Super Balance Projector
Project your superannuation balance at retirement based on current balance, salary, contributions, and investment returns.
How Your Super Balance Grows — The Power of Compounding
Superannuation grows through three mechanisms: employer contributions (SG), your own voluntary contributions, and investment returns. The tax-advantaged environment inside super makes compounding especially powerful — earnings are taxed at 15% in accumulation phase, versus your marginal rate outside super.
2026–27 Superannuation Rules
The Superannuation Guarantee rate is 12% for the 2026–27 financial year. The concessional contributions cap is $32,500/year including employer SG. The non-concessional cap is $130,000/year or up to $390,000 under the bring-forward rule. The general transfer balance cap is $2.1 million from 1 July 2026.
Illustrative target Retirement Standard (2026)
Retirement spending depends on housing, health, household size and lifestyle. The dollar targets used here are illustrative scenario benchmarks, not current ASFA standards or personalised recommendations. Check the latest ASFA publication if using that benchmark.
Age Pension Calculator — 2026
Estimate your Age Pension entitlement. The pension is means-tested through both an income test and assets test — the one giving the lower pension applies.
Australian Age Pension — Complete Guide 2026
The Age Pension is a government payment to Australians aged 67 or over who meet residency and means-testing requirements. From 20 September 2026, the maximum rate is $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $933.00 each for couples, including supplements.
Income Test
Current basic pension tests use income-free areas of $226 a fortnight for singles and $396 combined for couples. Full-pension homeowner asset-free areas are $333,000 single and $499,000 couple combined; non-homeowner areas are $600,000 and $766,000. Both tests apply; circumstances and supplements can change the result. See Services Australia for current limits.
Assets Test
Current basic pension tests use income-free areas of $226 a fortnight for singles and $396 combined for couples. Full-pension homeowner asset-free areas are $333,000 single and $499,000 couple combined; non-homeowner areas are $600,000 and $766,000. Both tests apply; circumstances and supplements can change the result. See Services Australia for current limits.
Super Drawdown Planner
How long will your super last? Project your account-based pension balance over time, accounting for withdrawals, investment returns, and minimum drawdown rates.
Planning Your Super Drawdown Strategy
The challenge of retirement income planning is ensuring your money lasts as long as you do. With Australians now living into their late 80s and 90s, a 30-year retirement is increasingly common. This requires careful balancing of withdrawals, investment returns, and longevity risk.
Safe Withdrawal Rate in Australia
Research suggests a "safe" withdrawal rate of approximately 3.5–4% of starting balance per year allows a high probability of funds lasting 30 years. On a $600,000 balance, this equates to $21,000–$24,000 per year — supplemented by the Age Pension for most retirees.
Account-Based Pension vs Annuity
An account-based pension (ABP) gives you flexibility and the balance passes to your estate. An annuity provides guaranteed income for life, eliminating longevity risk. Many financial advisors recommend a combination: cover core expenses with an annuity, maintain an ABP for discretionary spending and flexibility.
Retirement Income Planner
Combine your super drawdown, Age Pension, investment income, and other sources to see your total annual retirement income picture.
How Much Do You Need to Retire Comfortably in Australia?
Retirement spending depends on housing, health, household size and lifestyle. The dollar targets used here are illustrative scenario benchmarks, not current ASFA standards or personalised recommendations. Check the latest ASFA publication if using that benchmark.
The Three Pillars of Australian Retirement Income
Australia's retirement income system has three pillars: compulsory superannuation (SG contributions from your employer), voluntary savings (additional super contributions, investments, property), and the Age Pension as a safety net. For most Australians, retirement income will be a blend of all three.
Super Contribution Tax Savings Calculator
Estimate the tax benefit of salary sacrificing or making personal deductible concessional contributions into super.
Salary Sacrifice and Concessional Super Contributions
Concessional super contributions can be tax effective because they are generally taxed at 15% inside super rather than your personal marginal tax rate. This can create meaningful tax savings for many workers, especially those earning above $45,000.
Carry Forward Contributions
If your total super balance was under $500,000 at the previous 30 June, you may be able to use unused concessional cap amounts from the previous five years. This can be useful after career breaks, bonuses, capital gains or higher income years.
FIRE Retirement Target Calculator
Estimate the investment balance needed to reach financial independence before or during retirement, using your spending target and withdrawal rate.
FIRE in Australia: Super Plus Bridge Portfolio
The Australian FIRE strategy is different from the US because super is highly tax advantaged but locked until preservation age. Many Australians use a two-bucket approach: a taxable investment portfolio for early retirement years and superannuation for later life.
Why the Bridge Portfolio Matters
If you retire before you can access super, you need enough non-super investments to cover living expenses until preservation age. Your super may continue compounding in the background, while your outside-super portfolio funds the early years.