Does anyone have experience with the process of accessing superannuation early with the purpose of spending it on medical treatment (specifically, palbociclib)? Or do you know of anywhere we can find out details about the application process? Thank you ladies!

Dear Scientist. Yes I have with my super. Have a disability pension now and my balance can be accessed at any time. I am with a government super and they have been awesome. Good luck and please message me for more information. Kind regards Sandra xxxx

Hello. I didn't have to give any details about my treatment which has been through the public system nor sell any of my assets. My oncologist had to fill out some forms, I had to fill out forms and then my super fund made appointments to see two other medical professionals. I was deemed eligible for my disability pension and access to my super balance at anytime tax free. My super fund ESS super were fantastic and helped me no end. I am stage 4 so in the future I might access my super for medical treatment or new medicine. I am really sorry that people can't access their super when you have been diagnosed with any illness that stops you from working. I am financially ok. I had 18 months on full pay with my sick leave and when I resigned from my job I had nearly 10 months of long service leave. Not many people are that lucky. But at the end of the day I would swap it all if I had no cancer.my warmest wishes to allsandra xxxxx

@Scooper The superannuation debate has been on the forum and some are frustrated by the system. Like you say "But at the end of the day I would swap it all if I had no cancer."Wishing you wellness! Take care, sending you a virtual hug xx

We would all give it up everything to be cancer free for sure you can’t put a price on your health I know...and no one wants to hear those words. I’m a nurse for fucks sake so I know all too well about that. and had i not been diagnosed it never would of been an issue for me. But it was and I guess you could argue yes I should of double checked I had income protection but still even so I still think under the circumstances we should be entitled to some government support after working our whole lives when we need it. The apprentices get a $20k tax fee loan to support them during their apprenticeship for tools etc and they can spend it on whatever they want, you can get a HECS loan for your education which you pay back once you earn over a certain amount same for the apprenticeship loan, which I totally support but I’ve worked my arse off and no govt loans for me or even a lousy Centrelink payment for all the bloody tax I’ve paid. Even if we got a temporary dsp or Newstart payment during treatment that had to be paid back when you get back to work would of been so helpful and I Would be happy to get a 20k tax free loan and pay it back once I got back to work too. I’m sure I would not be the only one who feels this way about it. Margie xx

Hi @scientist I haven’t accessed super but have heard that you do it through Centrelink. Apparently they have the paperwork. Maybe give them a call xx Lesley

Accessing super for treatment

nonkyboy
Member
8 years ago
Hi @scientist I haven’t accessed super but have heard that you do it through Centrelink. Apparently they have the paperwork. Maybe give them a call xx Lesley
nonkyboy
Member
8 years ago
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwiEjP-V__jWAhXKy1QKHercBFMQFggfMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanservices.gov.au%2Findividuals%2Fenablers%2Fapplying-early-superannuation-release&usg=AOvVaw3viM4ga1tMepdtCpTm52sh
nonkyboy
Member
8 years ago
There you go. Have a read through that and see if you are eligible
Scooper
Member
8 years ago
Dear Scientist. Yes I have with my super. Have a disability pension now and my balance can be accessed at any time. I am with a government super and they have been awesome. Good luck and please message me for more information. Kind regards Sandra xxxx
onemargie
Member
8 years ago
Hi there you can’t access your super for medical treatment if it is available through the public health system. Not sure about the treatment you are speaking of?. If you don’t have income protection or TPD you can’t access it either unless you are terminal. There was mention though if you have non preserved funds you might be able too (that’s money you have contributed yourself)?.. and not from an employer. Not sure what scooper is talking about but I was told the rules are the same for everyone ?. As you have to apply through human services. I’m just with hesta. I’ve already been down this path and got no where if you read my previous posts. I hope you are successful though. Please let us know how you go. Margie xx
onemargie
Member
8 years ago
This is from the human services website
You must have:
a life threatening illness or injury
acute or chronic pain
acute or chronic mental illness
You must show that:
you can’t get the treatment through the public health system - this isn't required for travel to medical treatment
you can’t pay any other way, such as using savings or selling assets
onemargie
Member
8 years ago
Related services
Early release of superannuation
You may be able to get early release of super if a lender threatens to sell your home
You can only do this if:
it’s your main home
you’re legally responsible for the mortgage
you can’t pay any other way, such as using savings or selling assets
You can’t apply for early release of super for anyone else’s mortgage, even a dependant’s.
So they didn’t consider me life threatening as my breast cancer was treatable which I’m grateful for but that doesn’t pay the bills does it I thought I had income protection but didn’t and also didn’t have TPD which you can’t claim unless it’s as it says total permanent disablement
Best Of luck I hope you are successful with your claim and keep us posted Margie xx
Scooper
Member
8 years ago
Hello. I didn't have to give any details about my treatment which has been through the public system nor sell any of my assets. My oncologist had to fill out some forms, I had to fill out forms and then my super fund made appointments to see two other medical professionals. I was deemed eligible for my disability pension and access to my super balance at anytime tax free. My super fund ESS super were fantastic and helped me no end. I am stage 4 so in the future I might access my super for medical treatment or new medicine.
I am really sorry that people can't access their super when you have been diagnosed with any illness that stops you from working. I am financially ok. I had 18 months on full pay with my sick leave and when I resigned from my job I had nearly 10 months of long service leave. Not many people are that lucky.
But at the end of the day I would swap it all if I had no cancer.
my warmest wishes to all
sandra xxxxx
iserbrown
Member
8 years ago
@Scooper The superannuation debate has been on the forum and some are frustrated by the system. Like you say "But at the end of the day I would swap it all if I had no cancer."
Wishing you wellness! Take care, sending you a virtual hug xx
Anonymous
8 years ago
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