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Compare your super balance and see whether you're on track for retirement
How much super do you need to retire comfortably?
There's no single answer to how much super you’ll need for retirement. The amount that's right for you depends on your lifestyle, living costs and other savings.
To get an idea of how much you might spend in retirement, you can check the following:
- The Association of Super Funds of Australia (ASFA) publishes a Retirement Standard, updated quarterly. It estimates how much you might spend in retirement, based on either a comfortable or a modest standard of living.
- Super Consumers Australia estimates low, medium and high levels of spending in retirement, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data on retiree spending.
Both ASFA and Super Consumers Australia estimate how much you may need in super and other savings to support your retirement spending.
What's a ‘comfortable’ retirement?
A comfortable retirement, according to ASFA, is about more than covering the basics. It means you enjoy a good standard of living and have money for:
- annual domestic trips and one overseas trip every seven years
- regular hobbies and social outings
- occasional restaurant and takeaway meals
- top level private health cover and unexpected medical costs beyond what Medicare covers
- a reliable car, petrol and maintenance
- home maintenance and appliance updates
- utilities like power, water, gas and council rates
- internet, phone, computer, and streaming services.
It's a good idea to check your super at least once a year
Checking your super each year can help you spot mistakes and make informed decisions. If something doesn't make sense, contact your super fund and ask questions.
check_box Check your personal details are correct.
check_box Check your contributions (the money that's going into your account).
check_box Check how your money is invested.
check_box Check the fees you're paying.
check_box Check your insurance cover.
check_box Check your beneficiaries (what happens to your super if you die).
Read more about how to check your super.
High-pressure sales tactics are putting your super savings at risk. Be on red alert for phone calls, click bait advertising and promises of unrealistic returns to encourage you to put your super into risky investments. Stop, think carefully, and check the claims first.
Read the investor alert and our tips on how to protect your money.
Work out how much super you should aim for
ASFA estimates the super balance a single person may need at age 67 for a modest or comfortable retirement. It takes into account Age Pension, where applicable, and assumes you own your home outright, unless noted.
| Estimate | Savings at age 67 (single person) |
| Comfortable retirement | $630,000 |
| Modest retirement | $110,000 |
| Modest retirement if renting | $340,000 |
Source: ASFA’s Retirement Standard, accessed September 2026. You can read all the calculation assumptions on ASFA’s website.
Super Consumers Australia estimates your savings target at age 65. It takes into account the Age Pension, where applicable, and assumes you own your home outright.
| Estimate | Savings at age 65 (single person) |
| Low spending | $74,000 |
| Medium spending | $322,000 |
| High spending | $891,000 |
Source: Super Consumers Australia, accessed September 2026. You can read all the calculation assumptions on the SCA website.
These estimates are guides, not rules. The amount you need may be higher or lower depending on your lifestyle, housing costs and other income in retirement.
What is the average super balance by age?
How do real superannuation balances compare to the estimates above? The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) tracks average super balances across age groups in Australia.
| Age group (years) | Average balance |
| < 25 | $9,400 |
| 25-29 | $28,800 |
| 30–34 | $55,200 |
| 35–39 | $88,400 |
| 40–44 | $123,400 |
| 45–49 | $157,900 |
| 50–54 | $198,000 |
| 55–59 | $243,300 |
| 60–64 | $270,800 |
| 65-69 | $290,600 |
| 70-74 | $312,000 |
| 75-84 | $302,900 |
| 85+ | $199,500 |
Source: APRA Quarterly Superannuation Statistics, June 2026. Amounts rounded to nearest $100
These are averages only. Many factors can affect your super balance, including your income, career path and time in the workforce. The figures can help you understand how your balance compares with others in your age group, but they won't tell you how much you'll need in retirement.
If your balance is lower than you'd like, there may be steps you can take to grow your super over time.
How to Improve Your Super Balance
Get financial advice if you need it
If you're unsure whether you're on track for retirement, personalised financial advice may help you understand your options and make a plan that suits your situation. Many super funds also provide this service.
Knowing how much super you need in retirement, how your balance compares with others your age, and whether you're on track for the retirement you want is a useful first step.
Use the retirement planner
Once you have a rough savings target, use the Moneysmart retirement planner to estimate:
- how much money you'll have to spend each year once you retire
- how fees, investment options and contributions will affect your retirement income.
You can also use the planner to test different scenarios and work out how to grow your super.