Recontribution Strategy Age Limits (Under 60, Over 65, Over 75)

Age rules are one of the first things people search when they hear about a recontribution strategy.

And that makes sense.

A recontribution strategy only works if you can do two things.

You must be able to withdraw money from super.
You must also be able to contribute money back into super.

This guide explains the age based rules at a high level, including what changes after age 75.

If you want the full overview of how the strategy works, start here:
Superannuation Recontribution Strategy Explained

If you want to test the strategy using your own numbers, you can also use my
Recontribution Strategy Calculator

---

Key Takeaways

• A recontribution strategy requires both access to super and eligibility to contribute
• Many people use the strategy between ages 60 and 74
• From age 65, access to super benefits is generally unrestricted
• After age 75, personal contributions are usually restricted and timing matters
• Downsizer contributions can sometimes be used when non concessional contributions are not available, but they have their own eligibility rules

---

Quick Answer Table

---

What This Article Covers

This article focuses on age and eligibility only.

It does not try to calculate whether the strategy is worthwhile for you.

That depends on your balance, who you expect to leave super to, and whether you are likely to spend most of your super in retirement.

If you want the worked numbers, see:
Recontribution Strategy Example (How the Numbers Work)

---

Quick Refresher: What Counts as a Recontribution?

A recontribution strategy usually looks like this:

1. Withdraw a lump sum from super
2. Contribute that money back into super as a non concessional contribution
3. Increase the tax free component of the account

This is the reason age matters.

Super access rules and contribution acceptance rules both apply.

---

Under 60

For most people, a recontribution strategy is difficult under 60.

That is because most people cannot access their preserved super benefits until they meet a condition of release.

There are exceptions, such as permanent incapacity or terminal medical condition, but these situations are not the typical recontribution strategy use case.

If you are under 60 and considering this strategy, it is worth getting advice early. The tax outcomes can be very different.

---

Age 60 to 64

This is often the first age band where the strategy becomes realistic.

Common ways people access super from 60 include:

• retiring after reaching preservation age
• ceasing a gainful employment arrangement on or after age 60

Once you have met a condition of release and you can withdraw a lump sum, the next question is whether you are eligible to contribute.

Contribution caps still apply, and your total super balance can restrict your ability to make non concessional contributions.

---

Age 65 to 74

From age 65, access to super benefits is generally unrestricted.

This age band is common for recontribution strategies because many people can:

• withdraw lump sums when needed
• make non concessional contributions, subject to caps and total super balance rules

If your total super balance is too high, you may not be able to contribute using non concessional contributions in that year.

In that situation, downsizer contributions may be relevant in some cases.

---

What Changes After Age 75

Age 75 is where the contribution acceptance rules get much tighter.

If you turn 75, your super fund generally must receive your contribution no later than:

28 days after the end of the month you turn 75

After that window, super funds generally cannot accept personal non concessional contributions. Downsizer contributions may still be accepted if you meet the eligibility rules.

There is also an important timing detail.

To use the bring forward rule, a member must be under age 75 on 1 July of the relevant financial year.

If you turn 75 in June, you are only eligible to use bring forward up to 30 June of that same financial year.

This is one of the reasons planning and timing matters with recontribution strategies.

---

Downsizer Contributions and Age Limits

Downsizer contributions can sometimes be used as part of a recontribution strategy when non concessional contributions are not available.

Downsizer contributions can be made from age 55 if you meet the eligibility rules.

They are separate to the non concessional contribution cap, but they come with their own conditions and timing requirements.

At a high level, the ATO rules include things like:

• the home being owned for at least 10 years by you or your spouse
• contributing within the required timeframe after settlement
• giving your fund the required downsizer form before or at the time you contribute

If you are considering this, check the ATO rules before acting:

If you prefer short videos, I also recorded a quick playlist on downsizer contributions:

---

Contribution Caps Still Apply at Every Age

Even if you can withdraw a lump sum, the recontribution step is limited by contribution rules.

Non concessional contributions are currently capped at:

• 120,000 per year
• up to 240,000 using bring forward
• up to 360,000 using bring forward

Eligibility for bring forward depends on your total super balance at the prior 30 June and your age on 1 July.

If your total super balance is 2 million or more, you generally cannot make non concessional contributions in that financial year.

Caps can be indexed over time, so the dollar limits may change in future years.

For the ATO explanation of concessional and non concessional contributions, see:

---

One More Practical Point: Pension Phase

If you withdraw from an account based pension and recontribute, the recontributed amount usually returns to accumulation phase.

Some people address this by starting a new pension with the recontributed amount, or by commuting and restarting a pension so the components are reset.

If you want the deeper explanation, see the pillar:
Superannuation Recontribution Strategy Explained

---

FAQs

What is the age limit for a recontribution strategy?

Most people use a recontribution strategy between ages 60 and 74 because they can often access their super and also make non concessional contributions. After age 75 the rules are tighter and contributions are usually limited, except for downsizer contributions in some cases.

Can you do a recontribution strategy after age 65?

Yes. From age 65 you generally have unrestricted access to super benefits, and people aged 65 to 74 can usually make non concessional contributions if their total super balance allows it.

Can you do a recontribution strategy after age 75?

In many cases you cannot make personal non concessional contributions after age 75. If you turn 75, your super fund generally must receive your contribution no later than 28 days after the end of the month you turn 75. Downsizer contributions may still be available if you meet the eligibility rules.

Do you need to be retired to do a recontribution strategy?

You need to be able to withdraw a lump sum from super and you need to be eligible to contribute. Many people can access super by retiring after preservation age, by ceasing a job on or after age 60, or by turning 65.