Why planning your super separately could cost you thousands as a couple
2025 | 2min read
If you're married or in a relationship, but still manage your super like two separate accounts, you're not alone.
Senior couple hugging smiling
Research shows that only 53%1 of Australians talk to their partner when making household financial decisions - including super. Even though you share your life together, many couples overlook how planning super separately can prevent extra savings going into their combined retirement income.
The hidden costs of going solo
When you manage super without checking in with your partner, costly blind spots can appear. One partner could be in a high-growth investment option, while the other has their super in a safe but low earning cash option. This type of scenario creates an unbalanced investment approach where the high growth option is blunted by the low earning cash option.
1. Spouse contributions
You might miss out on spouse contributions.2 This strategy allows higher earners to contribute up to $3,000 annually to a lower-earning partner's super, and claim a tax offset of up to $540.3 That's free money left on the table.
2. Transfer balance caps
If your super balance grows much faster than your partner’s, you could end up breaching the $2 million transfer balance cap, while your partner’s cap remains under-utilised.
3. Insurance
Another common scenario with couples is where you might be paying for more cover than you need, while your partner doesn’t have enough to protect your shared financial goals. It’s also common for insurance cover inside super to go unchecked.
4. Take control together
Planning as a team doesn't have to be complicated. Start by reviewing your super balances and investment options together at least once a year. Consider whether contribution splitting or spouse contributions could boost your combined outcome. Align your retirement goals - when do you each want to stop working? What lifestyle do you want to fund?
Most importantly, seek professional advice together - either through your super fund,4 or with a qualified financial planner for a fee.[AD1] A planner who understands your complete picture can identify strategies you might never spot individually.
When you plan your super as a team, you're investing in your future together - and protecting what you’ve worked so hard for.
Your next step - join our 'Planning for Retirement as a Couple' webinar
Ready to plan your retirement together?
Join our 'Planning for Retirement as a Couple' webinar on Thursday 11 December.
Presented by author Bec Wilson, and Aware Super General Manager of Advice, Peter Hogg. You get practical guidance, real-world strategies, and the chance to ask questions in a supportive environment.
1 Source: Aware Super Retirement Study 2025
2 Before contributing, consider the relevant superannuation thresholds including the current annual limit for all before-tax contributions and after-tax contributions. Exceeding any of these thresholds, may reduce any tax benefits you could receive. Visit aware.com.au/grow
3 For more details on spouse contributions, visit https://aware.com.au/member/super/grow-your-super/spouse-contributions
4 Aware Super members can get advice about their Aware Super accounts at no extra cost, or advice Advice provided by Aware Financial Services Australia Limited on their broader needs for a fee.
[AD1] Advice provided by Aware Financial Services Australia Limited (ABN 86 003 742 756, AFSL 238430), wholly owned by Aware Super.
The information contained in this article is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. No warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information is given and no responsibility is accepted by Aware Super Pty Ltd or its employees for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information provided.