⚡ Free · No signup · May 2026 rates

Your Retirement,
Clearly Calculated

Six calculators covering Australian superannuation and retirement planning — project your balance, estimate Age Pension, plan drawdown, build income strategy, test contribution tax savings, and calculate your FIRE number.

$3.5T
Total AU super assets
12%
SG rate 2025 to 2026
$2.0M
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.

Current 2026 SG rate
Cap: $30,000/yr incl. SG (2025 to 2026)
Projected Balance
$0
at age 65
SG Contributions
$0
total employer contributions
Investment Growth
$0
earnings inside super
ASFA Comfortable
✓
$730K needed for couple
Progress to ASFA Comfortable ($730K couple)
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.

2025 to 2026 Superannuation Rules

The Superannuation Guarantee rate is 12% for the 2025 to 2026 financial year. 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 general transfer balance cap is $2.0 million from 1 July 2025.

ASFA Comfortable Retirement Standard (2026)

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) estimates a comfortable retirement requires approximately $730,000 for a couple and $630,000 for a single person. This funds approximately $77,375/year for a couple and $54,840/year for a single homeowner aged 65–84, assuming some Age Pension support.

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 — 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.

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 (2026)
Limiting Test
Assets
check eligibility
Pension as % of maximum
Deeming: The government assumes your financial assets earn a set return regardless of actual earnings — 1.25% on the first $64,200 (single) / $106,200 (couple), and 3.25% above that from 20 March 2026. This deemed income counts toward the income test.

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 March 2026, the maximum rate is $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $905.20 each for couples, including supplements.

Income Test

Singles can earn up to $218/fortnight before the pension reduces. Above that, the pension reduces by 50 cents for each dollar of income. Singles lose entitlement when income exceeds $2,619.80/fortnight. Couples can earn up to $380/fortnight combined before the pension reduces, with part pension cut off at $4,000.80/fortnight combined.

Assets Test

Single homeowners can have up to $321,500 in assets before the pension reduces. For couple homeowners, the threshold is $481,500. Above these thresholds, the pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 of assets. Part pension cuts out at $722,000 for single homeowners and $1,085,000 for couple homeowners.

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: 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 $31,223/year from March 2026, and for a couple approximately $47,070/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 2026 Retirement Standard, a comfortable retirement for a single homeowner requires approximately $54,840/year, and for a couple $77,375/year. A modest retirement is approximately $35,503/year for singles and $51,299/year 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 general transfer balance cap is $2.0 million from 1 July 2025. It 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.

Super Contribution Tax Savings Calculator

Estimate the tax benefit of salary sacrificing or making personal deductible concessional contributions into super.

Used to assess carry forward contribution eligibility
Usually salary × 12%
Salary sacrifice or deductible personal contribution
Only generally available if prior 30 June balance was under $500K
Estimated Tax Saving
$0
income tax saved minus 15% contribution tax
Contribution Tax
$0
15% inside super
Cap Space Left
$0
after extra contribution
Future Value
$0
extra contribution compounded
Important: The concessional contributions cap is $30,000 for 2025 to 2026, including employer SG, salary sacrifice and deductible personal contributions. Contributions above your available cap may create extra tax. This calculator is educational only.

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.

Is salary sacrifice better than after-tax contributions? +
Salary sacrifice is usually more tax effective for people with a marginal tax rate above 15%, but it reduces take-home pay. After-tax non-concessional contributions do not usually give an immediate tax deduction unless you claim a personal deduction and stay within the concessional cap.

FIRE Retirement Target Calculator

Estimate the investment balance needed to reach financial independence before or during retirement, using your spending target and withdrawal rate.

Common range: 3.5% to 4.5%
FIRE Number
$0
target invested assets
Projected Outside Super
$0
at target age
Gap / Surplus
$0
to target
Monthly Saving Needed
$0
outside super
FIRE planning in Australia needs special care because super is usually inaccessible until preservation age. Early retirees often need a bridge portfolio outside super to fund the years before super access.

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.

Is 4% safe in Australia? +
The 4% rule is a rough planning guide, not a guarantee. A lower rate such as 3.5% may be more conservative for long retirements, high inflation periods or portfolios with lower growth exposure.

Related Australian Calculators

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