This calculator projects your estimated superannuation balance at retirement based on your current details and assumptions you enter. Results are illustrative projections — actual balances will depend on investment returns, fees, contribution amounts, and other factors.
Super Balance Projection Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
Current age and balance: Enter your age today and the combined balance across all your super accounts. Log in to myGov or your fund’s portal to get an accurate figure.
Annual gross salary: Your total annual salary before tax. Super is calculated on ordinary time earnings (OTE) — for most employees, this is similar to your base salary.
SG rate: 12% from 1 July 2025. If your employer pays above the minimum, enter the actual rate.
Voluntary contributions: Any salary sacrifice or personal contributions you make above the employer SG. For example, if you salary sacrifice $5,000/year on top of the SG, enter $5,000.
Annual investment return: Historical data for balanced super funds (which most Australians are in by default) shows returns of approximately 6–8% per year over the long run. Use 6% for a conservative estimate; 7–8% for a moderate estimate. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Retirement age: Age Pension eligibility is 67. Preservation age (when you can access super) is 60 for most Australians born after June 1964.
What the Calculator Doesn’t Include
- Salary growth: The calculator assumes your salary stays constant. In reality, most people receive salary increases over time — your super contributions also grow as your salary grows
- Fund fees: Fees reduce your net return. Deduct typical fees (0.5–1% per year for most industry funds) from the return assumption if you want a more conservative estimate
- Insurance premiums: Deducted from your super balance each month — reduce returns slightly
- Future SG rate changes: The SG is currently at 12% and is not legislated to increase further
- Division 296 tax: For high balances above $3M, an additional 15% tax on earnings may apply from 1 July 2025
How Does Your Projected Balance Compare?
| Projected Balance | Context |
|---|---|
| Under $200,000 | Will likely require significant Age Pension support in retirement |
| $200,000–$500,000 | Partial Age Pension likely; modest-comfortable lifestyle depending on spending |
| $500,000–$700,000 | Comfortable retirement achievable for a single person; partial Age Pension likely |
| Above $700,000 | Comfortable retirement for couple; possibly no Age Pension for some years |
Based on ASFA Retirement Standard (~$52,000/year single, ~$73,000/year couple for comfortable retirement). Age Pension (~$29,000/year single, ~$43,700/year couple) supplements lower balances.
For further reading: How Much Super Should I Have at My Age?, Super Drawdown Calculator. For personalised projections, speak with a licensed financial adviser through MoneySmart.