Your investment update - November 2026
We recap this quarter’s performance and market news, and reflect on how 25 years of Responsible Investment continues to shape the way we invest.
Work
Finishing work sooner than you planned can feel daunting. If it's happened to you, you're not alone, and you may have more options than you think.
Almost 3 in 4 HESTA members who retire between 45 and 70 say it wasn't fully their choice. For about half, poor health is the most common reason. About 1 in 5 say burnout played a part, and around 1 in 6 stepped back to care for a loved one.1
It can feel like a lot at once. Almost half of members say they weren't as financially prepared as they thought. Around 1 in 3 say the change affected their day-to-day life, especially early on.1 Many people also miss the routine, purpose and community that work gave them. Everyone's experience is different. There's no right way to feel.
"I didn't choose to retire. It chose me. I was terrified. But once I sat down with a HESTA Retirement Adviser... it wasn't as bad as I'd feared."
- Cheryl, 22 years in aged care
talk to an adviser
Finishing work earlier than planned is far more common than people realise. It can still feel overwhelming. We help members in this situation regularly.
Our retirement help service can talk you through your options and help you plan your next step. You don't need to have it all figured out before you get in touch.
Speaking with the team is included as part of your membership. If you need extra help, such as personal retirement advice or support with a Centrelink application, we'll tell you about any fees upfront.
Give yourself time
It's okay to grieve the plans you had. Talk to friends and family about how you're feeling.
HESTA members can also get mental health support through our Insurer, AIA Australia – even if you don’t have insurance through your HESTA account. AIA has teamed up with HealthBright to create My Psychologist.^ This portal gives you faster access to mental health treatment no matter where you live, with no gap fee payable.
Find out when you can access your super
When you can access your super depends on your age and circumstances.
Generally you need to wait until retirement, but you may be able to access some or all of it sooner in limited situations.
Learn more about accessing your super >
Check if you have insurance cover
If you're eligible and haven't opted out, you may have insurance through your super. Automatic cover includes Income Protection and Death Cover. Income Protection pays a monthly benefit if you can't work because of illness or injury. Death Cover pays a lump sum to help look after your loved ones if something happens to you. If you're diagnosed with a terminal illness, you may be able to claim it early.
Your cover stays in place while you're a HESTA member. It will stop if you cancel it, your account becomes inactive, or your account doesn’t have enough money to pay the insurance fees. Your account is considered inactive if we don't receive any contributions or roll-ins for a continuous 16 months.
If you’d like to keep your cover while you’re not making contributions, let us know. Just log in to your online account, go to Preferences, and choose "Please keep my insurance cover if I become inactive".
Look into Centrelink
You may be eligible for support even if you've never applied before. Support options include JobSeeker Payment, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment. If you rent, you may also get Rent Assistance on top of your payment.
Visit Services Australia to find out more about your options. You can also make a time to talk to our advice team about your entitlements.
From age 67, you may be eligible for the Age Pension. Centrelink doesn't backdate Age Pension payments, so apply as soon as you can. Our partner, Retirement Essentials, can help you apply.
Check your Age Pension eligibility with Retirement Essentials >
Find support outside super
If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your mortgage or credit card repayments, act early. The sooner you deal with debt, the more options you'll have. Financial counsellors offer free, confidential advice through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Ask Izzy* is a free directory that helps you find local support services, from financial help to mental health counselling.
1. Evolved Thinking, Involuntary Retirement Quant Report, prepared for HESTA, October 2024 (survey of HESTA members aged 45 to preservation age).
Any information regarding the Age Pension is general information only and should not be considered personal advice.
^My Psychologist is a partnership between AIA Australia Ltd and HealthBright Operations Pty Ltd.
*Ask Izzy is owned and operated by Infoxchange ABN 74 457 506 140.
Third-party services are provided by parties other than H.E.S.T. Australia Ltd and under the terms and conditions of those parties. H.E.S.T. Australia Ltd does not recommend, endorse or accept any responsibility for the products and services offered by third parties or any liability for loss or damage incurred as a result of services provided by third parties. You should exercise your own judgment about the products and services being offered.
Any cost for third party services will be paid by you directly and cannot be deducted from your HESTA account. HESTA does not receive commissions for the services.
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