Two-Pot Withdrawal Eligibility: When Can I Withdraw Again? (2026)

Last verified 2026-05-14

The rules

You can withdraw from your two-pot savings pot once per tax year (1 March to 28/29 February). Minimum withdrawal is R2,000. Maximum is your full savings-pot balance.

The tax year resets on 1 March. If you withdrew on, say, 15 February 2026, you can withdraw again from 1 March 2026 onwards (subject to having enough in the savings pot).

Multiple retirement funds

If you have multiple retirement funds (e.g. an employer pension fund AND a personal retirement annuity), you can withdraw from EACH fund once per tax year. So with 3 funds, you can take 3 separate withdrawals in one tax year.

Special cases

Living abroad: you can still withdraw, but tax may differ if you're a non-resident.
Disability or terminal illness: you may qualify for a full withdrawal of both pots; consult your fund.
Death: full balance is distributed to beneficiaries; not the same process as a live withdrawal.
Job loss / unemployment: no special early-access rule. You apply through your fund as normal.
Resigning from a job: your pension fund may force a withdrawal decision (transfer vs withdraw); the two-pot rules apply to the savings-pot portion only.

How to check your savings-pot balance

Log in to your retirement fund's portal or app. The savings-pot balance is usually shown separately from the retirement-pot balance and the vested-rights pot (the pre-September 2024 balance that's still under old rules).

Frequently asked questions

Can I withdraw twice in one tax year?

Only from different funds. From any single fund, just once per tax year.

What's the R2,000 minimum?

Each withdrawal application must be at least R2,000. If your savings pot has less than R2,000, you can't withdraw at all until it grows past R2,000.

Does the tax year reset on 1 January?

No, the SA tax year is 1 March to 28/29 February. Two-pot withdrawal eligibility resets on 1 March.

What if my employer changes my fund?

The savings-pot balance and tax-year withdrawal history transfers with you. You don't get a 'reset' by changing jobs.

General guidance, not financial advice. Sourced from SARS, National Treasury two-pot FAQ Aug 2024 updates, and major SA retirement fund administrators. Last verified 2026-05-14. For your specific situation, talk to your retirement fund or an independent financial planner.