The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning Aussies about the risks of withdrawing their superannuation early. There are some exceptional circumstances where you're allowed to dip into your nest egg before you hit retirement, and the tax office said some are trying to get around the rules.

You're meant to build up your superannuation over your working life to give you enough cash to survive your twilight years. ATO Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig said pulling out money early should be seen as a "last resort" after all other avenues have been exhausted.

"We have seen an increase in dodgy advice and misconceptions around when individuals can access their super early, and we want to make it clear that Australians should not be considering early access unless they are eligible and it is absolutely necessary for their circumstances," she said.

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When can you access your superannuation?

You can finally tap into your retirement nest egg when you finish work completely or reach preservation age, which is 55 to 60, depending on when you were born.

You can also access your super after 65, even if you're still working.

If you don't fulfil any of those criteria, you can access your money if you need:

• Medical treatment for you or your dependent

• Medical transport for you or your dependant

• To modify your home or vehicle to accommodate special needs arising from your or your dependant's severe disability

• Palliative care for you or your dependent's terminal illness

• Death, funeral or burial expenses for your dependant

• To prevent foreclosure or forced sale of your home

More than $1 billion in compassionate superannuation withdrawals were actioned last year alone by at least 50,000 people.

Do you have a story about superannuation? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com

Clearing up misconceptions around accessing superannuation early

The tax office said Aussies have been trying to get around these rules and have also been given incorrect information from health professionals.

A dentist advised a patient that they could dip into their super to pay for cosmetic veneers, which does not fall under compassionate grounds.

Some medical professionals have even been preparing "inaccurate" medical reports to get their patients over the line, while others have been encouraging people to access their super to pay for health and other cosmetic treatments, despite not having a financial services license.