Strong long-term investment performance
Our Balanced Growth super option has been ranked in the top 10 for investment performance over 10 years to 31 October 2023.†
retire your way with HESTA
Living your ‘next chapter’ or the ‘third act’? Whatever you call retirement, we hope you’re having the time of your life.
retirement means different things for different people
It might mean taking your foot off the pedal after many years of working, travelling, spending time with your family, or simply revelling in having more time for the things you love.
No matter what your story, age or ‘retirement status’ is, HESTA is here to help you understand your options and meet your retirement goals.
To see what we offer, choose the option that best reflects your situation and learn more about what you can do to maximise your income in retirement.
choose an option that best reflects your situation
There's no set retirement age in Australia, so you can generally retire when you want to.
Your super is designed to help support you financially when you retire, so the government has set rules on when you can access it. These are called ‘preservation rules’.
Generally, you can access your super when you’ve met a condition of release:
- when you’ve permanently retired or commence a transition to retirement income stream on or after your preservation age
- after reaching age 60, when an employment arrangement ceases
- when you reach age 65
- if you become permanently incapacitated
- if you have a terminal medical condition
- under financial hardship conditions.
Your preservation age is the age at which you can generally start accessing your super.
The age varies according to your date of birth.
| Date of birth | Preservation age |
| Before 01/07/60 | 55 |
| 01/07/60 - 30/06/61 | 56 |
| 01/07/61 - 30/06/62 | 57 |
| 01/07/62 - 30/06/63 | 58 |
| 01/07/63 - 30/06/64 | 59 |
| After 30/06/64 | 60 |
Get the full details in How super works (pdf).
If you’ve reached preservation age or a condition of release, you can access a regular income from your super while your money keeps working hard for you with a retirement income stream.
It's an account-based pension, and a flexible way to access your super after you retire.
By opening a retirement income stream using your super, you can receive a regular income (tax free if you're over 60) while your balance stays invested with a top-performing fund.
Speak to a HESTA super specialist to work out how you can maximise your super before you reach preservation age. A HESTA super specialist can help you get the most out of your superannuation investments and talk through your options based on your personal circumstances.
You can book a time with them whenever you need. There’s no extra cost: it’s all part of being with HESTA.
Already retired? HESTA is here to help you understand your retirement income options and how to make the most of this new phase of life.
We can help you understand your retirement income options, including maximising your super before you set up an income stream, strategies to grow your wealth and reduce tax.
You can book a time with a HESTA super specialist whenever you need. There’s no extra cost: it’s all part of being with HESTA.
what our members think
“I’m now working with my HESTA Superannuation Adviser to start my retirement plan and set up a HESTA Income Stream. My adviser helps me by building my confidence and managing the current and future risk so I can achieve what I expect from my retirement.”
Victor, HESTA member
Already set up a retirement income account with another fund? It’s always worth checking how it stacks up against your other options. It’s like choosing who you bank with: you want to know you’re being looked after with the best product for you that's aligned with your values.
Recognised as one of the best
The HESTA Income Stream is a multi-award winning product^, with a long track record of industry-leading value. And that includes help and advice anytime from a super specialist to compare your options and make the most of your choices – with no retainers to pay.
you're with a top super fund*
HESTA has a history of delivering strong long-term investment returns. Being with a top performer like HESTA could make a big difference to how long your retirement savings last.
Profit to members
We’re an industry super fund. That means we work purely for you and profits go to members. We keep your fees and costs down.
Expert help when you need it
You can get financial help and advice at no extra cost – it’s all part of being with HESTA. Access it whenever and wherever you like: online, over the phone, through an information session or face-to-face.
our super specialists can help with your retirement options
HESTA super specialists can talk to you one-on-one or over the phone about retirement options. Choose a time to chat with us or call 1300 734 479.
* SuperRatings 10 Year Platinum Performance 2014-2024 (MySuper).
† SuperRatings Accumulation Fund Crediting Rate Survey (SR50 Balanced 60-76) October 2023. Product ratings are only one factor to be considered when making a decision. Visit SuperRatings for important information about this rating. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
^Product ratings are only one factor to be considered when making a decision.
Ratings are published by SuperRatings Pty Ltd ABN 95 100 192 283 AFSL 311880 (SuperRatings). Ratings are general advice only and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and SuperRatings assumes no obligation to update. SuperRatings uses objective criteria and receives a fee for publishing awards. Visit superratings.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2023 SuperRatings. All rights reserved.
© Zenith CW Pty Ltd ABN 20 639 121 403 (Chant West), Authorised Representative of Zenith Investment Partners Pty Ltd ABN 27 103 132 672, AFSL 226872 under AF 2021. The Chant West rating (assigned 2019 and 2021) referred to in this piece is limited to “General Advice” (s766B Corporations Act 2001). Individuals should seek their own independent financial advice and consider the appropriateness of any financial product in light of their own circumstances and needs before making any investment decision. The advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of this advice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of, and consider the PDS or offer document before making any decision. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Chant West does not make any representation or give any guarantee or assurance as to the performance or success of any financial product based on the ratings. Chant West may charge the product issuer, fund manager or related party for use of ratings. Chant West does not accept any liability whether direct or indirect, arising from use of the information. Chant West ratings and research are prepared by Chant West and are not connected in any way to research and ratings prepared by any of our related entities. Full details regarding Chant West’s research methodology, processes, ratings definitions are available at www.chantwest.com.au and Chant West’s Financial Services Guide is available at www.chantwest.com.au/financial-services-guide