Superannuation Calculator Australia
Project your super balance at retirement. Includes 11.5% Super Guarantee, voluntary contributions and compound growth.
Last updated: April 2026
Estimated Super at Retirement
$2,062,082
In 35 years at age 65
Monthly Retirement Income
$6,874
At 4% annual drawdown rate
Super at Retirement
$2,062,082
Employer SG Total
$357,000
Voluntary Contributions
$84,000
Investment Growth
$1,591,082
2024/25 Super Guarantee Rate: 11.5%
The SG rate increases to 12% from 1 July 2025. The concessional contributions cap for 2024/25 is $30,000. Earnings inside super are taxed at a concessional 15% rate.
How Super Works in Australia
Superannuation is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Your employer must contribute 11.5% of your ordinary time earnings (rising to 12% from July 2025) into your super fund.
The power of super comes from compound growth inside a low-tax environment (15% on earnings vs your marginal rate) over decades. Starting early and making additional contributions can dramatically increase your retirement balance.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter current age and salary — Your age and annual salary determine Super Guarantee contributions.
- 2Add current super balance — Check your latest super statement or MyGov.
- 3Set extra contributions — Any voluntary super contributions above the SG rate.
- 4Adjust expected return — 7% is a reasonable long-term estimate for balanced funds.
- 5See retirement balance — Projected super balance and monthly income at your retirement age.
Formula & example
Future Balance = P×(1+r)^n + Annual_Contributions × [((1+r)^n - 1) / r]
Age 35, salary $80,000, current balance $50,000, 7% return, retire at 65
Annual SG = $80,000 × 11.5% = $9,200
Projected balance at 65: ~$715,000
Monthly income at 4% drawdown: ~$2,383
Benefits
Low tax environment
Super earnings taxed at 15% vs your marginal rate — massive advantage over decades.
Employer contributions
11.5% SG is free money from your employer — don't leave it uninvested.
Compounding power
Decades of compound growth in a tax-advantaged environment creates significant wealth.
Government co-contributions
Low-income earners making after-tax contributions may receive government co-contributions.
Use cases
Retirement planning
Project whether your super will be sufficient to fund your desired lifestyle in retirement.
Salary sacrifice decisions
See how additional salary sacrifice contributions accelerate your super balance.
Career break planning
Understand the impact of a career break (e.g., parental leave) on your super balance.
Super fund comparison
Compare what different return rates mean for your final balance when choosing funds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Super Guarantee rate in 2024-25?+
The Super Guarantee (SG) rate is 11.5% for 2024-25. It increases to 12% from 1 July 2025. Your employer must pay this percentage of your ordinary time earnings into your super fund.
How much super will I need to retire?+
ASFA (Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia) estimates comfortable retirement requires $595,000 for a single person and $690,000 for a couple (2024 figures). This supports around $50,000-$70,000 per year in retirement.
What return should I expect from my super?+
Over the long term, balanced super funds have historically returned 7-8% p.a. before tax. Growth funds targeting higher equity exposure may return 8-9%, while conservative funds return 4-6%. Use 7% as a reasonable long-term estimate.
Can I make extra contributions to super?+
Yes. Concessional (pre-tax) contributions cap is $30,000/year. Non-concessional (after-tax) cap is $110,000/year. Extra contributions benefit from the 15% super tax rate vs your marginal income tax rate.
At what age can I access my super?+
Your preservation age depends on your birth year — it's 60 for those born after 30 June 1964. You can access super as a lump sum or income stream once you reach preservation age and meet a condition of release (e.g., retirement, turning 65).
Related articles
How much super do you need to retire comfortably in Australia?
ASFA benchmarks, age pension interaction, and what your target super balance should be.
Should I salary sacrifice into super in 2026?
When salary sacrifice into super makes sense — tax savings, contribution caps and timing.
Choosing a super fund: industry vs retail vs SMSF
How to compare super funds on fees, returns and investment options.