Superannuation Balance Calculator Australia — Retirement Projection 2026
Real-World Examples — 2026
Age 35, $85,000 salary, $85,000 current super
Starting with $85,000 in super at age 35, earning $95,000/year with 12% SG contributions ($11,400/year) and 7% annual investment return. By retirement at 67 (32 years), the projected super balance is approximately $1.28 million. Total contributions: approximately $486,000 (employer SG); investment growth: approximately $709,000.
Age 45, $150,000 salary, salary sacrifice $15,000/year
A 45-year-old with $250,000 in super, earning $150,000/year. SG at 12% = $18,000/year. Additional salary sacrifice of $15,000/year (total concessional $33,000 — slightly above $30,000 cap; model uses $30,000 cap). Projected balance at 67: approximately $1.6 million. The salary sacrifice on top of SG reduces taxable income and accelerates super growth significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Superannuation Guarantee rate in Australia for FY2026?
The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate increased to 12% from 1 July 2025 (FY2026). It was 11.5% in FY2025 and 11% in FY2024. The rate will remain at 12% indefinitely under current legislation. Employers must pay this amount on top of (or as part of, depending on contract) your wages into your nominated super fund.
How much super should I have at my age?
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provides benchmark super balances by age. Approximate benchmarks: age 30: $50,000–$60,000; age 40: $130,000–$150,000; age 50: $260,000–$300,000; age 60: $450,000–$520,000. These are median benchmarks — many Australians have less. ASFA estimates a comfortable retirement requires $595,000 for singles and $690,000 for couples (2025 figures).
What is the concessional contributions cap?
The concessional contributions cap is $30,000 per financial year (FY2025–26). Concessional contributions include employer SG contributions plus any salary sacrifice contributions and personal contributions you claim a tax deduction for. Contributions within this cap are taxed at 15% in the super fund. Contributions exceeding the cap are included in your assessable income at your marginal tax rate, with a 15% tax offset.
When can I access my superannuation?
The preservation age in Australia is 60 for anyone born after 30 June 1964. You can access your super on or after preservation age once you have retired (met a condition of release). You can also access super from age 60 while still working via a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension. Compulsory access under the Retirement Income Covenant begins at age 65 regardless of work status. Age Pension eligibility commences at 67.
Should I contribute more to super or pay off my mortgage first?
This is a common dilemma. Key factors: your marginal tax rate (higher earners benefit more from super's 15% contributions tax), your mortgage interest rate vs expected super return, and your time horizon. A common approach is to split: make minimum SG, pay down mortgage aggressively, then increase super contributions as the mortgage decreases. Use the Super Balance and Mortgage Calculator together to model both scenarios.