Turning 60 can open up new possibilities for your superannuation and retirement, but knowing what to do next isn’t always straightforward. Can you access your super at 60 while working? Should you take a lump sum, start a pension or simply leave it invested?

In this episode of In the Hammock, host David ‘Kochie’ Koch and Brighter Super expert Bec Harvey explain preservation age, conditions of release and the options that may become available, including a transition to retirement income stream and an account-based pension.
Discover how a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension works, what may be tax free after 60 and what to consider when choosing between a lump sum or retirement income stream - including your lifestyle, investments, Centrelink, the Age Pension and how long your retirement savings may need to last.

Watch to learn:
00:00 – Why is turning 60 such a milestone for your superannuation?
01:10 – Why turning 60 matters: Preservation age and accessing your super
02:00 – ‘Conditions of release’ and key ages: The rules at ages 60, 65 and 67 (Age Pension)
04:20 – Transition to retirement: Using a TTR pension while working
05:26 – TTR drawdowns: Minimum and maximum annual payment limits
07:15 – Retirement income: How an account-based pension works
08:05 – Tax considerations: Investment earnings in accumulation and retirement
09:40 – Pension or bank account?: Moving money outside supe
10:28 – Lump sum withdrawals: Funding expenses while protecting future income.
11:06 – The bigger picture: Tax, Centrelink, longevity and estate planning
12:11 – Preparing for retirement: Budgeting and investing for the future
13:40 – Common mistakes: Getting help with important decisions
15:07 – Brighter Super support: Education, health checks and advice

Useful links:
Transition to Retirement Account | Brighter Super

Superannuation Pension Account | Brighter Super

Retirement Reward | Brighter Super

Retirement Guide 2026 

Presenters:
David Koch, Retirement Advocate
Bec Harvey, Senior Manager - Corporate Relationships, Brighter Super

Disclaimers:
To learn about the rules for accessing your superannuation, visit the ATO website: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/super-withdrawal-options?. 
Figures quoted are current for 2026/27 financial year. Minimum and maximum pension limits apply. General information only - other conditions and eligibility requirements may apply. Drawdown amounts each year are based on balance at 1 July.
From 1 July 2026, Division 296 tax may apply an additional 15% to earnings attributable to a total super balance above $3 million (and a further 10% above $10 million). It applies across both accumulation and pension accounts. Learn more at ato.gov.au – Division 296 tax.
Learn more about account-based pension minimum payments at https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/self-managed-super-funds-smsf/paying-smsf-benefits/income-stream-pension-rules-and-payments#ato-Minimumpensionstandards
A fee from $500 applies for each additional Brighter Super advice service such as advice on consolidating super accounts or including a non-Brighter Super member.
Examples provided are for illustrative purposes only.
Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund. The information contained is up to date at the time of publishing and may change. This podcast may contain general advice, which has been prepared without taking into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the advice to your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on the advice. Brighter Super representatives and partners are authorised to provide advice on Brighter Super products and superannuation in general. See our Financial Services Guide (FSG) for more information.
You should also obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision to acquire any product or contribute additional amounts to your Brighter Super account. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs and TMDs at https://brightersuper.com.au/pds.

Your super balance may be one number, but behind it is a mix of investments working together to help grow and manage your savings over the long term.

In this episode of In the Hammock, host David ‘Kochie’ Koch is joined by Brighter Super Chief Investment Officer Damien Webb to make sense of how super investing works, from shares, property and infrastructure to diversification, investment options and managing risk.

Whether you’re building your super or approaching retirement, discover what to know about how your super is invested, making sense of your investment options and keeping a long-term perspective when markets move.

WATCH TO LEARN:
00:00 Where is my super invested? What sits behind your super balance.
01:50 Growth vs defensive assets: Understanding risk, volatility and return.
02:02 Cash, fixed interest and shares: How different investments work.
03:51 International shares: How currency movements can affect returns.
04:13 Property and infrastructure: How super can invest in real assets.
05:47 Diversification: How spreading investments can help manage risk.
07:15 Super investment options: Understanding conservative, balanced, growth and other options.
09:36 Risk and time horizon: Why the right investment mix can change over time.
10:06 Investing near retirement: Why becoming too conservative too early can have an impact.
11:15 Market volatility: The risks of reacting to short-term market falls.
12:38 Reviewing your super: How often to check your investments and risk profile.
14:17 Managing your super: The investment professionals working behind your portfolio.
15:00 Common investment mistakes: Being in the wrong option or reacting to market events.
15:35 What next? Get curious, understand what you’re invested in and know your risk profile.

If you found this video helpful, click the thumbs up and subscribe for future episodes.

USEFUL LINKS
Let’s learn: Superannuation investments 

Brighter Super’s investment options

Investment risk profiler

How we invest

Retirement Guide 2026

PRESENTERS
David Koch – Retirement Advocate
Damien Webb – Chief Investment Officer, Brighter Super

DISCLAIMERS
* The S&P ASX All Ordinaries is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates (“SPDJI”) and ASX Operations Pty Limited and has been licensed for use by Brighter Super Trustee. S&P®, S&P 500®, US 500, The 500, iBoxx®, iTraxx® and CDX® are trademarks of S&P Global, Inc. or its affiliates (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); ASX Operations Pty Limited Trademarks are trademarks of the ASX Operations Pty Limited and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Brighter Super Trustee. Brighter Super Trustee investment options are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, or ASX Operations Pty Limited and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P ASX All Ordinaries.
** United States stock market total return data based upon Robert Shiller’s analysis https://shillerdata.com

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund. The information contained is up to date at the time of publishing and may change. This podcast may contain general advice, which has been prepared without taking into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.

Consider the appropriateness of the advice to your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on the advice. Brighter Super representatives and partners are authorised to provide advice on Brighter Super products and superannuation in general. See our Financial Services Guide (FSG) for more information.

You should also obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision to acquire any product or contribute additional amounts to your Brighter Super account. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs and TMDs at https://brightersuper.com.au/pds.

How much super do you really need to retire comfortably? It's one of the biggest questions Australians ask when planning for retirement. Is it $1 million, or could you retire comfortably with less? And how do you know if you're on track?

In this episode of In the Hammock, David ‘Kochie’ Koch and Peter Hoban from Brighter Super break down how much super you may need in retirement. From lifestyle and spending goals to the Age Pension and retirement income strategies, they share practical retirement planning insights, common mistakes to avoid and simple ways to check if you're on track.

Whether you're approaching retirement or planning ahead, this episode will help you better understand how much super you may need and how to prepare for retirement with confidence.

WATCH TO LEARN:

00:00 How much super do you need to retire in Australia?

01:37 ASFA Retirement Standard: Weekly and Monthly budgets

04:47 ASFA Retirement Standard: Modest vs Comfortable retirement

05:37 How much money you may need to retire – Singles vs Couples

07:20 Turning super into retirement income (i.e. account-based pension)

09:17 Retiring with $300K, $500K or $1 million and the impact from the Age Pension

09:55 Growing your superannuation with salary sacrifice and extra contributions

12:50 Retirement income calculator and ‘What age can I retire?’ calculator

13:39 Common retirement mistakes and the importance of Super Health Checks 

14:34 When can you access your super?

15:00 Managing investment risk and making your super last in retirement

15:53 Retirement planning tips and key takeaways 

If you found this helpful, give it a rating and share it with someone who's thinking about retirement and make sure to follow or subscribe to watch or listen to future episodes.

USEFUL LINKS

Retirement income calculator

What age can I retire? Calculator

Super Health Check

ASFA Retirement Standard

Retirement Guide

PRESENTERS 

David Koch – Retirement Advocate 
Peter Hoban – Member Account Manager, Brighter Super

DISCLAIMERS

ASFA Retirement Standard, Weekly and Monthly Budgets for those aged 65-84. Updated March 2026. https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/March2026-RS-Tables.pdf  

ASFA Retirement Standard, Superannuation Balances required at age 67 for a modest and comfortable retirement. Updated February 2026. 260223-ASFA-Retirement_Standard-Summary.pdf 

See ASFA Retirement Standard for assumptions and methodology at https://www.superannuation.asn.au/consumers/retirement-standard/ 

You need to meet a condition of release before you can withdraw your super after age 60.

Member example shared is for illustrative purposes only and does not factor in fees or investment returns.

Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund. The information contained is up to date at the time of publishing and may change. This podcast may contain general advice, which has been prepared without taking into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the advice to your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on the advice. Brighter Super representatives and partners are authorised to provide advice on Brighter Super products and superannuation in general. See our Financial Services Guide (FSG) for more information.

You should also obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision to acquire any product or contribute additional amounts to your Brighter Super account. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs and TMDs at https://brightersuper.com.au/pds.