Finance Calc App

Superannuation calculator

See how your superannuation could grow with the 11.5% employer guarantee plus any salary-sacrifice top-ups, projected to retirement.

By Mitch Duncan Last reviewed Methodology

Your superannuation details

Employers must pay the Super Guarantee — 11.5% in 2024–25, rising to 12% from July 2025 — on top of your salary. You can add voluntary (salary-sacrifice) contributions up to the $30,000 concessional cap, taxed at just 15%.

Projected balance at retirement (in 30 years)
$689,088.76
Your contribution / year
$0.00
Employer contribution / year
$6,900.00
How the projection breaks down
Combined contributions / year
$6,900.00
Total paid in over 30 years
$232,000.00
Investment growth
$457,088.76

Assumes a constant salary, contribution rate, and 6.0% average annual return. Real returns vary; figures are before inflation and fees.

Want the full picture? How to Plan for Retirement →

How superannuation works

Superannuation ("super") is Australia's compulsory retirement system. Your employer must pay the Super Guarantee (SG) — 11.5% of your ordinary earnings in 2024–25, rising to 12% from July 2025 — into your super fund on top of your salary. It grows in a low-tax environment until you reach preservation age.

Boosting super with salary sacrifice

You can add voluntary (salary-sacrifice) contributions on top of the employer guarantee. These are taxed at just 15% going in — usually far below your marginal income tax rate — making super one of the most tax-effective ways to build wealth. The concessional cap is $30,000 a year (including the employer SG), with catch-up rules for unused cap.

Fees and fund choice matter

Because super compounds over decades, even small differences in fees and investment option (e.g. "balanced" vs. "growth") have a large impact on your final balance. Most funds let you choose your investment mix and consolidate multiple accounts to avoid duplicate fees.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an employer match and why does it matter?
An employer match is money your employer adds to your pension or retirement account based on what you contribute — often 50% to 100% of your contributions up to a set percentage of your salary. It's effectively part of your pay, and an instant, guaranteed return that no investment can reliably beat. Contributing at least enough to capture the full match is the single most valuable thing most people can do for their retirement.
How much of my salary should I put into my pension?
A common guideline is 10–15% of gross pay including any employer contribution, but the right number depends on your age, when you started, and your target retirement income. The minimum first step is to contribute enough to get the full employer match. After that, increasing your rate by even 1–2% a year — for example when you get a pay rise — makes a large difference over a career thanks to compounding.
Why does starting early matter so much?
Because returns compound, money invested early does far more work than the same amount invested later. A contribution made 30 years before retirement can grow several times over, while the same contribution made 10 years out grows much less. This is why financial planners stress getting started — even with small amounts — rather than waiting until you can afford to contribute more.
How is the projected balance calculated?
The calculator compounds your current balance plus your combined annual contributions (yours plus your employer's) at your assumed annual return until retirement. The formula is: final balance = current balance × (1+r)^n + annual contribution × ((1+r)^n − 1) / r, where r is the annual return and n is the number of years.
What return rate should I assume?
Long-run real (after-inflation) returns have historically been around 5–7% for stock-heavy portfolios, lower for more conservative mixes. Past performance isn't a guarantee. Many people project with 5–7% nominal and also run a more pessimistic case to stress-test the plan. Remember the projection is before fees and inflation, so the real purchasing power of the final figure will be lower.
What happens to my pension if I change jobs?
Your own contributions are always yours. Employer contributions may be subject to a vesting period, so check whether you'd forfeit any unvested amount by leaving early. When you move jobs, it's usually best to transfer or consolidate the balance rather than cash it out — cashing out early often triggers tax and penalties and loses years of compound growth.

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