special early-access provisions. You’ll need savings outside super until you reach your preservation age.  

Do I have to be debt-free to retire early? 

Not necessarily, but clearing high-interest debts can dramatically increase your freedom and lower stress. Many people target debt-free (or debt-light) before stepping back.  

How do I sanity-check my numbers? 

Build a simple budget for your desired lifestyle, pressure-test it (add a buffer for health/house costs), then sense-check against your projected super drawdowns and other income sources. 

All information is general in nature and does not take account of your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider speaking with a Future Super Coach or a financial adviser. Information is current as of December 2025.