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AussieCalc

Superannuation Calculator

Project your super balance at retirement using your salary, employer SGC rate, and voluntary contributions. Includes a year-by-year balance chart.

When to use

When you want to project your super balance at retirement and see how extra contributions affect the outcome.

Who it's for

Australian employees of any age planning their superannuation growth from now until retirement.

What you'll need

Your current super balance, annual salary, employer SGC rate, age, and target retirement age.

FY2026–27 · 12% SGC rate
$

Your current superannuation balance across all funds.

$

Your gross annual salary before tax. Used to calculate your employer SGC contributions.

$

Voluntary contributions on top of employer SGC, salary sacrifice or after-tax deposits. The concessional (pre-tax) cap is $30,000/year including your employer's SGC; this calculator does not enforce the cap.

%

Projected annual investment return. Balanced funds have averaged 6–8% p.a. historically before fees.

Simplified projection for illustrative purposes. SGC rate: 12% (from FY2025–26). Assumes a constant salary, return rate, and contribution rate. Does not account for contributions tax, salary increases, or investment volatility. General guidance only. Not financial advice.

Saved scenarios

No saved scenarios yet. Adjust inputs and click “Save current” to compare later.

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How your retirement balance is built

$1,567,924 projected at age 67 — hover to see amounts

Starting balance
$50,000
Employer SGC
$307,200
Investment growth
$1,210,724

Starting balance: $50,000 | Employer SGC: $307,200 | Investment growth: $1,210,724

Super balance growth over time

How your balance compounds from now to retirement — hover to inspect

Starting balanceContributionsInvestment growth
Stacked area chart showing superannuation balance growing from current age to retirement
PeriodStarting balanceContributionsInvestment growthTotal
Age 35$50K$0$0$50K
Age 38$50K$29K$15K$94K
Age 41$50K$58K$41K$149K
Age 44$50K$86K$79K$215K
Age 47$50K$115K$131K$296K
Age 50$50K$144K$202K$396K
Age 53$50K$173K$295K$518K
Age 56$50K$202K$416K$668K
Age 59$50K$230K$571K$851K
Age 62$50K$259K$767K$1.1M
Age 65$50K$288K$1.0M$1.4M
Age 67$50K$307K$1.2M$1.6M

At 7% p.a. return, investment growth accounts for 77.2% of your projected balance, compounding accelerates as your balance grows.

Superannuation in Australia

How superannuation works

Superannuation is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Employers are required to pay a percentage of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund on your behalf, known as the Superannuation Guarantee (SGC). The money is invested and grows over your working life. You generally cannot access super until you reach your preservation age (60 for most people born after 1 July 1964) and retire. Super is taxed concessionally to encourage saving: contributions are taxed at just 15%, and earnings within the fund are taxed at a maximum of 15%, significantly below most marginal income tax rates.

Superannuation Guarantee (SGC) rates

The SGC rate has been gradually increasing from 9.5% in 2021 to reach its legislated final rate of 12% from 1 July 2025 (FY2025–26 onwards, including FY2026–27). Employers must pay SGC at least quarterly into your chosen super fund. SGC is paid on top of your salary and does not come out of your take-home pay. However, if your employment contract specifies a total remuneration package, SGC may be included within that total.

Concessional and non-concessional contributions

Concessional contributions are pre-tax: employer SGC, salary sacrifice, and personal contributions you claim a tax deduction for. These are taxed at 15% within the fund, well below the 30%, 37%, or 45% marginal rates most workers pay. The concessional cap is $30,000 per year including employer SGC. Non-concessional contributions are after-tax additions with no tax deduction on the way in, but they grow tax-effectively within the fund. The annual non-concessional cap is $120,000 for FY2026–27. Unused concessional cap amounts from the prior 5 financial years can be carried forward, provided your total super balance on 30 June of the prior year was below $500,000.

The power of compounding returns

Superannuation's true value is in decades of compound growth. Even modest contributions, started early, accumulate significantly because returns are earned on top of previous returns. A 30-year-old with $30,000 in super contributing $9,600/year at a 7% average return would project to around $1.2 million by age 60, with around 73% coming from investment growth rather than contributions. An extra 5 years of compounding (starting at 30 vs 35) can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the final balance.

Worked examples

Early career: age 25, $60,000 salary, $10,000 current balance
Employer SGC at 12% adds $7,200/year. At 7% annual return over 42 years to age 67, the projected balance is approximately $1,948,000. Starting balance: $10,000; employer contributions over 42 years: $302,400; investment growth (compound returns on balance and contributions): $1,636,000, which is roughly 84% of the final balance. At a 4% annual drawdown, this projects to approximately $77,900/year ($6,500/month) in retirement income. Starting at 25 rather than 30 with identical inputs adds approximately $591,000 to the final balance, which shows that the extra five years of compounding on an early balance has an outsized long-term effect.
Mid-career accumulator: age 40, $95,000 salary, $120,000 current balance
Employer SGC at 12% adds $11,400/year. At 7% annual return over 27 years to age 67, the projected balance is approximately $1,654,000. Starting balance: $120,000; employer SGC contributions over 27 years: $308,000; investment growth: $1,226,000, about 74% of the final balance. At a 4% annual drawdown, this projects to approximately $66,200/year ($5,500/month) in retirement income. Even without salary sacrifice, the $120,000 existing balance grows to roughly $746,000 by retirement through compound growth alone.
Salary sacrifice strategy: same 40-year-old, adding $500/month to super
Adding $6,000/year salary sacrifice ($500/month) on top of employer SGC gives $17,400/year into super. At 7% over 27 years, the projected balance rises to approximately $2,132,000, about $478,000 more than without the sacrifice. At the 30% marginal tax bracket plus 2% Medicare levy, the $6,000 sacrifice saves approximately $1,920/year in income tax, so take-home falls by only $4,080/year rather than $6,000. The $162,000 total sacrificed over 27 years generates $478,000 extra at retirement. At a 4% drawdown, retirement income rises to approximately $85,300/year, $19,100/year more than without salary sacrifice.
Late starter: age 50, $90,000 salary, $80,000 current balance
Employer SGC at 12% adds $10,800/year. At 7% annual return over 17 years to age 67, the projected balance is approximately $609,000. Starting balance: $80,000; employer contributions over 17 years: $183,600; investment growth: $345,000. At a 4% annual drawdown, this projects to approximately $24,400/year ($2,000/month), when supplemented by the Age Pension for most Australians. Adding $12,000/year in salary sacrifice (within the $30,000 concessional cap) raises the projected balance to approximately $1,005,000 and retirement income to approximately $40,200/year. For late starters, maximising concessional contributions within the annual cap is the most efficient strategy available.
Small additional contributions: age 30, $70,000 salary, $20,000 balance, $50/week extra
Employer SGC at 12% adds $8,400/year. At 7% over 37 years to age 67 with employer contributions only, the projected balance is approximately $1,686,000. Adding just $50 per week ($2,600/year) in voluntary contributions raises the projected balance to approximately $2,132,000, an additional $446,000 at retirement from $96,200 total extra contributed. Compound growth accounts for around $350,000 of that gain. At a 4% drawdown, the extra $50/week translates to roughly $17,900/year more in retirement income. Small, consistent contributions started early produce an outsized long-run result because every dollar has decades to compound.

Calculator assumptions

  • Contributions tax not deducted: Concessional contributions (employer SGC and salary sacrifice) are taxed at 15% inside the fund. This calculator does not deduct contributions tax, as the actual fund balances will be lower by approximately 15% on the concessional contribution component. For a salary of $80,000 at 12% SGC, the $1,440/year contributions tax is not reflected in projections.
  • Constant salary: The projection uses your current salary for all years to retirement. In practice, salary increases over a career would raise employer SGC contributions and produce a higher final balance. The projection is therefore conservative for most workers expecting salary growth.
  • Constant return rate: A fixed annual return is applied each year. Real investment returns fluctuate, a balanced fund averaging 7% p.a. will have years well above and below this figure. Market downturns near retirement (sequence-of-returns risk) are not modelled.
  • Fund fees not included: Administration and investment management fees are not deducted. Even a 0.5% annual fee on a $500,000 balance reduces returns by $2,500/year, and that loss compounds over time. Compare fund fees using the ATO's free YourSuper comparison tool before assuming this projection reflects your actual fund outcome.
  • 4% drawdown benchmark: The estimated annual income uses a 4% annual withdrawal rate, a widely used planning benchmark intended to sustain withdrawals for approximately 25–30 years without depleting the balance. Actual sustainable drawdown rates depend on life expectancy, investment returns in retirement, aged care costs, and whether the Age Pension supplements your income.
  • Annual contribution timing: Contributions are modelled as a single annual addition at the start of each year. In practice, SGC is paid at least quarterly. This means the projection is slightly optimistic relative to actual quarterly payments, the effect grows with the accumulation period.

Common mistakes

Assuming employer SGC comes out of your take-home pay
Employer SGC contributions (12% from 1 July 2025) are paid on top of your salary, they do not reduce your take-home pay. If your salary is $80,000, your employer pays an additional $9,600/year directly into super. The exception is a total remuneration package where super is included in the quoted figure; always check your employment contract.
Underestimating the long-term cost of fund fees
Fees are compounded deductions. A fund charging 1% p.a. versus 0.5% p.a. on a $500,000 balance costs an extra $2,500/year, and those foregone dollars also stop compounding. Over 20 years, a 0.5% annual fee difference on a growing balance can erode $100,000 or more from the final balance. Use the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool to check your fund's fees before assuming your current fund is competitive.
Waiting until your 40s to start salary sacrificing
Compound growth means dollars contributed early are worth far more at retirement. An extra $5,000/year from age 30 to 40 (10 years, $50,000 total) at 7% can outperform $5,000/year from age 40 to 67 (27 years, $135,000 total) at the same return, because the early contributions compound for decades longer. Starting salary sacrifice as early as your cash flow allows is one of the highest-return financial decisions available.
Exceeding the concessional contributions cap
The $30,000 concessional (pre-tax) cap includes your employer's SGC. If your employer pays 12% SGC on a $100,000 salary ($12,000), you can only salary sacrifice an additional $18,000 before hitting the cap. Exceeding the cap means the excess is taxed at your marginal rate rather than 15%, eliminating the tax benefit. Non-concessional (after-tax) contributions have a separate $110,000 annual cap.
Treating a projected balance as a guaranteed retirement income
Super projections assume constant returns, contributions, and fees but real life is not constant. Markets fall, salaries change, and people retire earlier or later than planned. The 4% drawdown figure is a planning benchmark, not a guaranteed income stream. Use projections as a directional guide and review your strategy regularly, especially in the decade before retirement.
Stopping contributions during career breaks
Parental leave, career changes, and periods of self-employment can create gaps in super contributions. Each year without employer SGC is a year when compounding has less to work with. On an $80,000 salary, a 2-year career break costs approximately $19,200 in employer contributions plus the compound growth those dollars would have earned over decades. Spouses can make voluntary contributions to a partner's account during a career break, and may be eligible for the government spouse contribution tax offset if the receiving partner earns below $40,000.
Switching investment options based on recent performance
Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns, and switching to a high-return option after a strong run often means buying near the peak. Super funds with high-growth options (predominantly shares) will have negative years, which is normal. Switching to a conservative option after a market fall locks in losses and misses the recovery. Choose an option based on your time horizon and risk tolerance, not recent headlines, and review it annually rather than reactively. Members with 20+ years until retirement generally tolerate growth options well.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current superannuation guarantee rate?
The Superannuation Guarantee (SGC) rate is 12% from 1 July 2025 (FY2025–26 onwards, including FY2026–27), the legislated final rate after years of gradual increases. Your employer must pay at least this rate of your ordinary time earnings into your super fund, at least quarterly. Ordinary time earnings generally include your regular salary, commissions, and allowances, but not overtime.
How do I choose a super investment option?
Most super funds offer several investment options ranging from conservative (bonds, cash) to high growth (mostly shares). Younger members with decades until retirement are generally advised to choose a higher-growth option, as they can ride out short-term volatility and benefit from higher long-term returns. As you approach retirement, a more conservative allocation reduces the risk of a market downturn cutting your balance just before you need it. If you don't choose, most funds place you in a MySuper 'default' option, typically a balanced or lifecycle fund.
How much super do I need to retire comfortably in Australia?
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) defines a 'comfortable' retirement as requiring approximately $595,000 for a single person and $690,000 for a couple (updated annually, verify at asfa.asn.au; assumes partial Age Pension is received). A comfortable lifestyle funds regular leisure activities, good health insurance, and occasional travel. The Age Pension supplements super for many Australians and is means-tested; rates are indexed every March and September and you can check Services Australia for current rates. Your required balance depends heavily on your lifestyle expectations, other income, and how long you live.
When can I access my superannuation?
You can generally access super when you reach your preservation age and retire. For those born after 30 June 1964, the preservation age is 60. You can access super regardless of work status once you turn 65. Early access is permitted in limited circumstances: severe financial hardship, compassionate grounds (medical expenses, mortgage default), terminal illness, or temporary incapacity. The First Home Super Saver Scheme also allows up to $50,000 in voluntary contributions to be withdrawn for a first home purchase.
Should I make extra contributions to super?
Extra contributions, especially salary sacrifice, can significantly accelerate your super balance while saving income tax. If you're in the 30% tax bracket, each dollar sacrificed to super is taxed at 15% instead of 30%, saving 15 cents per dollar. The concessional contribution cap is $30,000 per year, including your employer's 12% SGC. Unused cap amounts from the past 5 years can be carried forward and used in a single year, provided your total super balance on 30 June of the prior year was below $500,000. After-tax (non-concessional) contributions are capped at $120,000/year or up to $360,000 over 3 years under the bring-forward rule.
What fees should I watch out for in super?
Super fund fees compound over time, directly reducing your long-term balance: even a 0.5% difference in fees can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Common fees include an administration fee (flat dollar amount per year), an investment management fee (a percentage of your balance, typically 0.1%–1.5% p.a.), and performance fees on some options. Industry super funds (not-for-profit) typically charge lower fees than retail funds. Use the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool to compare fees and returns across all MySuper products.
How does compound growth work in super?
Compound growth means your investment returns earn returns of their own. In year one, a $50,000 balance growing at 7% earns $3,500, reaching $53,500. In year two, the same 7% applies to $53,500, earning $3,745 ($245 more than year one), purely from the previous year's return being reinvested. After 30 years with no contributions at all, that $50,000 grows to approximately $381,000 through compounding alone. The effect accelerates as your balance grows: when you have $500,000, a 7% return adds $35,000 in a single year. This is why starting early matters so much, as the dollars you contribute in your 20s have decades more to compound than the dollars you contribute in your 50s.
How much difference does a 1% higher annual return make?
Over a long accumulation period, the difference is substantial. For a 35-year-old with $50,000 in super on an $80,000 salary, the difference between a 6% and 7% average annual return over 32 years to age 67 is approximately $320,000. This is why comparing super fund investment options and fees matters: a fund that achieves 1% better net returns (or charges 1% less in fees) has a comparable impact. Use the Expected annual return input in this calculator to model how sensitive your own projection is to the return assumption. A difference of just 0.5% in net returns, sustained over decades, can shift a projected balance by $150,000 or more.
Should I consolidate my super funds?
Yes, for most people. Multiple super accounts mean multiple sets of fees and insurance premiums, often charged without any awareness. Each inactive account may carry an administration fee of $50–$150/year plus insurance premiums if you have not opted out. The ATO estimates Australians hold millions of unintended multiple accounts. Consolidating is straightforward: log into myGov, link your ATO account, and use the Super section to find and combine accounts. Before closing any account, check whether it holds insurance cover you want to keep. Closing an account cancels its insurance immediately. There is no tax consequence from consolidating super funds.
How is compounding applied inside a super fund?
Most Australian super funds use a unit pricing model rather than applying interest on a set schedule. Your account balance is the number of units you hold multiplied by the daily unit price, which reflects the fund's underlying investments (shares, bonds, property, infrastructure). As the portfolio grows, the unit price rises and your balance grows with it, this is the compounding mechanism in super. There is no separate interest credit; returns are embedded in the unit price each business day. This also means balances can fall as well as rise during market downturns, which is different from a savings account where the rate is always positive. SGC contributions credited to your account buy units at the current price, and the total unit value then compounds with the portfolio from that point forward.
What can I do if my employer is not paying my super?
Start by checking your super fund's member portal or statement to confirm whether your employer's SGC contributions are arriving. SGC is due at least quarterly, within 28 days of the end of each quarter (28 October, 28 January, 28 April, and 28 July). If contributions are missing or late, you can speak to your employer directly and request written confirmation of payment; report unpaid super to the ATO using the online form via myGov (this is free and confidential); or contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if unpaid super forms part of a broader wage dispute. The ATO has broad powers to pursue employers for unpaid SGC, including applying the SGC charge (which adds 10% interest) and penalties. Employees cannot waive their right to SGC, even if an employment agreement states otherwise, the employer is still legally obligated to pay.

How this calculator works

Enter your current super balance, annual salary, expected return rate, and retirement age. Each year, the calculator adds your employer's SGC contributions (12% from FY2025–26 onwards, applied to your salary) and any voluntary contributions you specify, then applies the investment return to the combined balance. The result compounds over your working life until your nominated retirement age.

Because super is a tax-advantaged environment, contributions enter the fund after the 15% concessional tax is applied (for employer and salary sacrifice contributions). The calculator accounts for this. Investment earnings inside the fund are also taxed at a maximum of 15%, significantly below most marginal income tax rates, which is why super is such an effective long-term wealth vehicle for most Australians.

The return rate is the most sensitive input. Run the calculator at 5%, 7%, and 9% to see the range. A 2% difference in annual return compounded over 30 years on a $100,000 starting balance produces dramatically different outcomes. For a balanced super fund (roughly 70% growth assets), the long-run historical return has been approximately 7–8% per year before fees. Check your fund's historical returns in your annual statement as a starting point.

Sources

Last updated: June 2026

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