Super for Weight‑Loss Treatment (Compassionate Grounds)
If you have a serious health condition linked to obesity, you may qualify for early super release to fund Super for Weight-Loss treatments—like copyright, Wegovy, or bariatric surgery—when these aren’t publicly funded (releasemysuper.com.au, accessed via citation).
You need two medical reports (GP + specialist), evidence that the treatment isn’t publicly available, and a cost estimate.
Apply through ATO’s compassionate release system—MyGov or paper—with approval typically in ~14 business days, then provide the approval to your super fund for payment.
There’s no statutory limit; the payout matches the documented cost and available balance. If under age 60, withdrawals are taxed (~17–22%); over 60, usually tax‑free.
Financial Hardship Super Withdrawal
Available if you’ve received eligible Centrelink payments continuously for 26 weeks and cannot meet reasonable living expenses (e.g. rent, utilities, food).
Eligible for up to $10,000 per 12 months, with a minimum withdrawal of $1,000 (or balance if lower). If you're past preservation age, have 39 weeks of support, and work under 10 hours/week, you may access your entire super balance.
Apply directly to your super fund with a Q‑letter from Centrelink and proof of hardship. Typical processing takes a few weeks.
Taxed at about 17–22% if under 60; generally tax-free if over 60. Financial Hardship Super Withdrawal count as income and can affect Centrelink entitlements or other means-tested benefits.
Income Protection Insurance Claims
Income Protection Insurance Claims (often called salary continuance) pays up to ~75% of your pre-disability income, sometimes plus a super contribution benefit of ~10%, for a set period (commonly 2 or 5 years) depending on your policy. It is not treated as early super access—it’s an insurance benefit (moneysmart.gov.au, [turn0search0]).
Waiting periods typically range from 30 to 90 days. Payouts are monthly, taxable, and contingent on insurer approval—ongoing medical evidence may be required ([turn0search1]).
Note: IP insurance through super isn't tax-deductible, unlike policies held outside, and involves more limitations (e.g. benefit duration, cancellation if account inactive or low balance) ([turn0search9], [turn0reddit17]).
Release My Super can support you in understanding eligibility, gathering medical evidence, and lodging the claim with your fund’s insurer.
Death Benefit Claims
After a member’s Death Benefit Claims, their super balance and any insurance is paid to nominated beneficiaries, often as a lump sum or pension depending on fund rules.
Tax outcomes vary:
Tax-free if paid to dependent's,
Withholding tax (~15–17%) may apply if paid to non-dependent beneficiaries.
Significant delays have been noted: ASIC reports some claims took months to years, prompting planned reforms and enforceable service standards.
Release My Super helps family members gather necessary documents (e.g. copyright, proof of beneficiaries), liaise with trustees, and handle disputes.
Mental Health Rehab Treatments (Compassionate Grounds)
Designed for acute or chronic mental illnesses, such as admissions to rehab centers, private psychiatric therapy, or structured recovery programs.
Eligibility requires documentation from both a psychiatrist and GP, verifying severity, inadequacy of the public system, and treatment cost.
Release My Super arranges same-day appointments, lodges your application via ATO, and coordinates payout from your super fund—typically within 8–14 business days. They cite a 100% approval rate.
Mental Health Treatment (Non-Rehab)
For conditions requiring ongoing outpatient therapy (e.g. psychologist or psychiatry sessions) not accessible publicly.
Requires the same level of medical documentation and cost justification as for rehab.
Follows the same ATO → super fund process; payouts are based on justified treatment cost and taxable as a lump sum similar to rehab access.