Super Calculators Australia — Free Superannuation Calculators
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed financial adviser. Learn more.
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Use these free calculators to plan and understand your superannuation. All calculators are general information tools — results are projections based on the assumptions you enter and should not be treated as financial advice.
Super Calculators Available
Super Calculator — Project Your Balance at Retirement
Enter your current age, super balance, salary, SG rate, voluntary contributions, and assumed return to see your projected balance at retirement. The calculator shows a year-by-year milestone table. Best for: anyone who wants to know where their super is heading.
How Much Super Should I Have at My Age?
Compare your current balance against APRA average balances and ASFA on-track targets for your age group. Includes a full reference table from age 20 to 69. Best for: a quick sense-check of whether your super is broadly on track.
Super Retirement Income Calculator
Estimate how much annual income your super balance could generate in retirement, how long it might last, and how it compares to ASFA retirement standards. Includes an optional Age Pension input. Best for: retirement planning in the 10–15 years before you stop working.
Salary Sacrifice Super Calculator
Calculate exactly how much income tax you save by salary sacrificing into super, and the net cost to your take-home pay. Uses current FY2025–26 tax brackets. Best for: deciding whether to set up or increase salary sacrifice.
Super Contribution Calculator
See how additional voluntary contributions — beyond your employer’s SG — change your projected balance at retirement. Compares SG-only versus SG plus voluntary contributions side by side. Best for: quantifying the impact of contributing $X extra per year.
Which Calculator Should I Use?
| Your question | Use this calculator |
|---|---|
| “Where will my super balance be at 67?” | Super Calculator |
| “Am I on track for my age?” | Super by Age |
| “How much income will my super generate?” | Retirement Income Calculator |
| “How much does salary sacrifice actually save me?” | Salary Sacrifice Calculator |
| “What difference will $X extra per year make?” | Contribution Calculator |
Key Assumptions to Understand
All these calculators use simplified projection models. Before using them, understand what they do and don’t account for:
What they include:
- Your current balance growing at a constant investment return
- Annual contributions (employer SG and voluntary) added each year
- 15% contributions tax on concessional (pre-tax) contributions
What they don’t include:
- Fees: Administration and investment fees reduce your net return. For a rough adjustment, subtract 0.5–1% from your assumed return to approximate a typical industry fund’s fee drag
- Insurance premiums: Deducted from your fund balance, modestly reducing returns
- Salary growth: Most calculators assume a fixed salary. Growing income means growing SG — your actual balance will likely be higher than shown
- Inflation: Returns and income figures are in today’s dollars. Real purchasing power in 20–30 years will be lower
- Variable returns: A constant 7% return assumption is smoother than reality — actual returns fluctuate year to year
For a more conservative projection, reduce the assumed return by 1–1.5%.
What Is a “Good” Super Return Assumption?
The return rate you enter materially affects results. Here are typical historical reference points for Australian super funds (net of investment fees, before admin fees, tax included):
| Investment option | Historical 10-year return (approx.) | Appropriate for |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 4–5% p.a. | 5 years or less to retirement |
| Balanced (default) | 6–7% p.a. | 10–20 years to retirement |
| Growth | 7–8.5% p.a. | 20+ years to retirement |
| High Growth | 8–10% p.a. | 30+ years to retirement |
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. APRA publishes annual fund-level performance data at apra.gov.au.
For most working-age Australians projecting 20+ years out, a 7% assumption is commonly used. For conservative planning or those near retirement, 6% is more appropriate.
ASFA Retirement Income Standards (2025)
These benchmarks appear throughout the calculators as reference points for what income level supports what lifestyle:
| Retirement standard | Single | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable | ~$52,000/year | ~$73,000/year |
| Modest | ~$33,000/year | ~$48,000/year |
The comfortable standard covers private health insurance, a car, annual travel, and regular dining out. The modest standard covers basics with limited discretionary spending. Most retirees with moderate super balances fall between these two once the Age Pension is included.
Age Pension benchmarks (FY2025–26):
- Full Age Pension single: ~$29,000/year
- Full Age Pension couple combined: ~$43,700/year
- Eligibility age: 67 (subject to income and assets tests)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these calculators accurate? They are illustrative projections based on constant return assumptions. Real-world outcomes vary due to market volatility, fee structures, salary growth, and individual circumstances. Use them as a planning starting point, not a precise forecast.
Should I use after-fee returns in the calculator? Yes — for the most realistic projection, use your fund’s net return after investment fees (available in your fund’s annual statement or PDS). Admin fees are separate and not captured in the calculators.
Which super calculator does ASIC recommend? ASIC’s MoneySmart website has an official retirement planner calculator that includes fee modelling and inflation adjustments. The Peakifi calculators provide quick, easy-to-use projections without requiring you to create an account.
Can I use these calculators for SMSF planning? Yes — the projections work for any super account type. However, SMSF members should factor in accounting, audit, and administrative costs (typically $3,000–$6,000+/year) that significantly affect net returns. See SMSF Costs.
For personalised superannuation projections and advice on your retirement strategy, speak with a licensed financial adviser through MoneySmart. Related: How Much Super to Retire, Boosting Super Before Retirement, Super Fund Performance.