Super gap starts to widen from 35, opening a $58,000 gulf close to retirement
18 August 2026
Deanne Stewart at Aware Super office
New Aware Super member data shows the gender super gap widens sharply through the years many women are building wealth and preparing for retirement, opening a $58,000 gulf in retirement savings.
As Australia marks Equal Pay Day this August, analysis of Aware Super member balances highlights how differences in pay, caring responsibilities and time out of the workforce can flow through to retirement savings.
Aware Super's data shows younger women have slightly higher median super balances than men in the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups, but the pattern reverses from age 35 as the effects of pay differences, career breaks and caring responsibilities start to show.
The gap peaks among members aged 45-59, where women have a median balance of $181,935, compared with $240,060 for men - a difference of more than $58,000.
The gap is most pronounced in the years approaching retirement, when the impact of lower earnings, career breaks and part-time work has had decades to compound.
| Age group | Male median | Female median | Dollar difference | Gap % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | $4,861 | $5,090 | -$228 | -4.5% |
| 25-34 | $36,508 | $43,634 | -$7,126 | -16.3% |
| 35-44 | $129,828 | $111,414 |
$18,414 | 16.5% |
45-59 |
$240,060 | $181,935 | $58,124 | 31.9% |
*see notes below
Deanne Stewart, CEO of Aware Super, said Equal Pay Day is a reminder that the pay gap can become a retirement gap over time, leaving women worse off in retirement.
"The gender pay gap doesn't disappear at retirement. It can follow women through lower super balances and reduced financial security."
Recent Government reforms are helping narrow the gap. Eligible parents now receive super on government-funded Paid Parental Leave, while Payday Super, which started on 1 July, ensures Super Guarantee contributions are paid alongside wages. Together, these changes will help more women keep their retirement savings on track and growing for longer.
"The Aware Super data shows why Equal Pay Day matters beyond take-home pay,” said Ms Stewart.
“Lower earnings, unpaid caring responsibilities and time out of the workforce can compound over decades and leave women with less super when they need it most.
"It also shows why recent reforms such as super on government Paid Parental Leave and Payday Super are important. They help reduce missed or delayed contributions and give more women the chance to keep building retirement savings throughout their working lives."
Small actions can have a long-term impact
While structural reforms remain critical to addressing the retirement savings gap for women, there are also practical steps that can help improve retirement outcomes over time for all members.
This includes:
Check for multiple super accounts and consolidate where appropriate
Review insurance cover after major life events
Understand any entitlements to super on government Paid Parental Leave
Consider making additional voluntary contributions when possible
Use retirement planning tools to understand future retirement outcomes
Speak to their super fund for help if they’re unsure about options
*About the data
Aware Super data as at 21/07/26. Data is illustrative only and may not be representative of wider industry trends.
The dollar difference shows the gap between male and female median super balances in each age group. A positive figure means the male median balance is higher; a negative figure means the female median balance is higher for that age group. Percentages show the gap relative to the female median balance.