In general you can only access your RA at retirement. However, you can withdraw your full RA investment in cash before then if you are forced to retire early due to ill-health, if you become a non-resident, or if your RA investment is less than R7 000.
You may retire and claim your benefit from the age of 55 onwards. You can take a maximum of 1/3rd of your investment as cash; with the balance you must purchase an approved compulsory annuity, which will pay you a pension for life.
If your benefit is R247 500 or less at retirement you can elect to receive the full benefit as cash.