⚡ Free · No signup · 2025–26 rates

Your Retirement,
Clearly Calculated

Four calculators covering every aspect of Australian superannuation — project your balance, estimate your pension, plan your drawdown, and build a retirement income strategy.

$3.5T
Total AU super assets
11.5%
SG rate 2024–25
$1.9M
Transfer balance cap
Age 67
Pension age

Super Balance Projector

Project your superannuation balance at retirement based on current balance, salary, contributions, and investment returns.

Rises to 12% in Jul 2025
Cap: $30,000/yr incl. SG (2024–25)
Projected Balance
$0
at age 65
SG Contributions
$0
total employer contributions
Investment Growth
$0
earnings inside super
ASFA Comfortable
✓
$595K needed for couple
Progress to ASFA Comfortable ($595K)
Concessional contributions are taxed at 15% inside super (instead of your marginal rate), making extra contributions one of the most tax-effective wealth building strategies available to Australians. Unused cap can be carried forward up to 5 years if your balance is under $500K.

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.

2024–25 Superannuation Rules

The Superannuation Guarantee rate is 11.5% from 1 July 2024 (rising to 12% in July 2025). The concessional contributions cap is $30,000/year including employer SG. The non-concessional cap is $120,000/year or up to $360,000 under the bring-forward rule. The transfer balance cap (how much you can move to pension phase) is $1.9 million.

ASFA Comfortable Retirement Standard (2025)

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) estimates a comfortable retirement requires approximately $595,000 for a couple and $510,000 for a single person. This funds approximately $70,000/year for a couple and $50,000/year for a single — assuming you receive some age pension.

Should I make extra super contributions? +
For most working Australians on incomes above $45,000, making concessional (before-tax) contributions up to the $30,000 cap is one of the best tax strategies available. Your contributions are taxed at 15% vs your marginal rate (e.g. 32.5% or 37%). Over 30 years, the difference is dramatic. Salary sacrifice is the easiest mechanism — talk to your HR/payroll team.
What age can I access my super? +
Your preservation age is the minimum age you can access super — currently 60 if you were born after 1 July 1964. You can access super once you reach preservation age AND retire, or when you turn 65 regardless of employment status. From 60, withdrawals are tax-free. Before 60, the taxable component may incur tax.
How do I choose the best super fund? +
Key factors are: investment performance (compare 10-year net returns), fees (admin + investment fees combined should be under 0.8% for large balances), insurance inside super (default cover for death, TPD, and income protection), and service features. Large industry funds like Australian Super, Hostplus, and REST have consistently performed well with low fees. Check ATO's YourSuper comparison tool.

Age Pension Calculator — 2025–26

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.

Must be 67+ for Age Pension
Bank accounts, shares, managed funds
Car, furniture, personal effects (est.)
Rent, dividends, part-time work
Estimated Fortnightly Pension
$0
per fortnight
Annual Pension
$0
per year
Full Pension Rate
$0
per fortnight (2025–26)
Limiting Test
Assets
check eligibility
Pension as % of maximum
Deeming: The government assumes your financial assets earn a set return regardless of actual earnings — 0.25% on the first $62,600 (single) / $103,800 (couple), and 2.25% above that (rates as of 2025). This deemed income counts toward the income test.

Australian Age Pension — Complete Guide 2025–26

The Age Pension is a government payment to Australians aged 67 or over who meet residency and means-testing requirements. The maximum rate (2025–26) is $1,144.40 per fortnight for singles and $863.60 each for couples.

Income Test

Singles can earn up to $212/fortnight before the pension reduces. Above that, the pension reduces by 50 cents for each dollar of income. Singles lose entitlement when income exceeds $2,480.80/fortnight. Couples: free area is $372/fortnight combined.

Assets Test

Single homeowners can have up to $314,000 in assets before the pension reduces. For couple homeowners, the threshold is $470,000. Above these thresholds, the pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 of assets. Non-homeowners have thresholds $218,000 higher.

Does my home count in the assets test? +
Your primary residence is exempt from the assets test, regardless of its value. However, it determines whether you're assessed as a homeowner or non-homeowner, which affects your asset threshold. Rental properties, holiday homes, and investment properties are fully assessed.
Can I have super and still get the Age Pension? +
Yes. Your super balance counts as a financial asset for means-testing purposes once you reach pension age. An account-based pension balance is also counted as a financial asset and subject to deeming for the income test. Strategic super withdrawal planning can sometimes optimise your pension entitlement.

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.

Your desired annual income from super
Increase to keep up with inflation
Super Lasts Until
Age 88
23 years
Balance at Age 80
$0
projected
Balance at Age 85
$0
projected
Minimum Drawdown
4%
ATO minimum at age 65
Minimum drawdown rates (ATO 2025): Age 60–64: 4% | Age 65–74: 5% | Age 75–79: 6% | Age 80–84: 7% | Age 85–89: 9% | Age 90–94: 11% | Age 95+: 14%. You must withdraw at least this amount each year from your account-based pension.

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.

What happens if I run out of super? +
If your super runs out, you would rely on the Age Pension if you meet age and residency requirements. The full single pension is approximately $29,754/year (2025), and for a couple $44,855/year combined. It's a safety net, but a modest one. The goal of super planning is to supplement or significantly exceed the pension level.

Retirement Income Planner

Combine your super drawdown, Age Pension, investment income, and other sources to see your total annual retirement income picture.

Outside super — shares, ETFs, etc.
Total Annual Income
$0
all sources combined
Super Drawdown
$0
account-based pension
Estimated Age Pension
$0
partial entitlement
Lifestyle Rating
Comfortable
ASFA standard
⚠️ This calculator provides estimates only. Retirement income planning involves complex tax considerations, Centrelink means testing, and sequencing risk. We strongly recommend working with a licensed financial advisor for a comprehensive retirement plan.

How Much Do You Need to Retire Comfortably in Australia?

According to ASFA's 2025 Retirement Standard, a comfortable retirement for a single person requires approximately $50,981/year, and for a couple $71,706/year. A "modest" retirement (above the pension but limited lifestyle) is $33,134 for singles and $47,731 for couples.

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.

Is super withdrawn tax-free? +
Yes, if you are 60 or older and accessing super from a taxed fund (virtually all retail and industry funds). Both lump sums and regular pension payments are completely tax-free after age 60. Before 60, the taxable component may be taxed at 17% (including Medicare levy).
What is the transfer balance cap? +
The transfer balance cap ($1.9 million in 2024–25) is the maximum amount you can move from accumulation phase into pension phase. Earnings in pension phase are tax-free, making this cap significant for higher-balance retirees. Amounts above the cap must remain in accumulation (where earnings are taxed at 15%) or be withdrawn.