On 1 July 2015, previously announced changes to Commonwealth preservation age took effect.
If you were born before 1 July 1960, these changes did not impact you. However, if you were born on or after this date, there are important implications that you should consider before accessing your super.
We've prepared this guide to shed some light on the changes and what they may mean for you as a GESB member.
- What is Commonwealth preservation age and how did it change?
- What does this mean for you?
- Important information for Gold State Super members
- What are the tax implications?
- Where can I find out more?
What is Commonwealth preservation age and how did it change?
Commonwealth preservation age is set by the Australian government and determines when most people can access their super and how their benefit will be taxed.
From 1 July 2015, Commonwealth preservation age increased in stages for people born on or after 1 July 1960. This is outlined in the following table:
Date of birth | Commonwealth preservation age |
|---|---|
| Born before 1 July 1960 | 55 |
| 1 July 1960 - 30 June 1961 | 56 |
| 1 July 1961 - 30 June 1962 | 57 |
| 1 July 1962 - 30 June 1963 | 58 |
| 1 July 1963 - 30 June 1964 | 59 |
| After 30 June 1964 | 60 |
What does this mean for you?
If you are a GESB Super or West State Super member, the minimum age at which you can access your benefit once you have retired increased.
If you are a Gold State Super member, there are different rules for when you can access your super.
Important information for Gold State Super members
If you are a Gold State Super member, you can still access your benefit from age 55 in certain cases. These include when you stop working in the WA public sector, or return to the WA public sector and are working less than 10 hours a week. You may also be able to access your benefit at age 56 under transition to retirement rules.
However, your benefit will be taxed according to your age, in particular your Commonwealth preservation age, which is different to the age you can access your benefit. You are likely to pay more tax if you access your benefit earlier than your Commonwealth preservation age.
We strongly recommend you seek personal financial advice before you make a decision. For more information, see where can I find out more below.
What are the tax implications?
When you access your super, the tax treatment will depend on your age, the GESB scheme you are in, and how your benefit is paid to you.
Your benefit can be paid as a lump sum, rolled over to another complying super fund, or it can be transferred to a retirement income product (such as GESB's Retirement Income Pension, including our RI Allocated Pension and Transition to Retirement Pension).
GESB Super members
- Lump sum - if you take your benefit as a lump sum, it is taxed according to the components that make up your benefit and your age at the time of withdrawal (see the GESB Super - tax payable on lump-sum benefits table below)
- Roll over your benefit - if you roll over all or any portion of your benefit to another super fund, no tax will apply at the time of transfer
- Income stream - if you transfer your super to a retirement income product, no tax will apply at the time of transfer1
1 Please note a transfer balance cap of $1.6 million applies to transfers to retirement income products, such as our RI Allocated Pension. Find out more about the $1.6 million cap.
GESB Super - tax payable on lump-sum benefits
Effective 1 July 2026 for the 2025/26 financial year. The rates in the table are inclusive of 2% Medicare Levy.
Component | Your age | Tax withheld |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable component - taxed element2 | Under Commonwealth preservation age | 22% |
| Commonwealth preservation age - 59 |
First $245,0003 = 0% Balance = 17% | |
| 60+ | Nil |
Note: No tax is payable on the tax-free component.
2 The taxed element is super money that has been taxed while accumulating in the super fund. For more information, see our Tax and super brochure.
3 For the 2025/26 financial year, indexed annually for future years.
West State Super and Gold State Super members
- Lump sum - if you take your benefit as a lump sum, it is taxed according to the components that make up your benefit and your age at the time of withdrawal.
- Roll over - if you roll over all or any part of your benefit to a taxed fund, the 'taxable component - untaxed element' is taxed at 15% when it is received by the other fund. However, if you exceed your untaxed plan cap (i.e. $1.865 million for the 2025/26 financial year, indexed annually) then GESB will deduct 47% tax from the excess before rolling over your money.
- Retirement income product - if you transfer your super to a retirement income product, the tax treatment will be the same as if you rolled over to a taxed fund. See the Retirement Income Pension Product Information Booklet for more information on tax on retirement income streams.
West State Super and Gold State Super - tax payable on lump-sum benefits
Effective 1 July 2026 for the 2025/26 financial year. The rates in the table are inclusive of 2% Medicare Levy.
Component | Your age | Tax withheld |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable component - taxed element4 | Under Commonwealth preservation age | 22% |
| Commonwealth preservation age - 59 |
First $245,0005 = 0% Balance = 17% | |
| 60+ | Nil | |
| Taxable component - untaxed element4 | Under Commonwealth preservation age |
First $1.865 million5 = 32% Balance = 47% |
| Commonwealth preservation age - 59 |
First $245,0005 = 17% From $245,0005 up to $1.865 million5 = 32% Balance = 47% | |
| 60+ |
First $1.865 million5 = 17% Balance = 47% |
Note: No tax is payable on the tax-free component.
4 The taxed element is super money that has been taxed while accumulating in the super fund. The untaxed element is super money that would be taxed within a taxed super fund. However, as West State Super and Gold State Super are untaxed funds, it is taxed when the benefit is withdrawn or rolled over to a taxed super fund. For more information, see our Tax and super brochure.
5 For the 2017/18 financial year, indexed annually for future years.
West State Super and Gold State Super - tax payable on rollovers to a taxed fund or retirement income product
Effective 1 July 2026 for the 2025/26 financial year.
Component | Tax withheld6 |
|---|---|
| Tax-free component | No tax applies on transfer |
| Taxable component - taxed element7 | No tax applies on transfer |
| Taxable component - untaxed element7 | Amounts up to your untaxed plan cap of $1.865 million per super fund are taxed at 15% on entry to a taxed fund. Any amount exceeding the untaxed plan cap will be taxed at 47% before rolling over. |
6 The 2% Medicare Levy is not payable on rollovers as it is with lump sum benefit payments.
7 The taxed element is super money that has been taxed within the super fund whilst accumulating. The untaxed element is super money that would be taxed within a taxed super fund. However, due the super fund's untaxed status it is taxed when the benefit is withdrawn or rolled over to a taxed super fund. For more information, see our Tax and super brochure.
Where can I find out more?
For more information refer to the Product Information Booklet for your super below or call your Member Services Centre on 13 43 72.
- GESB Super Product Information Booklet
- West State Super Product Information Booklet
- Gold State Super essentials brochure
To learn more about how your super is taxed, read our Tax and super brochure.
We recommend you seek personal financial advice before accessing your super, to help you make a decision suited to your situation. For guidelines on choosing a financial adviser, see our article Choose the right advice for your retirement.
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 12 June 2026.