"How much super should I have?" depends on your age, income and goals. Benchmarks are a useful gut-check, but your own projection matters more.
Rough balance benchmarks by age
As a guide, many Australians aim for roughly 1× salary by 30, 2–3× by 40, and 4–6× by 50. These are directional, not rules.
The power of starting early
A 30-year-old with $40,000 and an $80,000 salary, on employer SG only at 7%, projects to about $1,411,241 in today's dollars by 67. Small extra contributions early beat large ones late, thanks to compounding.
Frequently asked questions
How much super should I have at 40?
A common rule of thumb is 2–3 times your annual salary by age 40, but your target depends on your retirement goals — run a projection for a personalised figure.
Is the average super balance enough?
Average balances often fall short of a "comfortable" retirement. Extra concessional contributions and the 12% SG help close the gap.