Tax office exposes scams that mislead super members
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Suppose you’ve spent any time online lately. In that case, you may have encountered some alarming headlines or social media posts claiming that the age for accessing your superannuation will jump to 70.
For many Australians—especially those approaching retirement—these rumours can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and confusion.
But before you start worrying about your retirement plans, let’s set the record straight: These claims are completely false.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a strong warning to all Australians about a wave of dodgy websites and social media posts spreading misinformation about superannuation rules.
According to the ATO, the age at which you can access your superannuation—known as the 'preservation age'—is currently set at 60 for most people, and there are no plans to increase it to 70.
Deputy Commissioner of the ATO Emma Rosenzweig labelled the claims 'classic fake news' and urged everyone to be vigilant about where they get their information.
‘Always consider the source of information you see, and if in doubt, go to trusted sources such as the ATO website, your super fund website, your registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser,’ she said.
These dodgy websites and social media posts don’t just spread false information—they often have a more sinister motive.
Some are designed to trick you into handing over sensitive personal information, such as your Tax File Number (TFN), identity details, or myGov login credentials.
Once scammers have this information, they can commit identity theft or even access your superannuation savings.
The ATO warns: ‘Beware of websites that might be trying to harvest your personal information. Think twice before acting on information heard from third-party sources, including non-official websites or on social media.’
Scammers know that superannuation is a hot topic, especially for older Australians.
By spreading fear and confusion, they hope to lure people into clicking on links, entering personal details, or even paying for 'expert advice' that is anything but expert.
In some cases, these sites may offer 'free' tax or superannuation advice, but unless the person or company is a registered tax agent or a practising lawyer, you could be putting yourself at risk.
To protect yourself, always rely on official sources such as the ATO website, your super fund, or a registered tax agent for accurate information.
Avoid sharing your TFN, myGov login, or other sensitive details on untrusted websites.
Be cautious of unsolicited offers—if someone unexpectedly contacts you with free tax or super advice, verify their credentials with the Tax Practitioners Board.
If you encounter a suspicious email, message, or website, report it promptly to the ATO or Scamwatch.
For most Australians, the preservation age—the age at which you can access your super if you’re retired—is 60.
This has not changed, and there are no government plans to increase it to 70.
The only exceptions are for people born before 1 July 1964, whose preservation age is slightly lower (between 55 and 59, depending on their birth year).
It’s important not to confuse the superannuation preservation age with the Age Pension age.
The Age Pension age is 67 for those born after 1 January 1957. This is separate from your superannuation access age.
If you’re ever in doubt about your superannuation or tax affairs, speak to your super fund, a registered tax agent, or a licensed financial adviser.
They can provide you with accurate, up-to-date information and help you avoid falling victim to scams.
In other news, Services Australia has warned Australians not to be misled by online misinformation about Age Pension eligibility.
No changes have been made to eligibility rules or document verification for pensioners. You can read more about it here.
Have you come across any dodgy websites or social media posts making wild claims about superannuation? Have you ever been targeted by a scam? Share your experiences in the comments below to help keep our community safe and informed.
For many Australians—especially those approaching retirement—these rumours can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and confusion.
But before you start worrying about your retirement plans, let’s set the record straight: These claims are completely false.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a strong warning to all Australians about a wave of dodgy websites and social media posts spreading misinformation about superannuation rules.
The ATO has warned Australians about false claims on websites saying the super age will rise to 70—it remains at 60. Credit: Facebook
According to the ATO, the age at which you can access your superannuation—known as the 'preservation age'—is currently set at 60 for most people, and there are no plans to increase it to 70.
Deputy Commissioner of the ATO Emma Rosenzweig labelled the claims 'classic fake news' and urged everyone to be vigilant about where they get their information.
‘Always consider the source of information you see, and if in doubt, go to trusted sources such as the ATO website, your super fund website, your registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser,’ she said.
These dodgy websites and social media posts don’t just spread false information—they often have a more sinister motive.
Some are designed to trick you into handing over sensitive personal information, such as your Tax File Number (TFN), identity details, or myGov login credentials.
Once scammers have this information, they can commit identity theft or even access your superannuation savings.
The ATO warns: ‘Beware of websites that might be trying to harvest your personal information. Think twice before acting on information heard from third-party sources, including non-official websites or on social media.’
Scammers know that superannuation is a hot topic, especially for older Australians.
By spreading fear and confusion, they hope to lure people into clicking on links, entering personal details, or even paying for 'expert advice' that is anything but expert.
To protect yourself, always rely on official sources such as the ATO website, your super fund, or a registered tax agent for accurate information.
Avoid sharing your TFN, myGov login, or other sensitive details on untrusted websites.
Be cautious of unsolicited offers—if someone unexpectedly contacts you with free tax or super advice, verify their credentials with the Tax Practitioners Board.
If you encounter a suspicious email, message, or website, report it promptly to the ATO or Scamwatch.
For most Australians, the preservation age—the age at which you can access your super if you’re retired—is 60.
The only exceptions are for people born before 1 July 1964, whose preservation age is slightly lower (between 55 and 59, depending on their birth year).
It’s important not to confuse the superannuation preservation age with the Age Pension age.
The Age Pension age is 67 for those born after 1 January 1957. This is separate from your superannuation access age.
If you’re ever in doubt about your superannuation or tax affairs, speak to your super fund, a registered tax agent, or a licensed financial adviser.
They can provide you with accurate, up-to-date information and help you avoid falling victim to scams.
In other news, Services Australia has warned Australians not to be misled by online misinformation about Age Pension eligibility.
No changes have been made to eligibility rules or document verification for pensioners. You can read more about it here.
