How Much Super Should I Have At My Age? And How To Stay On Track

Today we explore the question of how to know if you’re on track for a secure retirement. We unpack strategies to ensure you’re prepared for different stages of life, what to do if you’re not on track, and how to navigate the uncertainties of retirement planning.
In today’s episode we cover:
- The great unknown: how much we’ll need in retirement
- How do you know if you’re on track?
- What you can do if you’re not on track
- Where you should be at different decades in your life
Resources discussed:
MoneySmart Superannuation Calculator (moneysmart.gov.au/how-super-w...)
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Thank you to Vanguard Super(www.vanguard.com.au/super/?cm...) for sponsoring this episode.
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This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes. Any advice is general advice only, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances, needs or objectives. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. And if you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional.
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[@lukelehmann6629]

I'm surprised you didn't mention roll-over concessional contributions given this can represent tens of thousands of dollars of additional concessional contributions for most Aussies. Especially useful if you've had a sudden pay increase or windfall - can make a very large concessional contribution and have a very large tax return. Loved the breakdown, keep up the good work.

[@user-hj2ut4se5q]

The general rule of 66-80% of pre-retirement income comes from not having to pay income tax on drawdowns from a tax free pension account. So I guess a "better" metric would be 100 minus your pre-retirement effective tax rate plus medicare levy. This theoretically results in no change to your income.

[@user-lp9dv3dw1h]

In addition to splitting super contributions between partners when one isn't working for whatever reason, if you can stretch to it then there is also spousal contributions.

[@chrisw6866]

The super stats are actually skewed low. For example a lot of self employed tradies don’t contribute, a lot of people in industries like hospitality are often paid cash, working women turned stay at home mums. Ditto for all the people who pulled cash out in covid. Sorry the average for super is useless info.

[@Jim-Greek]

Great show lads SG tops out to 12% in 2025-2026

[@MasterCamus]

It would be good to discuss how much is too much on super insurances

[@branaginslaw]

My issue with income insurance etx is it sucks out the profit fro you super gains. i cancelled all of mine 2018 and its been on a good uptick since then. Super insurance policies are a complete scam.

[@swolath]

no 12.5%

[@matthewthurn]

You should have 0 super. Your loving caring representatives will eventually steal it in the next crash.

[@dave9547]

Exactly.

[@MFRANKRR92]

Ooorrr... You can just not use a representative and do any of these newer super options like stockpot or stake where you have an easily done SMSF where you actually own the assets directly in your own name and not pooled with others.

[@matthewthurn]

Agreed, until they tax super at 50%

[@matthewthurn]

I just don’t trust our politicians. You are right. Share, bond, land certificates and precious metals must have your name on it. They are disgraceful pricks for taxing super.