- Super guarantee: 12%
- 15% contributions tax applied
- Compound growth projection
Projected balance at age 67
- 1.6% Starting balance $30,000
- 18.5% Contributions (after tax) $339,660
- 79.9% Investment growth $1,468,946
- Total contributions (before tax)
- $399,600
- Contributions tax (15%)
- −$59,940
How this is calculated
Each year, your projected balance grows by your expected investment return, then that year's concessional contributions are added: your employer's 12% super guarantee plus any salary sacrifice, less the 15% contributions tax charged inside the fund.
Compounding does the heavy lifting: returns earned on a larger balance each year are why starting early matters so much.
A worked example
On a $90,000 salary, the 12% super guarantee is $10,800 a year. After the 15% contributions tax, about $9,180 is actually invested, and left to compound at a typical balanced return over 25–30 years, those annual contributions grow into a balance many times larger than the sum you put in. Salary sacrifice adds to the concessional total (subject to the yearly cap) and is taxed at the same 15% going in.
Who this is for
Anyone wanting a feel for where their super is heading and which levers move it most: extra contributions, retirement age, or expected return. Remember the projection is in future (nominal) dollars, not today's. For how to judge whether you're on track, read how much super you should have by age.
Assumptions & important notes
- This is a simplified projection for general guidance, not personal financial advice.
- Employer super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2025. Concessional contributions (employer + salary sacrifice) are taxed at 15% inside the fund.
- Assumptions: salary, contribution rates and the expected return are held constant each year; the return is nominal and net of fees; figures are NOT adjusted for inflation (future dollars).
- The concessional contributions cap ($32,500 from 1 July 2026) is NOT enforced by this tool. If your employer + salary-sacrifice contributions exceed the cap, extra tax applies; check the ATO.
- The default 7% return is an illustrative assumption, not a guarantee. Actual returns vary and can be negative in some years.
Official sources
Disclaimer: This superannuation projection is general information only and not personal financial advice. It relies on assumptions that may not reflect your circumstances or actual investment returns. Consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser.
Frequently asked questions
How much super will I have when I retire? +
Enter your age, planned retirement age, current balance, salary and expected return. The calculator projects your balance year by year, adding your employer's 12% super guarantee plus any salary sacrifice (after the 15% contributions tax) and compounding the expected investment return.
How much super does my employer pay? +
The super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings from 1 July 2025, paid on top of your salary into your super fund. You can adjust the rate if your arrangement differs.
How is super taxed? +
Concessional (before-tax) contributions (your employer's super guarantee and any salary sacrifice) are generally taxed at 15% when they enter your fund. Investment earnings inside super are also concessionally taxed. This tool applies the 15% contributions tax; confirm your situation with the ATO.
Is the projected balance in today's dollars? +
No. The figure is nominal (future dollars, not adjusted for inflation), so its real purchasing power will be lower. Treat it as a guide, not a promise.
What return should I assume? +
The default 7% is illustrative for a typical balanced/growth option net of fees. Returns vary year to year and can be negative. Try a range of returns to see how sensitive your outcome is.
Are these figures exact? +
No, this is a simplified projection for general guidance, not personal financial advice. It holds salary and rates constant and does not enforce the concessional contributions cap. For advice specific to you, speak to a licensed financial adviser.