Super Short Answers

Yes! We’re pleased to confirm that as of 1 December 2025, Super SA offers indexed investment options to members with funds in Triple S, Super SA Select and Income Stream.

We’ve been listening to your feedback, and we know that many of you are interested in simple, cost-effective ways to invest your super. These new options are designed to meet that need, offering market exposure with minimal fees.

We’ve introduced two index options: Indexed High Growth and Indexed Balanced. You can compare options on our Investment options and performance page. 

And if you have any questions, please get in touch with our Member Services team.

Super is designed to support you in retirement, so the law restricts early access. This means that money you contribute to your Triple S super either as salary sacrifice or after-tax contributions can’t be accessed early to buy a house. However, there is one key exception for first-home buyers and that’s qualifying for the First Home Super Saver (FHSS) Scheme. (Just note however, this isn’t offered with Triple S, but it is available through Super SA Select and our Flexible Rollover Product). 

If you’re saving for your first home and want to learn more, visit our First Home Super Saver Scheme page.

We agree that making smart moves in super matters, but there’s no one ‘smart move’ for everyone. The smartest option really is the one that suits your situation and goals.

For Triple S members, salary sacrifice can be a great way to boost your super. Why? Because the amount you salary sacrifice is taxed at just 15% when you withdraw it later, instead of your usual income tax rate. For context, income tax rates range from 19% up to 45%, depending on your taxable income. That difference can really add up over time.

Triple S also offers a unique advantage: there’s no annual cap on salary sacrifice contributions – only a lifetime cap of $1.85 million¹. So, if you can afford it, you can contribute more than most other funds allow.

Other options might also suit you. For example, you might prefer after-tax contributions (especially if you’re eligible for the Government Co-contribution scheme which can give your super balance an extra boost). And if you’re 55 or older and selling your home, the Downsizer Contribution lets you put up to $300,000 from the sale into your super without it counting towards your usual caps.

For full details, visit our Grow your super page or for personalised advice, consider speaking with a financial planner.

It’s never too late to pause and review your retirement plans. Even with two years to go, there may be steps you can take today to improve your financial wellbeing.

When you’re close to retirement, it’s important to look beyond super alone. Other factors to consider include your savings outside of super, any outstanding debts, other assets or investments, your expected living expenses, and whether you’ll have access to the Age Pension or other income streams.

Our Member Services team can help you explore strategies like salary sacrificing or making after-tax contributions to your super. You could also try our Super projection calculator to see how making extra payments into super could boost your balance.

To determine whether these options are right for you, we recommend speaking with a financial planner. They can also help you plan for things like tax implications and cash flow in retirement.

Even small changes now could help you feel more confident about the years ahead.

Market ups and downs are a normal – and expected – part of investing. While it can feel unsettling when markets fall, super is designed for the long term. Acting quickly and switching your investment option during a downturn can lock in, or ‘crystallise’, those losses, making it harder to recover when markets rebound. Consider your long-term goals and remember that super is more like a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes, doing nothing is the best course of action. Why? Because staying the course gives your savings time to grow and benefit from future market recoveries.

If you’re unsure what’s right for you, we recommend speaking with a financial planner who can give you personalised advice on your investment strategy.

For more on this topic, visit our Navigating market volatility page.

You’ve got options. How you choose to access your super depends on a few things – like your age, whether you’re still working or retired, how much income you’ll need, and whether you prefer regular payments or lump sums.

For example, if you’ve left your job in the SA public sector, you can get a cash benefit from your Triple S super from age 55 (or 50 if you’re a Triple S Police member). But keep in mind, accessing your super before age 60 can attract extra tax, which may reduce your retirement savings.

Here’s a quick look at some other options once you retire:

• Start a Super SA Retirement Income Stream: You can enjoy regular payments while keeping your super invested. You’ll need at least $30,000 in your Triple S account to get started. You can also withdraw lump sums as needed.
• Roll over to a taxed fund: Move your balance to Flexible Rollover Product or Super SA Select to access lump sum withdrawals as needed. Tax is payable when you rollover from Triple S, but from age 60 withdrawals are free of any further tax.
• Withdraw directly from Triple S: From age 65, you can make one partial cash withdrawal each financial year, which will generally be deemed as assessable income for tax purposes. Just keep in mind that 15% tax (plus 2% Medicare levy) will be applied to any untaxed component that you withdraw.

For more details, visit our How to retire with Super SA page, refer to the Triple S Reference Guide or contact us.

Great question! A spouse does not need to wait until they retire or turn 60 to access their partner’s death benefit. (A death benefit is the total of your Triple S super plus any death insurance that may be payable).

Once the claim for a death benefit has been approved, the money can be paid to the surviving spouse as a lump sum into their bank account. They may even have the option to start an Income Stream with the proceeds.

However, it’s important to note that if you have a valid legal personal representative (LPR) nomination in place with Super SA prior to your death, then your Triple S death benefit will not be paid directly to your spouse. Instead, it will be paid to your Estate through the person(s) you nominated as your legal personal representative(s). The money will then be distributed according to your Will.

To check if you have a LPR nomination in place, log in to the Super SA member portal, check your latest annual statement or contact us.

Yes, it can. When you reach Age Pension age (currently 67), Centrelink assesses your super as part of the assets test. They use this information to work out your eligibility and payment amount. They assess the full balance so if you have funds in Triple S – which is an untaxed fund – they are assessing your super before tax is deducted.

This means your super might appear higher than what you’ll actually have, because tax hasn’t been taken out yet. That may affect how much Age Pension you’re eligible for.

You can’t request for tax to be applied early, but it will automatically happen when you withdraw or transfer your Triple S super – for example, to an Income Stream account or a taxed fund like our Flexible Rollover Product.

Please contact us if you have any general questions or speak with a financial planner if you need advice on tax implications, accessing Centrelink benefits or how to structure your super.

Life can be full of big moments and it’s nice to splurge from time to time! But when it comes to accessing your super early, it’s reserved for serious things like medical treatment, disability support, financial hardship or to prevent foreclosure of your home mortgage.

That said, if you’re saving for your first home and have contributed super in a taxed fund like Super SA Select or the Flexible Rollover Product, you might be able to tap into it through the First Home Super Saver Scheme.

Once you’ve retired or met a condition of release, like turning 65, your super’s all yours to enjoy for any occasion. If you haven’t retired and 65 is too long to wait, you could consider a Transition to Retirement strategy from age 60 – this will give you access to some of your super while you’re still working.

There is no universally ‘right’ time to consolidate super accounts but doing so might make things easier and more cost-effective for you.

Consolidating accounts could save you money by reducing multiple admin fees, which can really add up over the years. It can also simplify your life – less paperwork, fewer logins, and a clearer view of your total super balance. With fewer accounts, it’s generally easier to manage your investment strategy too.

A good time to think about consolidating is when you’re already reviewing your finances – like at tax time or during a financial check-in with a planner. That said, it might be better to hold off if you rely on insurance through a fund you’re thinking of closing, especially if you’re planning to make a claim or the fund you’re moving to requires you to complete a health assessment when applying for insurance.

And if your accounts have different investment strategies, some people prefer to wait during market volatility. In those cases, chatting with a financial planner could help you decide what’s best for your situation.

Learn more about how to consolidate your accounts on our Consolidate your super page.

It’s one of the most common questions we get – and for good reason. Most people want to feel confident they can maintain their lifestyle once they stop working.

The answer really depends on a range of factors, including when you want to retire, how long you expect to be retired, your current lifestyle, and what you’ve got planned for the future.

A general guide from ASIC’s MoneySmart website suggests that if you own your home, you might need around two-thirds (67%) of your pre-retirement income annually to maintain your lifestyle. So, on a $100,000 annual income you might need around $67,000 annually. To generate this level of income, inclusive of the Age Pension, as a homeowner you might need up to $600,000 in assets.  But it’s just a rule of thumb – it might not suit your personal situation or aspirations. You can read more about it here:

If you’re nearing retirement, speaking with a financial planner is a smart move. They can help you work out a figure to aim for and create a plan to get there.

You can also explore tools like our Hitting the Target calculator to map out your retirement lifestyle and savings goals. Or check out ASFA’s Retirement Standard for a helpful benchmark.

The short answer is no, but you still have options.

Your Triple S super offers seven investment options, from high growth choices (with more exposure to Australian and international shares) through to more conservative ones like Capital Defensive (which leans more heavily to fixed interest). These options are professionally managed by our investment partner, Funds SA, who invest across a wide range of asset classes, including shares, on your behalf.

While you can’t buy specific shares inside your super, you’re still getting exposure to the share market through the diversified options. And you can mix and match them to suit your goals and comfort with risk. For example, combining a growth option with a more defensive one.

If you’re keen to invest in specific shares, you’d need to do that outside of your Super SA account. But rest assured, your super is already working hard for you behind the scenes.

You might enjoy the article: What’s your strategy? Let’s talk diversification

Probably, provided their super fund allows it. Just ask your partner for their fund’s BPAY details, and you’re good to go.

For those new to the idea, a spouse contribution means putting money into your partner’s super using your own after-tax income. It’s an easy way to help grow their retirement savings, and you might even be eligible for a tax offset of up to $540 a year.

There’s also another option called contribution splitting. This works differently and involves setting up a Triple S spouse account for your partner.  

Keep in mind, there are rules around who qualifies as a ‘spouse’ for super purposes. To learn more, including other ways to grow super together, visit our Growing super for two page.

That's a really good question, and it's one that many Australians grapple with. In fact, it’s probably best answered by a licensed financial planner who can take into account your personal circumstances, financial goals, and overall situation.

That’s said, we can talk through some general considerations that often come into play.

Choosing between contributing to super or paying down your home loan often depends on a mix of factors like your age, income level, mortgage interest rate, and retirement timeline.

Some people find the idea of being mortgage-free appealing for the peace of mind it brings, while others are drawn to the long-term growth and tax advantages that superannuation can offer.

It's not always a clear-cut decision, and what works well for one person might not be ideal for another. If you're exploring this choice, it might be helpful to reflect on your priorities – whether you're more focused on short-term financial security or long-term retirement planning.

And again, speaking with a licensed financial planner could help you weigh the pros and cons based on your unique situation.

Super SA’s investments are guided by a strong commitment to doing the right thing, both ethically and environmentally. The team at Funds SA, which manages these investments, follows a detailed Responsible Investment Policy that ensures every decision considers environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. They use expert tools and data to spot potential issues and risks, which are continuously monitored across all investments.

Certain industries and practices are completely excluded, like tobacco, thermal coal, controversial weapons, and investments linked to Russia. Climate change is a key focus, with a dedicated Climate Risk Response Plan in place. Funds SA have also taken a clear stance against modern slavery.

Importantly, Funds SA doesn’t just invest, they actively influence companies through voting, engagement, and legal action to protect long-term value for members. For those who want an even stricter ethical approach, the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) option applies tougher standards, only choosing companies that meet high ESG ratings.

For more details, explore Funds SA’s Responsible Investment Policy, Climate Risk Response Plan and Modern Slavery Position Statement.

That’s great to hear – planning for retirement is one of the best things you can do for your future self! Just like any big life goal, having a plan makes all the difference. And starting now means you’ll be better prepared to make the most of this exciting next chapter.

Many people at this stage choose to speak with a financial planner, which can be really helpful for getting advice on retirement as well as a range of topics, like paying off debt, investing, insurance and more.

But it’s also important to start building your own understanding of how super in retirement works and what retirement could look like for you.

We’ve got plenty of tools and resources to help, including seminars and webinars designed specifically for people starting this journey. You can also try our retirement calculators to get a clearer picture of your financial future.

A great read to get inspired as recommended by our Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Member Education, Brad Polling, is How to Have an Epic Retirement by Bec Wilson. It encourages you to think about what kind of life you want in retirement and steps to achieve it.

Returning to work on reduced hours after an illness or injury is a great milestone. It’s often tough being off work for a long time, so getting back into a routine can be really positive.

Super SA’s Income Protection helps cover part of your income while you’re recovering. If you’re back at work but haven’t resumed your normal working hours due to the injury or illness to which your claim relates, your payments will continue until you resume your normal working hours or reach the maximum benefit period. However, they’ll be adjusted based on what you’re now earning. If your part-time income ends up being more than your notional salary, those payments will stop.

Everyone’s situation is different, so it’s best to contact your assigned Super SA claims management officer to see how changes in your circumstances might affect your payments.

For more detailed info, read our handy Triple S Income Protection Insurance fact sheet. Or take our quick Quiz on Understanding Income Protection.

Setting up an income stream with your super is a flexible way to start receiving regular payments as you transition to retirement or once you’ve retired.

To set up an income stream, you’ll need to open a new Income Stream account and transfer at least $30,000 from your existing super into it. When the account is ready, you’ll start getting regular payments directly into your bank account, while the rest of your super balance continues to stay invested.

We’ve created a handy 3-step guide and checklist to help you through the process.

Your super is designed to support you in retirement, but there are key moments when you can start accessing it.

Here are the most common ways people become eligible (they’re officially referred to as ‘conditions of release’):

• You turn 65 – whether you’re still working or not.
• You reach age 60 and retire
• You reach age 60 and start a transition to retirement income stream – this lets you ease into retirement while still working.
• You qualify for early access – in cases like severe financial hardship, compassionate grounds, or total and permanent disability.

While most people won’t dip into their super until retirement (or close to it), life doesn’t always go to plan. For instance, if you're facing tough financial times or you’ve stopped working in the public sector after age 55, you might be able to access some of your super earlier.

Just note, accessing your super before age 60 could mean paying extra tax on what you withdraw. That can take a chunk out of your future savings, so it’s worth thinking carefully and getting advice if you’re unsure.

And remember, you don’t have to take all your super out at once. Many people choose to keep some of their super invested and draw it down gradually through a retirement income stream. This can help your savings last longer and continue to grow even after you stop working.

For more details, see section 4: ‘Accessing your super’, in the Triple S Reference Guide or contact us.

The very short answer is yes. Many Australians combine their super savings together with the Age Pension to give them a regular income during their retirement. 

The Age Pension provides regular fortnightly payments from Centrelink to help support your retirement. When applying, just keep in mind that your super balance and income will be considered in Centrelink’s income and assets test. This could affect how much Age Pension you’re eligible for.

So, while having super won’t automatically disqualify you, the amount you receive might be adjusted depending on your overall financial situation.

When the time comes to consider your options for accessing your super and making the most of government benefits, consider seeking professional financial advice.  

For more information on the Age Pension, visit the Services Australia website.

Great question! Triple S works a little differently from most super funds.

From 1 July 2025 you get a lifetime untaxed plan cap of $1,865,000 million. That includes all concessional contributions – like your employer contributions, salary sacrifice, and any investment earnings taxed at concessional rates. It’s a pretty generous limit!

Compare that to most other super funds, which have an annual concessional contributions cap of $30,000.

Something to watch out for
If you're contributing to both Triple S and another (taxed) super fund, your concessional (before tax) contributions to Triple S also count towards your annual cap in the taxed fund.

Let’s say your employer and salary sacrifice contributions into Triple S total $20,000 in a financial year, and you also have $15,000 going into another taxed fund. That’s a total of $35,000 in concessional contributions – which exceeds the current cap of $30,000 with the other fund. As a result, the $5,000 over the cap will be taxed at a higher rate.

While a small amount over the cap might not result in a significant tax impact, going significantly over could reduce the benefit of salary sacrificing. That’s why it’s worth keeping track of your total contributions across all funds.

To learn more, visit our Salary Sacrifice page.

It’s easy to do this and so much more, online.

When you log in to the member portal your balance will appear at the top of your homepage, and you can even print an Account Summary.

To check which options you’re invested in, click on ‘My investments’ and then ‘Investment summary’. If you’re invested in more than one option, you can see how much super is allocated to each option.

Please ask us if you have more questions about what you can do online, or visit our Member Portal FAQs page for details on how to access the portal.

Finding the right financial planner is a personal decision – it’s about what works best for you and your financial goals.

Many people start by asking friends or family. They may have a trusted planner they’ve worked with and would recommend.

Whoever you choose, make sure they’re qualified, licensed, and transparent about their services and fees. Look for someone who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and is registered with the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA).

You can also search for licensed planners near you on the FAAA website.