How Much Super Should I Have by Age? A Guide to Superannuation in Australia
If you’ve ever looked at your superannuation balance and wondered, “How much super should I have?”, you’re not alone.
Your super balance can help indicate whether you’re on track for the retirement you want. However, there is no single balance that every Australian should have at a particular age. Your ideal super balance depends on factors such as your income, lifestyle, when you plan to retire, whether you own your home, your investment returns, contributions, and how much you’ll need to spend in retirement.
Looking at super by age can still provide a useful benchmark for understanding where your balance stands..
In this guide, we’ll look at average super balances by age, how much you may need for retirement, the factors that can affect your target and practical strategies that could help you build your super over time.
How much super should I have?
There is no single superannuation balance that is considered “right” for everyone.
Two people of the same age could have very different super balances and both be on track for their individual retirement goals.
For example, someone who plans to retire at 60 and wants to travel extensively may need significantly more retirement savings than someone who plans to work until 70 and expects to receive a larger Age Pension entitlement.
Your retirement target can depend on:
- Your current age
- Your current super balance
- Your income and future earning potential
- How much you and your employer contribute
- Your investment option and investment returns
- Your fees and insurance costs
- When you intend to retire
- Whether you own your home
- Your expected retirement lifestyle
- Other investments and savings
- Your potential Age Pension entitlement
- Whether you are planning for retirement as a single person or couple
This is why how much super you should have by age is best treated as a guide rather than a strict target.
Super by age: How much does the average Australian have?
One useful starting point is to compare your super balance with the average balances for Australians in your age group.
According to APRA data the average super balances by age group in December 2025 were approximately:
| Age | Average super balance |
| Under 25 | $8,800 |
| 25-29 | $27,000 |
| 30-34 | $52,700 |
| 35-39 | $85,100 |
| 40-44 | $118,700 |
| 45-49 | $151,900 |
| 50-54 | $190,500 |
| 55-59 | $234,700 |
| 60-64 | $263,400 |
| 65-69 | $285,800 |
| 70-74 | $308,600 |
| 75-84 | $296,700 |
| 85+ | $193,300 |
These figures are averages and should not be interpreted as a required or recommended balance for your age. Some Australians will have significantly more, while others will have less.
How much super should I have in my 20s?
If you’re in your 20s, your super balance may still be relatively small, particularly if you’ve only recently entered the workforce.
The average balance is around $8,800 for people under 25 and $27,000 for those aged 25-29, providing a broad benchmark for these age groups.
However, being below the average doesn’t necessarily mean you’re behind.
The most important advantage you have in your 20s is time.
Your super can potentially benefit from compound investment returns over several decades. Even relatively small additional contributions made early in your career can have a significant impact over the long term.
At this stage, focus on:
- Checking that your employer is paying your super correctly
- Understanding which investment option your super is invested in
- Reviewing your super fund’s fees
- Consolidating unnecessary super accounts where appropriate
- Avoiding unnecessary insurance or account costs
- Building good financial habits early
How much super should I have at 30?
For Australians aged 30-34, the average super balance is around $52,700, while the average for people aged 35-39 is approximately $85,100.
Your 30s can be an important period for building retirement savings as your income and earning potential may increase as your career progresses.
However, this is also often the stage of life when financial commitments increase. You may be saving for a home, paying a mortgage, raising children or managing other expenses.
You don’t necessarily need to prioritise super contributions over every other financial goal.
Instead, consider how super fits into your overall wealth strategy.
For example, you might focus on:
- Maintaining appropriate emergency savings
- Paying down high-interest debt
- Building home equity
- Making additional super contributions where appropriate
- Reviewing your investment strategy
- Increasing contributions as your income rises
The key is consistency.
How much super should I have at 40?
For Australians aged 40-44, the average super balance is approximately $118,700. For those aged 45-49, it rises to around $151,900.
By your 40s, retirement planning can become more tangible.
You may have a clearer idea of when you want to stop working and what you want your lifestyle to look like. This makes it a good time to look beyond whether your balance is simply “average”.
Instead, ask:
Will my current super balance and contributions provide the retirement lifestyle I want?
If your projected balance is falling short, you still have time to make meaningful changes.
Potential strategies could include increasing voluntary contributions, reviewing your investment option, reducing unnecessary fees or considering whether your current retirement age is realistic.
How much super should I have at 50?
For Australians aged 50–54, the average super balance is around $190,500. For those aged 55–59, it is approximately $234,700.
Your 50s are an important stage for assessing whether you’re on track for retirement.
Rather than relying solely on an age-based benchmark, consider calculating how much you are likely to have when you retire.
Ask yourself:
- When do I want to retire?
- How much will I need to spend each year?
- Will I own my home?
- Will I have other investments?
- Will I be eligible for some Age Pension?
- How much am I currently contributing to super?
- Is my investment strategy appropriate for my timeframe?
If there’s a gap between your projected retirement savings and your desired retirement lifestyle, identifying it in your 50s gives you an opportunity to adjust your strategy.
How much super should I have at 60?
For Australians aged 60-64, the average super balance is approximately $263,400.
However, reaching 60 doesn’t automatically mean you have enough to retire.
Your required balance depends on what you want retirement to look like.
Someone planning a modest retirement may require considerably less than someone wanting frequent international travel, private health cover, a new vehicle and substantial discretionary spending.
This is why retirement planning should focus on your expected spending rather than simply comparing your balance with an average.
You should also understand when you can access your super.
Generally, preservation age is 60 for people born from 1 July 1964, although accessing super depends on your circumstances and the relevant conditions of release.
How much super do I need to retire?
Another way to answer “How much super should I have?” is to start with the amount you may need at retirement rather than your age today.
ASFA’s Retirement Standard provides useful benchmarks for estimating retirement saving needs.
For a homeowner aged 67, ASFA estimates that approximately the following lump sums may be required:
- $630,000 for a single person seeking a comfortable retirement
- $730,000 for a couple seeking a comfortable retirement
- $110,000 for a single person seeking a modest retirement
- $120,000 for a couple seeking a modest retirement
These figures take the Age Pension into account and assume the homeowner owns their home outright.
These aren’t mandatory super balances or guarantees of a particular retirement income. They are benchmarks based on particular assumptions.
Your personal target could be higher or lower.
What does a comfortable retirement look like?
A comfortable retirement is about more than covering essential bills.
ASFA’s comfortable retirement benchmark includes spending on areas such as travel, hobbies, social activities, eating out, private health cover, a reliable vehicle, home maintenance and household utilities.
Your own definition of “comfortable” may be completely different.
For example, you might want to:
- Travel overseas every year
- Help your children financially
- Renovate your home
- Purchase a new car
- Spend more on hobbies
- Maintain private health insurance
- Leave an inheritance
- Support family members
The more you want to spend in retirement, the more retirement savings you may need.
Why your home ownership matters
One of the key factors affecting retirement planning is whether you own your home.
ASFA’s retirement benchmarks generally assume that retirees own their home outright.
A homeowner and a renter can therefore have very different retirement savings requirements.
If you expect to rent throughout retirement, your super may need to support housing costs in addition to everyday living expenses.
This is one reason you shouldn’t simply use a generic figure such as “$630,000” as your personal retirement target.
Your financial plan should consider your housing position, expected spending and other assets.
What is the Super Guarantee rate?
Employer super contributions are an important source of retirement savings for many Australians.
The Super Guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings for eligible employees in 2026-27.
For example, if an eligible employee earns $100,000 in ordinary time earnings, a 12% Super Guarantee contribution would equate to $12,000 for the year before considering the relevant contribution arrangements and limits.
However, employer contributions alone may not necessarily be enough to achieve the retirement lifestyle you want.
This is where additional contributions and an appropriate investment strategy can become important.
Why your super balance may be lower than expected
If your super balance is below the average for your age, there can be several legitimate reasons.
You may have:
- Taken time away from paid employment
- Worked part-time or casually
- Changed careers
- Been self-employed
- Taken parental leave
- Had periods of unemployment
- Started contributing to super later
- Had multiple super accounts and lost track of some savings
- Paid relatively high fees
- Experienced periods of lower investment returns
Women can also have lower lifetime super balances because of differences in career patterns, income and time spent outside the workforce. ASFA research has highlighted a persistent gender gap in superannuation.
Being behind an average doesn’t mean you’re destined for a poor retirement.
The more useful question is:
What can I do from here to improve my retirement position?
How can I increase my super balance?
If your projected retirement balance is lower than you’d like, there are several strategies you may be able to consider.
1. Make additional contributions
You may be able to make voluntary contributions to your super through salary sacrifice or personal contributions.
Even small additional contributions can add up over many years.
Before making additional contributions, consider contribution caps, your tax position and whether the strategy is appropriate for your circumstances.
2. Review your investment option
Your super is invested, so the investment option you choose can influence your long-term balance.
Different investment options have different levels of investment risk, expected returns and asset allocations.
Your investment strategy should reflect factors such as your timeframe, goals, risk tolerance and financial circumstances.
Avoid changing investments simply because markets have fallen or risen without understanding the potential consequences.
3. Check your super fees
Fees can reduce the amount of money that remains invested in your super.
Review your administration fees, investment fees and other costs and consider whether you’re receiving value for what you’re paying.
Even a small difference in annual fees can become significant over a long investment timeframe.
4. Check your insurance
Many super funds provide insurance, such as life, total and permanent disability and income protection cover.
Insurance can provide valuable protection, but premiums are generally paid from your super balance.
Check whether your cover remains appropriate for your circumstances and whether you’re paying for insurance you no longer need.
5. Find and consolidate lost super
If you’ve changed jobs over the years, you may have multiple super accounts.
Having multiple accounts can mean paying multiple sets of fees.
Check whether you have any lost or inactive super and consider whether consolidation is appropriate for you.
Before consolidating, check whether changing funds could affect insurance, investment options, fees or other benefits.
6. Review your super regularly
You don’t need to obsess over your super balance every week.
However, reviewing it at least annually can help you stay informed.
MoneySmart recommends checking important areas such as your personal details, contributions, investment option, fees, insurance and beneficiaries.
What if I don’t have enough super for my age?
Being below the average does not necessarily mean you’re on track for a poor retirement.
An age-based benchmark is not a pass-or-fail test.
If you’re behind the average, the right response is to understand why and determine what changes could realistically improve your position.
For example, someone aged 45 with $100,000 in super may initially feel behind the average. But their retirement outcome will depend on their future income, contributions, investment returns, fees, retirement age, spending needs and other assets.
Someone with a lower balance today can potentially make significant progress over the next 15–20 years.
The earlier you identify a potential shortfall, the more options you generally have.
Average super balance vs the amount you actually need
It’s important to distinguish between two different questions:
“How much super does the average Australian have?”
and
“How much super do I personally need?”
Average balances answer the first question.
They don’t answer the second.
For example, APRA’s December 2025 data shows an average balance of around $118,700 for Australians aged 40–44.
That doesn’t mean every 40-year-old should have exactly $118,700.
Your personal retirement target could be substantially different.
Your target should be based on your expected retirement income and expenses, rather than simply trying to match the average balance for your age.
How to know if you’re on track
A useful retirement planning process is to compare three numbers:
- Your current super balance
How much do you have today?
- Your projected retirement balance
How much could you potentially have if your current contributions and investment strategy continue?
- Your target retirement balance
How much do you estimate you’ll need to support your desired retirement lifestyle?
The difference between numbers two and three can highlight whether you may have a shortfall.
For example:
Current super: $180,000
Projected retirement balance: $480,000
Desired retirement target: $650,000
In this simplified example, the projected balance is $170,000 below the desired retirement target.
That doesn’t automatically mean you need to contribute $170,000 immediately.
You could potentially address the gap through a combination of additional contributions, investment strategy, retirement timing, debt reduction, other investments or adjustments to expected retirement spending.
This is where personalised retirement modelling can be particularly valuable.
Should I put more money into super?
For many Australians, super can be an effective long-term retirement savings vehicle, but making additional contributions is not necessarily the right strategy for every situation.
Before making additional contributions, consider your broader financial position.
For example, you may have:
- A mortgage
- High-interest debt
- Young children
- Limited emergency savings
- Investment property debt
- Other investments
- A need for greater financial flexibility
Super is generally designed for retirement and access is subject to preservation and release rules.
As a result, putting additional money into super can reduce your access to those funds before retirement.
A financial planner can help you compare different strategies and understand how additional super contributions could fit into your broader wealth plan.
Superannuation and your overall wealth strategy
Super should not necessarily be viewed in isolation.
For many households, retirement wealth can come from several sources, including:
- Superannuation
- The family home
- Investment properties
- Shares and managed investments
- Cash and term deposits
- Business interests
- The Age Pension, where eligible
A comprehensive retirement strategy considers how these assets work together.
For example, paying down a home loan, building super and investing outside super can each serve different purposes.
At Stickman Wealth, we look at superannuation as part of your broader wealth strategy, alongside financial planning, debt reduction, tax minimisation and retirement modelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much super should I have at 30?
There is no fixed amount you need to have at 30. APRA data cited by MoneySmart shows an average balance of approximately $52,700 for Australians aged 30–34 and $85,100 for those aged 35–39. Use these figures as benchmarks rather than strict targets.
How much super should I have at 40?
The average super balance for Australians aged 40-44 is approximately $118,700, increasing to around $151,900 for those aged 45-49. Your personal target depends on your retirement age, income, contributions, investment returns and expected retirement spending.
How much super should I have at 50?
Australians aged 50-54 have an average balance of approximately $190,500, while those aged 55-59 average around $234,700. At this stage, retirement projections can be more useful than simply comparing yourself with the average.
How much super should I have at 60?
The average super balance for Australians aged 60–64 is approximately $263,400. However, whether this is enough depends on your desired retirement lifestyle, housing situation, other assets, retirement age and potential Age Pension entitlement.
Is $500,000 enough to retire in Australia?
It can be enough for some people, but not necessarily for everyone. Your retirement income depends on how much you spend, whether you own your home, how long your savings need to last, your investment returns and whether you receive the Age Pension or have other sources of income.
Is $1 million enough to retire in Australia?
For many retirees, $1 million can provide a substantial retirement asset base, but there is no universal answer. Your required amount depends on your lifestyle, retirement age, spending, housing costs, investment strategy and other sources of income.
What is a comfortable super balance at retirement?
ASFA’s current benchmark for a comfortable retirement at age 67 is approximately $630,000 for a single homeowner and $730,000 for a couple who own their home. These are benchmarks rather than guarantees or mandatory balances.
Can I catch up if my super is behind?
Potentially, yes. Depending on your circumstances, strategies may include increasing voluntary contributions, reviewing your investment strategy, reducing unnecessary fees, working longer or adjusting your retirement expectations. The most appropriate approach depends on your individual circumstances.
Final thoughts: Focus on your retirement goal, not just your age
So, how much super should I have?
The answer isn’t simply a number based on your age.
Age-based averages can help you understand where your balance sits compared with other Australians, but they don’t tell you whether you’re personally on track.
A better approach is to define your desired retirement lifestyle, estimate what it could cost, project your future super balance and identify any potential shortfall early.
The good news is that retirement planning isn’t a one-time decision.
Your income, family circumstances, mortgage, investments, super balance and retirement goals can all change over time. Regularly reviewing your strategy can help you make adjustments as your circumstances evolve.
If you’re unsure whether your super is on track or want to understand how your super fits into your broader wealth strategy, professional financial advice can help you model different scenarios and make informed decisions.
Your retirement doesn’t need to be left to chance. The earlier you understand where you stand, the more options you have to improve your financial future.
General information disclaimer: This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making decisions about superannuation, investments or retirement planning, consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and seek our advice.
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