Contributions vs growth
How much of your final balance comes from saving vs compounding.
Home / Australia Calculators / Superannuation
Super & Retirement
Australia Superannuation Calculator
Project your super balance at retirement from your age, salary, current balance and the 12% Super Guarantee, plus your estimated monthly income in retirement.
Projected balance at retirement
$1,752,166
Employer SG contribution—
Total contributions—
Investment growth—
Years to retirement—
Est. monthly income (4% rule)—
How superannuation projections work
Superannuation ("super") is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Your employer must pay the Super Guarantee (SG), currently 12% of your ordinary time earnings, into your super fund, where it compounds with investment returns until you retire. Adding your own voluntary contributions on top grows your balance further, and more time in the fund means more of the final balance comes from investment growth rather than contributions.
The formula
employer SG contribution = annual salary × 12% ÷ 12 (monthly)
future balance = balance × (1 + r)ⁿ + monthly contribution × [((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) ÷ r]
(r = monthly return, n = months to retirement)
monthly retirement income ≈ balance × 4% ÷ 12
future balance = balance × (1 + r)ⁿ + monthly contribution × [((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) ÷ r]
(r = monthly return, n = months to retirement)
monthly retirement income ≈ balance × 4% ÷ 12
Worked example
At 35 with a $50,000 balance and a $90,000 salary, the 12% Super Guarantee adds $900 a month. Growing at 7% until retirement at 67 (32 years), the balance reaches roughly $1.75 million, about $396,000 from contributions and $1.36 million from investment growth. At a 4% drawdown, that's around $5,840 a month in retirement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Super Guarantee rate?
12% of ordinary time earnings, the final step of a legislated increase reached 1 July 2025.
How much super do I need?
It depends on your goals; more time, higher contributions and steady growth all help.
What is the concessional cap?
$30,000 a year as of 2024-25, covering SG plus salary-sacrificed contributions, indexed periodically.
When can I access my super?
Generally from your preservation age (60 for those born after 30 June 1964) once retired, or at 65.
Does this include the Age Pension?
No, this is your own super balance only, a separate means-tested payment.