How much super do I need to retire?
The ASFA targets, what employer super alone builds, and how to close a gap.
Key points
- ASFA's comfortable target is $630,000 for a single homeowner and $730,000 for a couple.
- The modest targets are much lower, but renters need $340,000 to $385,000.
- 12% employer super puts about 10.2% of your pay into super after tax.
- An extra $2,000 a year from 40 could add about $80,000 by 67.
- Owning your home in retirement matters as much as your balance.
There's no single right number, but the most widely used benchmark is the ASFA Retirement Standard. It estimates the super balance a homeowner needs at retirement, on top of a part Age Pension, for a "comfortable" or "modest" lifestyle. Here's what it says and how your super is tracking.
Project your own super balance
The ASFA targets
| Lifestyle | Single | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable (homeowner) | $630,000 | $730,000 |
| Modest (homeowner) | $110,000 | $120,000 |
| Modest (renting privately) | $340,000 | $385,000 |
These are in today's dollars and assume you own your home, draw down all your super over retirement, earn about 6% a year on it, and receive a part Age Pension. A comfortable lifestyle covers things like private health insurance, a reasonable car, regular leisure and an occasional overseas trip. A modest lifestyle is a little better than the Age Pension alone. Renters need much more, because rent eats into retirement income.
What 12% super builds
Employers must pay 12% of your ordinary earnings into super. After the 15% contributions tax, that's 10.2% of your pay going in each year. Here's roughly where different people could end up at 67, in today's dollars:
| Age now | Super now | Salary | Estimated balance at 67 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | $10,000 | $60,000 | $801,000 |
| 30 | $40,000 | $80,000 | $939,000 |
| 35 | $60,000 | $90,000 | $863,000 |
| 40 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $824,000 |
| 45 | $150,000 | $100,000 | $738,000 |
| 50 | $200,000 | $110,000 | $675,000 |
| 55 | $280,000 | $110,000 | $626,000 |
Assumes employer contributions only, a return of 4% a year above inflation after fees, and pay rising 1% a year above inflation. Real results vary with markets, fees, career breaks and investment choice.
Most full-time workers who stay in work are on track for the comfortable single target. The people most at risk are those with long career breaks, low or part-time incomes, or who rent in retirement.
Closing a gap
- Salary sacrifice. $2,000 a year more from age 40 (taxed at 15% going in) adds about $80,000 by 67 in today's dollars, and cuts your income tax now. See the salary sacrifice calculator. The concessional cap is $32,500 in 2026–27, and unused cap from the past five years can be carried forward if your balance is under $500,000.
- Check your fees and investment option. A 0.5% a year difference in fees adds up to tens of thousands over a career. Moneysmart's YourSuper comparison tool ranks MySuper products.
- Find lost super and combine accounts. In myGov, go to ATO, then Super, then Manage. Paying two sets of fees and insurance wastes money.
- Use government help. On a lower income you may get the $500 co-contribution or the low income super tax offset. See our guide to free super money.
- Pay off your home. The ASFA targets assume you own your home outright. Clearing the mortgage before retiring matters as much as the super balance.
The Age Pension fills part of the gap
Most retirees get at least a part Age Pension. A single homeowner can have assets up to $333,000 and still get the full pension, and some pension is paid until assets reach about $745,750. See the Age Pension calculator and our Age Pension guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much super do I need to retire comfortably in Australia?
ASFA estimates $630,000 for a single homeowner and $730,000 for a couple, in today's dollars, assuming a part Age Pension.
How much super should I have at 40?
There's no official figure, but someone aged 40 earning $100,000 with $100,000 in super could reach about $824,000 by 67 in today's dollars with employer contributions alone, under our assumptions. That's above the ASFA comfortable target for a single person.
Is $500,000 enough to retire on?
For a single homeowner it's close to ASFA's comfortable figure once the part Age Pension is included. For a renter or someone retiring early, it may not be enough.
When can I access my super?
Generally from age 60 once you retire, or at 65 even if you're still working. The Age Pension starts at 67.
Sources
- ASFA Retirement Standard summary
- ASFA: understanding the new lump sums
- Moneysmart: how super works
- ATO: contributions caps
More guides
Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general information only. It isn't financial, tax, credit or legal advice and doesn't consider your circumstances. Rules change, so check the official sources below or speak to a licensed professional before you make a decision.