Wondering how much super you should have by now? You’re not alone — most Australians have no idea whether their balance is on track. But there are official benchmarks you can measure yourself against, and checking them is one of the smartest financial moves you can make in your 30s, 40s and 50s.
In this guide, we break down exactly how much super you should have at 30, 40 and 50, how those targets compare to what Australians actually have, and what to do if you’re behind.
What does the official benchmark say you need?
The ASFA Retirement Standard — compiled by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia — is the benchmark the industry uses to define a comfortable versus modest retirement. It is updated quarterly for inflation, so the figures are current and realistic.
For a homeowner retiring at age 67, ASFA’s current comfortable retirement lump sums are:
- Single person: $630,000 in super
- Couple: $730,000 in super (combined)
These targets were revised upward in 2025 (previously $595,000 and $690,000) because retirees’ living costs — groceries, energy, insurance — have been rising faster than Age Pension support. That funds about $56,166 a year for a single person or $78,998 a year for a couple — private health insurance, a reasonable car, regular leisure, a domestic holiday each year and an overseas trip every few years.
For context, ASFA’s modest benchmark — covering just the essentials — is far lower: about $110,000 for a single person and $120,000 for a couple at 67. And despite what many Australians believe, you don’t need $1 million to retire comfortably.
So how do you get to $630,000 by 67? The checkpoints along the way matter more than the final number.
How much super should I have at 30?
At 30, your super is still young — but time is your biggest asset. Super industry on-track estimates suggest a single person should be aiming for roughly $55,000 to $75,000 by age 30 to stay on track for a comfortable retirement, with one widely used on-track model putting the target at around $66,500.
How does that compare to what Australians actually have? According to ATO data, the average super balance for the 30–34 age group sits around $53,154 for men and $44,053 for women — but the median is only $38,525. That means half of Australians in their early 30s have less than that, largely because averages are pulled up by a small number of very high balances.
If you’re behind at 30, don’t panic. A 30-year-old with just $30,000 in super earning $80,000 throughout their career is still on track to retire with around $645,000, according to ASFA modelling — thanks to decades of compounding and the now 12% super guarantee. Small extra contributions in your 30s compound hardest, so this is the cheapest decade to make up ground.
How much super should I have at 40?
By 40, on-track benchmarks suggest a single person should have around $168,000 to $178,000 to remain on course for a comfortable retirement at 67.
The actual picture is more sobering. ATO Taxation Statistics show the average balance for Australians aged 40–44 is approximately $134,054, with a median of roughly $100,330. In other words, the typical 40-year-old is tens of thousands of dollars below the on-track benchmark.
The good news: your 40s are typically peak earning years, and you still have nearly three decades of compounding ahead. The concessional contributions cap of $30,000 a year (for 2025–26) gives you plenty of room to salary sacrifice extra into super — model the saving first with a salary sacrifice calculator.
How much super should I have at 50?
At 50, the compounding window is narrowing — but earning power is usually at its highest, which makes catch-up contributions genuinely effective. On-track estimates suggest around $296,000 to $313,500 by age 50 for a comfortable retirement.
ATO data shows the average balance for 50–54-year-olds is approximately $239,000, with a median of about $161,000. The gap between the median and the on-track target is at its widest here — the typical 50-year-old has roughly half of what the benchmarks suggest.
With the mortgage often easing and kids becoming independent, many people in their 50s can afford to maximise both concessional and non-concessional contributions. If your balance is well short of the target, review your investment option too — being too conservative this far out can cost more than market wobbles.
On-track super targets at every age
Here’s a consolidated view of on-track targets by age, based on super industry modelling for a single homeowner aiming for a comfortable retirement at 67:
| Age | On-track target (single) | What’s happening in your life |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $26,000 | Early career, compounding just getting started |
| 30 | $66,500 | Career taking shape; small extras compound hardest |
| 35 | $111,500 | Common decade for career breaks and family costs |
| 40 | $168,000 | Peak earning years beginning; compounding accelerates |
| 45 | $226,000 | Long-run returns now outweigh contributions |
| 50 | $296,000 | Catch-up decade; maximise contributions |
| 55 | $377,000 | Transition-to-retirement strategies open up |
| 60 | $469,000 | Fine-tuning investment mix and drawdown plans |
| 65 | $571,000 | Final stretch toward the $630,000 benchmark |
| 67 | $630,000 | ASFA comfortable benchmark for singles |
Remember these are modelled targets, not pass-or-fail grades. Plenty of Australians retire well on less — especially homeowners who qualify for a part Age Pension.
Average vs target: how do Australians actually compare?
Benchmarks only matter if you know where you stand against real people. Here’s how average and median balances (ATO data) stack up against the on-track targets:
| Age group | Average balance (men) | Average balance (women) | On-track target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–34 | $42,100 | $34,500 | ~$66,500 at 30 |
| 35–44 | $107,700 | $76,900 | ~$168,000 at 40 |
| 45–54 | $219,300 | $136,000 | ~$296,000 at 50 |
| 55–64 | $326,200 | $246,300 | ~$469,000 at 60 |
| 60–64 | $413,700 | $327,400 | ~$630,000 at 67 |
Two things stand out. First, average balances at every age band sit below the on-track targets. Second, the gender super gap is stark: women approaching retirement hold about $86,300 less than men on average, driven by career breaks, part-time work and the gender pay gap — though the gap is narrowing for younger women, helped by super now being paid on government parental leave.
And remember: medians tell a truer story than averages. For 65–69-year-olds, the median is $217,954 for men and $199,006 for women — roughly half the average figures, because a small number of very large balances skew the mean upward.
The 10x salary rule of thumb
If lump sums feel abstract, try the popular salary-based rule: aim to have 10 times your annual salary saved by age 67, with checkpoints along the way. It’s a simple personalised benchmark that scales to your income:
| Age | Target (multiple of salary) | Example on $90,000 salary |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1x | $90,000 |
| 35 | 2x | $180,000 |
| 40 | 3x | $270,000 |
| 45 | 4x | $360,000 |
| 50 | 6x | $540,000 |
| 55 | 7x | $630,000 |
| 60 | 8x | $720,000 |
| 67 | 10x | $900,000 |
This rule is more demanding than the ASFA benchmark for higher earners, because it aims to replace more of your pre-retirement income. Pick whichever benchmark fits your goals and check against it regularly.
What does the 12% super guarantee actually give you?
Since 1 July 2025, employers must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings into super — the final step in a decade-long rise from 9.5%, and no further increases are legislated.
Here’s what that looks like in dollars:
| Annual salary (OTE) | Employer SG per year | SG over 5 years* |
|---|---|---|
| $70,000 | $8,400 | $42,000 |
| $90,000 | $10,800 | $54,000 |
| $110,000 | $13,200 | $66,000 |
| $130,000 | $15,600 | $78,000 |
*Before investment returns. SG is calculated on ordinary time earnings — overtime is generally excluded.
That extra 0.5 percentage point from 11.5% to 12% might sound trivial, but for someone earning $100,000 it adds $500 a year. Compounded over a 40-year career, that half-percent alone could grow into roughly $100,000 of extra retirement savings. Small changes, decades of compounding — that’s the engine of super.
With Payday Super now requiring employers to pay super within seven business days of each payday (from 1 July 2026), your money starts compounding sooner instead of sitting with your employer for up to three months each quarter.
Behind on your targets? 5 ways to catch up
If the tables above show you’re short, you’re in good company — most Australians are. Here are the highest-impact moves:
1. Salary sacrifice within the $30,000 cap
Directing part of your pre-tax salary into super is the most tax-effective catch-up lever. Contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate (plus Medicare levy), and you can contribute up to $30,000 a year in concessional contributions in 2025–26 — including your employer’s SG. Model the saving with a salary sacrifice calculator before you commit.
2. Use carry-forward concessional contributions
If your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June last year, you can use unused concessional cap amounts from the previous five years. This is perfect for a one-off catch-up in a high-income year.
3. Make spouse contributions
If your partner earns under $40,000, contributing to their super can earn you a tax offset of up to $540 — and directly narrow the gender super gap within a household.
4. Consolidate and check fees
Multiple accounts mean multiple sets of fees quietly eating your balance. Consolidating into one fund is free and can save thousands over a lifetime — and while you’re at it, compare your fund’s fees and long-term performance.
5. Review your investment option
If you’re under 50 and sitting in a conservative default option, you may be trading away decades of growth for short-term comfort. A growth-oriented option is generally more appropriate the further you are from retirement — just make sure it matches your risk tolerance.
Frequently asked questions
Is $200,000 in super enough at 40?
You’re ahead of most Australians — the median for 40–44-year-olds is around $100,000 — and you’re on or near the on-track benchmarks of roughly $168,000–$178,000. Keep contributing and let compounding do the work, and you’re well placed for a comfortable retirement.
What is the average super balance for a 50-year-old in Australia?
ATO data shows the average balance for 50–54-year-olds is approximately $239,000, while the median is about $161,000. Both sit below the on-track target of roughly $296,000–$313,500, so the typical 50-year-old has some catching up to do.
Can I still catch up on super at 50?
Yes. Your 50s are often peak earning years, giving you the most capacity to make extra contributions. Salary sacrifice within the $30,000 concessional cap, carry-forward rules, and reviewing your investment option can all make a significant difference over the 15+ years before retirement.
How much super do I need to retire comfortably at 67?
According to the ASFA Retirement Standard, a homeowner needs about $630,000 as a single person or $730,000 as a couple, plus a part Age Pension, to fund a comfortable retirement. For a modest retirement, the figures are much lower: around $110,000 for singles and $120,000 for couples.
Does the super guarantee apply to all my earnings?
SG at 12% applies to your ordinary time earnings — base salary, shift loadings, commissions and most allowances. Overtime is generally excluded. There is no minimum earnings threshold, so even small amounts of pay attract super.
Should I compare myself to the average or the median balance?
The median is the better comparison point. Averages are skewed upward by a small number of very large balances — for example, the average balance for 60–64-year-old men is $413,700, but the median is only about $236,000. If you’re near the median, you’re doing as well as half of all Australians your age.
Check where you stand in minutes
The honest truth: most Australians are behind the comfortable benchmarks, and that’s okay — the benchmarks exist so you can see the gap and act on it while there’s still time.
Use our free super calculator to project your balance at retirement, test what extra contributions could add, and see whether you’re on track. It takes less than a minute — and your future self will thank you.