It’s one of the most common questions Australians ask as they approach retirement:
“Can I still work after accessing my super?”The answer is yes in most cases, you can.But how it works depends on how you access your super, your age, and your retirement status. Let’s break it down simply so you can make smart choices about working, earning, and enjoying your retirement income at the same time.
Can I Still Work After Accessing My Super?
Yes, you can still work after accessing your super but there are a few important rules to understand.In Australia, the superannuation system is designed to help you fund retirement, but it also recognises that retirement doesn’t always happen all at once.
You can stop working, access your super, and later return to part-time or full-time work without breaking any laws or penalties.
However, how you access your super either as a lump sum or a pension income stream can affect your options.
Scenario 1: Accessing Super After Retirement
If you’ve reached your preservation age (usually 60) and retired, you can legally access your super.But what happens if you decide to go back to work later?You can still work again.There’s no rule stopping you from returning to work after you’ve accessed your super.
However, your super fund might ask you to sign a “declaration of retirement” when you first access your super.
This simply means you intended to retire at the time not that you’re banned from working again later.
Example:
David retires at 60, withdraws part of his super, and takes a break for a few months. At 61, he’s offered consulting work. He can take the job without issue and his super remains accessible.
Scenario 2: Transition to Retirement (TTR) – Working While Accessing Super
If you haven’t fully retired but want to reduce your work hours, a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension can help bridge the gap.
This strategy lets you:
- Access up to 10% of your super balance per year as income
- Keep contributing to your super via employer contributions or salary sacrifice
- Enjoy tax-effective income while staying in the workforce
Example:
Lisa, age 61, moves from full-time to part-time work. She starts a TTR pension that pays her $20,000 per year, helping maintain her income level without fully retiring.
It’s one of the most flexible and popular strategies for Australians easing into retirement.
Scenario 3: Working After 65 No Restrictions
Once you turn 65, your super becomes fully accessible whether you’re working or not.
You can:
✅ Keep working full-time or part-time
✅ Withdraw lump sums whenever you like
✅ Start or continue an account-based pension
There’s no need to declare retirement after 65 your super is automatically “unlocked.”
Example:
Peter turns 65 but continues working as a consultant three days a week. He draws a small income from his super to fund travel and lifestyle expenses.
The One Rule to Remember: No “Double-Dipping”
While you can access super and keep working, the key is to stay within contribution and withdrawal rules.
If you withdraw your super, then re-contribute large sums while still working, you’ll need to stay within:
- Concessional contribution caps: $30,000 (2025)
- Non-concessional contribution caps: $120,000 (2025)
Exceeding these can trigger extra tax, so it’s worth planning with an adviser if you want to recycle funds back into super for tax purposes.
Tax Considerations When Working and Accessing Super
Here’s the good news: if you’re over 60, any super withdrawals are tax-free (for taxed funds).However, regular income from work remains subject to normal income tax rates.This means your work earnings and super income could push you into a higher tax bracket if not structured well.
Tip: A financial adviser can help you combine salary sacrifice + TTR income to reduce tax and boost super contributions while maintaining take-home pay.
FAQs:
1️⃣ Can I access my super and still work full-time?
Yes. Through a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension, you can access part of your super while continuing to work.
2️⃣ What if I retire, access my super, then start working again?
That’s fine there are no penalties. As long as you genuinely retired at the time, you can return to work later.
3️⃣ Can I keep contributing to super after accessing it?
Yes. Employer contributions and salary-sacrifice payments can continue while you draw from your super.
4️⃣ Do I pay tax on my super if I’m working?
Withdrawals from super are tax-free after 60 (for taxed funds), but income from employment is still taxed normally.
5️⃣ Can I open a new super account if I start a new job after retiring?
Yes, you can. Your new employer will create or contribute to your existing super fund. You can keep multiple accounts or roll them into one.
Working After Accessing Super Is Easier Than You Think
So, can you still work after accessing your super?
Absolutely.Whether you’re easing into retirement or picking up part-time work later, the system is designed to give you flexibility, choice, and control.
The key is to structure your income wisely balancing super withdrawals, contributions, and tax so your retirement money lasts as long as you do.
At Wealthlab, we help Australians design retirement plans that fit their lifestyle whether that means full retirement, part-time work, or something in between.
👉 Book your free consultation today and find out how to make your super work while you do.