How Much Super Should You Have at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60? (2026 Benchmarks)
Compare your super balance to the 2026 benchmarks at every age. Average super at 30 is $46K but you need $90K+ to retire comfortably. See targets by age and how to catch up.
Super balance benchmarks by age (2026)
Here are the average and recommended super balances by age in 2026, based on ATO statistics and ASFA retirement standard modelling. Age 25: average $28,000, target $35,000. Age 30: average $46,000, target $90,000. Age 35: average $78,000, target $155,000. Age 40: average $115,000, target $230,000. Age 45: average $160,000, target $320,000. Age 50: average $210,000, target $420,000. Age 55: average $275,000, target $530,000. Age 60: average $350,000, target $650,000. The 'target' figures are based on ASFA's 'comfortable retirement' standard of $595,000 for singles and $690,000 for couples at retirement age, assuming continued contributions and investment returns. The 'average' figures include all Australians, many of whom have interrupted work histories, so your balance may differ significantly.
Why the average is misleading — median tells a different story
Average super balances are skewed by high-income earners with very large balances. The median (middle) balance is more representative of a typical Australian. At age 30, the median balance is approximately $25,000-30,000 — significantly lower than the $46,000 average. At age 50, the median is approximately $140,000-160,000 versus the $210,000 average. The gender gap is also significant: women's average super balances are approximately 25% lower than men's at every age, due to career breaks, part-time work, and the gender pay gap. If you are below the average, you are in good company — more than half of Australians are. The key is to take action now: even small additional contributions or salary sacrifice can make a significant difference over time thanks to compound returns.
How to catch up if you are behind
If your super balance is below the target for your age, here are practical strategies. Salary sacrifice: contributing extra pre-tax income to super is tax-effective — you pay 15% contributions tax instead of your marginal rate (up to $30,000 concessional cap in 2025-26). Government co-contribution: if you earn under $58,445 and make after-tax super contributions, the government contributes up to $500. Spouse contribution tax offset: contribute to your lower-earning spouse's super and receive a tax offset of up to $540. Consolidate lost super: the ATO holds over $16 billion in lost and unclaimed super — check via myGov. Review your investment option: younger workers in conservative options may be missing out on higher long-term returns from growth or balanced options. Carry-forward unused caps: if you did not use your full $30,000 concessional cap in previous years, you can carry forward unused amounts for up to 5 years.
How much do you need to retire comfortably?
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) sets the retirement standard benchmarks. A 'comfortable' retirement for a single person requires approximately $595,000 in super at age 67, providing $51,630 per year. A 'modest' retirement requires $100,000, providing $32,666 per year (supplemented by the Age Pension). For couples, comfortable retirement requires $690,000 ($72,663/year) and modest requires $100,000 ($47,113/year). These figures assume you own your home outright. If you are renting in retirement, you will need significantly more. The comfortable standard covers: good food, leisure activities, private health insurance, a reasonable car, domestic travel, and some international travel. Use our superannuation calculator to model your projected balance at retirement based on your current contributions and investment returns.
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Official resources
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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