Australia has no single official retirement age. The ages you often hear — 60, 65 and 67 — relate to different rules for super and the Age Pension. When you stop work is a separate question from when you can access those sources of income.
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Retirement age in Australia
Age 60: super can generally become available if you meet a release condition, such as retiring or leaving a job after turning 60.
Age 65: you can generally access super whether you are working or not. You do not have to stop work.
Age 67: this is the current Age Pension qualifying age. Residence, income and assets rules also apply.
None of these ages is a deadline to retire. Your work, health, caring responsibilities and ability to support yourself may shape a different timeline.
So, retirement age, super access age and Age Pension age aren't necessarily the same thing.
When can I access my super?
Turning 60 alone does not give everyone unrestricted access to super. Before 65, the release conditions matter. If you continue working, limited access through a transition-to-retirement income stream may be available.
At 65, work status no longer prevents access. Being able to withdraw super does not mean you must withdraw it or retire.
Stopping work before 60 does not normally unlock super. Early release is limited to specific circumstances. Moneysmart’s getting your super guide explains the access rules.
What is the Age Pension age?
Age Pension age is currently 67 for both men and women. It is the minimum age to qualify, not an automatic entitlement to a payment. Services Australia also checks residence, income and assets.
You can keep working beyond 67. Work income can affect the payment you receive, so reaching this age does not settle every part of the eligibility question.
If you retire at 60, there may be seven years before Age Pension age. Understanding how much super you need to retire helps connect these ages with the costs you may need to cover.
What is the average retirement age?
ABS data for 2024–25 shows an average retirement age of 63.8 among people aged 45 and over who retired during that year. This is a description of recent retirements, not a legal age or a suggested target.
You may see a different average for all retired people because that includes people who stopped work many years earlier. Always check which group and time period a statistic describes.
Your own question may be less about the average and more about when you can retire with enough income for your life. My Tomorrow can help you explore what your super could become at different retirement ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I access my super at 60?
Generally, yes, if you are retired or leave a job after turning 60. Turning 60 alone does not give everyone full access. If you keep working, limited access through a transition-to-retirement income stream may be available. At 65, you can generally access your super whether you work or not.
Is retirement age 65 or 67 in Australia?
There is no universal retirement age. At 65, you can generally access super regardless of whether you work. Age Pension eligibility starts at 67, subject to the other rules. Neither age requires you to retire.
Can I retire at 55 in Australia?
Yes, but you would need savings or other income to cover your costs until you can access super. Stopping work early does not itself unlock your super. Early release is only available in limited circumstances under specific rules.
Is the retirement age different for women and men?
No. The current Age Pension qualifying age is 67 for both men and women. The general super-access ages also do not differ by gender. People’s actual retirement ages can differ, but those averages do not create separate eligibility rules.
How do I know if I have enough super to retire?
It depends on your spending, housing costs, retirement age and other income, including any Age Pension you qualify for. The My Tomorrow Retirement Calculator can help you explore what your super could become. It is a starting point, not a guarantee that your money will last or a recommendation about when to retire.
My Tomorrow is an independent retirement-awareness tool. This is general information, not personal financial advice.
Sources: Moneysmart: getting your super · Services Australia: Age Pension eligibility
Information checked 30 September 2026.