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Superannuation Calculator

Project your super balance at retirement using the current 12% SGC rate (FY 2025–26), 15% contributions tax, and compound growth.

Your Details

Your situation

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Contributions

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Returns & fees

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Results

Projected Balance at Age 67

$1,870,226

37 years of compound growth

Starting balance 3%Contributions 18%Growth 79%
Starting balance$50,000
Years to retirement37 yrs
Total contributions (after 15% tax)$339,660
Total investment growth$1,480,566
Total fees deducted− $112,975
Projected balance$1,870,226

SGC 12% from 1 July 2025. Concessional cap $30,000/yr (employer + salary sacrifice). Contributions taxed at 15%. Enter gross return — the fee field handles the fund cost separately.

Assumes constant salary, employer rate and investment return for the full projection period. Does not account for insurance premiums, super fund switching, or CPI inflation on spending needs.

📅 SGC rate: 12% (FY 2025–26, from 1 July 2025 — final scheduled rate) · Concessional cap: $30,000/yr · Source: ATO Super

How this superannuation calculator works

Each year the calculator adds your employer SGC contributions plus any salary sacrifice, caps the combined total at the $30,000 concessional limit, and deducts 15% contributions tax before crediting your account. Investment growth is calculated on a mid-year basis — contributions are assumed to arrive evenly throughout the year — and your nominated annual fund fee is deducted from the balance. This gives a more realistic projection than simply growing the opening balance and adding contributions at year-end.

The gross return field is the investment return before fund fees. The annual fund fee field is then subtracted separately, so you can compare what different fee levels cost you over time. For a typical balanced Australian super fund, a gross return of 7–8% and a fee of 0.5–1% per year is a reasonable starting point.

Frequently asked questions — superannuation 2026

What is the superannuation guarantee (SGC) rate in 2026?

The Superannuation Guarantee (SGC) rate is 12% for FY 2025–26 (from 1 July 2025). This is the final scheduled rate under the legislated increase schedule — it will not increase further beyond 12%. Employers are legally required to contribute this percentage of your ordinary time earnings into your chosen super fund.

How much tax is paid on superannuation contributions?

Concessional (before-tax) contributions — including employer SGC contributions and salary sacrifice — are taxed at 15% within the fund. This is called contributions tax. For high-income earners above $250,000, an additional 15% Division 293 tax applies, bringing the effective rate to 30%. Non-concessional (after-tax) contributions attract no additional tax within the fund.

What is the concessional contributions cap for 2025–26 and 2026–27?

The concessional contributions cap for FY 2025–26 is $30,000 per year. From 1 July 2026 (FY 2026–27), the cap increases to $32,500 per year. This includes your employer's SGC contributions plus any salary sacrifice. Exceeding the cap means the excess is included in your assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate, with a 15% tax offset for contributions tax already paid in the fund. Unused cap amounts from the previous five years may be carried forward if your total super balance is under $500,000.

How much super should I have at my age?

Industry benchmarks suggest: age 30 ≈ $50,000–$75,000; age 40 ≈ $130,000–$190,000; age 50 ≈ $270,000–$400,000; age 60 ≈ $400,000–$530,000. ASFA's Retirement Standard indicates a comfortable retirement for a single person requires approximately $595,000–$640,000 at retirement (couple $690,000+). These are guides only — your actual target depends on your expected retirement spending and lifestyle.

How is superannuation investment return taxed?

Investment returns in the accumulation phase (before retirement) are taxed at 15% within the fund. Capital gains on assets held more than 12 months are taxed at 10% (a one-third discount applies). In the retirement phase (pension account), earnings are generally tax-free. When entering your expected gross return rate in the calculator, add your fund fee separately — the calculator deducts fees from the balance each year to give you an accurate net projection.

What is salary sacrifice into super?

Salary sacrifice is an arrangement where you ask your employer to direct a portion of your before-tax salary into your super fund instead of paying it as wages. The amount sacrificed is taxed at 15% contributions tax rather than your marginal income tax rate — a significant advantage for anyone in the 30%, 37% or 45% tax bracket. Salary sacrifice counts toward the concessional cap ($30,000 for 2025–26; $32,500 from 1 July 2026) alongside your employer's SGC contributions.

What are superannuation fund fees and why do they matter?

Super fund fees are typically charged as a percentage of your balance (e.g. 0.5–1% per year) plus a flat dollar administration fee. Fees compound against you over time just as growth compounds in your favour. A difference of 0.5% per year in fees can reduce your final balance by tens of thousands of dollars over a 30-year career. Industry (profit-to-member) super funds generally charge lower fees than retail funds.

Can I access my superannuation early?

Generally, superannuation cannot be accessed until you reach your preservation age and meet a condition of release. For anyone born after 30 June 1964 — which covers virtually all working Australians today — the preservation age is 60. Full access without restriction is available from age 65. Limited early release is available in specific circumstances including terminal illness, severe financial hardship, and compassionate grounds.

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