How much super should I have at my age?

Planning for retirement can be daunting, but understanding how much superannuation you should have at different stages of your life can make it easier. Here’s a guide to help you gauge whether you’re on track with your super savings.
 

Why superannuation matters

Superannuation is a critical part of your retirement plan no matter what age you are. It can help deliver a steady income when you stop working, helping you maintain your lifestyle and cover essential expenses. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) provides guidelines to help Australians understand how much they need for a comfortable or modest retirement.
 

How do Australians know if they’re on track? 

The updated comfortable retirement lump sums for homeowners aged 67 are now $630,000 for singles (up from $595,000), and $730,000 for couples (up from $690,000). This is the first time ASFA’s lump sum figures have increased in three years. 

To be on track for the ASFA Comfortable Standard of $630,000 in super at retirement, Australians would aim to have the following super balances at the beginning of each respective age milestone. This assumes a future pre-tax income of $65,000 a year that keeps track with inflation: 

•    By age 30: At this stage, your super balance might be relatively low, but not to worry. At age 25, ASFA suggests that you have about $66,500.   
•    By age 40: ASFA suggests that you should aim to have around $168,000 in your super balance.
•    By age 50: ASFA suggests you should aim to have around $296,000 in your super balance.
•    By age 55: ASFA suggests that you should aim to have around $377,000 in your super.
•    By age 60: ASFA suggests you should have around $469,000 in your super balance.
•    By age 65: As you get closer to retirement, the power of compounding interest works harder for your super balance. ASFA suggests you should have around $571,000 in your super balance.
 

Tools to help you stay on track

Websites like ASFA offer tools and calculators to help you estimate how much super you should have at your age and track your progress. The Super Balance Detective tool, for example, can provide an estimate of how much you should on average, have in your super account, based on your age and income.

You can estimate how much super you will have at retirement, using Moneysmart’s superannuation calculator.

You can also check out our Growing my super insights hub on our website for information on the different types of contributions you can make to your super.

Finally, knowing how much super you should have at different stages of your life can help you plan for retirement. Regularly reviewing your super balance and making additional contributions, when possible, may help ensure you stay on track to achieve your retirement goals. Speaking with a financial adviser can also help set you up for success when it comes to reaching your retirement goals.

¹Target figures are based on the ASFA Retirement Standard for 2025-26. Every individual’s needs are different. We recommend checking your specific balance and lifestyle goals within our portal.