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Transition to Retirement Planner

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Plan a gradual transition to retirement by accessing your super while still working part-time.

Free to useNo data storedReal-time dataAI insightsUpdated: February 2026

A Transition to Retirement (TTR) strategy lets you access your super as an income stream while continuing to work — either at reduced hours or full-time with a salary sacrifice strategy. If you've reached your preservation age (between 55-60 depending on your date of birth), a TTR pension can help you ease into retirement, supplement reduced income, or even boost your super through tax-effective strategies.

Enter Your Details

Enter Your Details

Must be at preservation age or older (55-60 depending on DOB)

When you plan to stop working entirely

$

Your current annual salary

How many days per week you plan to work during transition

$

Your total superannuation balance

$

Combined target income from salary + super pension

Real-World Examples

Gradual Wind Down

Helen is 60, earns $110,000 full-time, and has $500,000 in super. She wants to drop to 3 days ($66,000) and maintain $90,000 total income.

Helen draws $24,000/year from her TTR pension (4.8% of balance). Her combined income is $90,000. At age 65, her TTR converts to a full pension with tax-free earnings.

Tax-Effective TTR Strategy

Peter is 58 and earns $130,000. Instead of reducing hours, he salary sacrifices $25,000 into super and draws $25,000 from a TTR pension.

Peter's taxable income drops to $105,000, saving ~$8,500 in tax. The $25,000 salary sacrifice is taxed at 15% ($3,750) vs 37% ($9,250) if received as salary. Net annual benefit: ~$5,000+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary

TTR Pension
A Transition to Retirement pension stream from your super that you can access once you reach preservation age, even while still working.
Condition of Release
A trigger event that allows unrestricted access to your super, such as reaching age 65, retiring after preservation age, or permanent incapacity.
Drawdown Limits
TTR pensions have minimum (4%) and maximum (10%) drawdown requirements based on your balance at 1 July each year.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and should not be relied upon for financial decisions. Interest rates, fees, and policies change frequently. Always verify information with lenders directly. This is general information, not personal financial advice. Consider seeking advice from a licensed mortgage broker or financial advisor.

Last updated: February 2026

How to Use
  1. Enter your current age (must be at or past preservation age).
  2. Set your target full retirement age.
  3. Input your current salary and desired number of working days.
  4. Enter your super balance.
  5. Set your total desired annual income (salary + super pension combined).
  6. Review the recommended TTR strategy and tax implications.
Key Information
  • You must have reached your preservation age to start a TTR pension (55-60 depending on DOB).
  • TTR pensions have minimum (4%) and maximum (10%) annual drawdown limits.
  • Earnings on TTR pension assets are taxed at 15% (not tax-free like a normal retirement pension).
  • Once you fully retire or turn 65, the TTR converts to an account-based pension with tax-free earnings.
Pro Tips
  • The classic TTR strategy: salary sacrifice your full-time salary into super while drawing a TTR pension to maintain income. This can reduce overall tax.
  • TTR works best for higher income earners where the tax arbitrage between marginal rate and 15% super tax is significant.
  • Reassess your TTR strategy annually — tax rules and your personal circumstances can change.
  • Factor in the Centrelink impact: TTR pension income counts towards the Age Pension income test once you're eligible.
Avoid These Mistakes
  • Withdrawing too much (up to 10% max limit) and depleting your super too quickly before full retirement.
  • Not realising TTR pension earnings are still taxed at 15% — they're NOT tax-free until full retirement.
  • Starting a TTR pension before checking preservation age — born after 1 July 1964 means preservation age is 60.
  • Forgetting that reducing work hours also reduces employer SG contributions into your super.
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