1Source: APRA quarterly statistics (table7): Quarterly Superannuation Industry publication | APRA
The average super balance by age bracket1 is:
| Age bracket | Average super balance female | Average super balance male |
|---|---|---|
| 45-59 years of age | $121,200 | $155,800 |
| 50-54 years of age | $150,847 | $196,157 |
Keep in mind it's important to recognise that your individual circumstances, such as income levels and retirement expectations, may vary.
A little extra can make a big difference to your super
Making small changes now can make a big difference to your super balance in the future. Whether you can add $5 or $500, every bit counts to building a better retirement.
Case study 1
Concessional contributions
Jacob is 42, earns $117,000 per year and has $145,000 in super. He adds $100 per fortnight through salary sacrificing until he’s 67. With these extra contributions, Jacob retires with $76,000 more in super and saves $442 in tax in the first year.
- Retirement balances are rounded to the nearest $1,000 and are stated in today's dollars, deflated using Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) at 3.7% p.a.
- Salary Sacrifice contributions are assumed to be made monthly, are increased in line with annual salary increases of 3.7% p.a. and assumes concessional contribution caps are indexed in line with AWOTE.
- Based on average Aware Super male member aged 42 and planning to retire at age 67.
- Based on SG of 12%. Based on current legislated tax rates as at 1 July 2025, and incorporating future legislated tax changes up to financial year 2027/28.
- Asset-based fee is assumed to be 0.15% p.a., capped at a maximum of $750 p.a. Fee cap is indexed in line with AWOTE of 3.7% p.a.
- Fixed fee is assumed to be $52 p.a., increasing in line with assumed wage inflation of 3.7% p.a.
- Investment returns are based on the Aware Super MySuper Life Cycle option, assumed to be CPI + 4% until age 55, reducing from CPI + 4% to CPI + 2.75% between the ages 55-65 (inclusive) and CPI + 2.75% from age 65 onwards.
- CPI is assumed to be 2.5% p.a.
- Investment returns are assumed to be net of tax.
- Insurance premiums are based on typical values for a medium risk member.
- Projection does not allow for any Low-Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) or Government Co-Contribution amounts.
- This example is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to provide a guarantee on outcome. It is a broad illustration of the steps a member could take, but the actions appropriate for an individual will vary depending on their personal circumstances. The case study is based on current regulatory requirements and laws, including tax rates, which may be subject to change. Investment return assumptions are for illustrative purposes only and for simplicity assume an average rate of return each year throughout the investment period. Actual returns year on year may vary materially and can be negative as well. If investment returns/inflation are higher/lower, final balances will differ. Consider if this is right for you and read our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a decision about Aware. Calculations updated July 2025.
Case study 2
Non-concessional contributions
45-year-old Mary earns $92,000 a year. By topping her super up by an extra $3,000, she’ll have an extra $5,000 in her super account at retirement.
- Retirement balances are rounded to the nearest $1,000.
- Numbers are presented in today's dollars discounted by 3.5% (assumed AWOTE).
- Based on average Aware Super female member age 45 and planning to retire at age 67.
- Based on SG of 11.5% for 2024/25. This will increase to 12% on 1 July 2025 (where it will remain at 12%).
- Based on 2024/25 income tax rates.
- Investment returns are based on the Aware Super MySuper Life Cycle option, assumed to be CPI + 4% until age 55, reducing from CPI + 4% to CPI + 2.75% between the ages 55-65 (inclusive) and CPI + 2.75% from age 65 onwards.
- CPI is assumed to be 2.5% p.a.
- Insurance premium is assumed to be the median for members with default insurance arrangements, indexed with AWOTE of 3.5% p.a.
- This example is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to provide a forecast or guarantee on outcome. It is a broad illustration of the steps a member could take, but the actions appropriate for an individual will vary depending on their personal circumstances.
- The case study is based on current regulatory requirements and laws, including tax rates, which may be subject to change. Investment return assumptions are for illustrative purposes only and for simplicity assume an CPI plus investment objectives as the return each year throughout the investment period. Actual returns year on year may vary materially and could be negative. If investment returns/inflation are higher/lower, final balances will differ.
Grow your super
It’s never too early or too late to boost your super balance. Even a small contribution now, can make a big difference for your tomorrow.[S1]
There are two types of voluntary contributions you can make to boost your balance.
- Concessional contributions
- Non-concessional contributions
A concessional contribution is a before tax contribution that goes direct to your super account, like the super you get paid by your employer, or if you salary sacrifice.
These contributions are capped at $30,000 per year and you only pay 15% tax on investment earnings, instead of up to 47%, depending on your salary. [S2]
To set up salary sacrifice, simply send your employer an email, or complete and hand them a salary sacrifice form.
Make a concessional contribution
To make a before tax contribution:
- Send your employer an email
- Complete and hand them a salary sacrifice form
Non-concessional contributions are contributions you can make from your take-home pay. This is an after-tax contribution, because your employer has already taken out the tax you need to pay on your income. This type of contribution is capped at $120,000 a year. You can also claim a tax deduction on these contributions.[S1]
If you’d like some support on this, our team can answer questions about your account at no extra cost[AD2] over the phone or on a video call.
Make a non-concessional contribution
To make an after-tax contribution, you can use:
- Direct debit
- BPAY®
- The Aware Super app
Add to your super:
Log into Member Online
Download the app
®Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd (ABN 69 079 137 518)
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