Superannuation Calculator
Project your super balance at retirement. Enter your balance, salary, age and employer contribution rate to estimate your superannuation with the formula shown.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the formula & steps
How the Superannuation Calculator Works
This tool projects how much superannuation you could have at retirement. Enter your current balance, annual salary, current age, retirement age, your employer’s Super Guarantee (SG) rate and an expected net return. It compounds your savings year by year and shows the projected balance, total contributions and investment growth.
The Formula
Super grows through two effects each year: investment returns on the existing balance, plus new employer contributions. The calculator applies this loop once per year:
Balance = Balance × (1 + net return) + (salary × SG rate)
This is repeated for every year from your current age to your retirement age. Investment growth is simply the final balance minus everything you and your employer put in.
Worked Example
Suppose you are 35, plan to retire at 67, have $50,000 in super, earn $90,000, your employer pays 12%, and you expect a 6% net return:
- Years to retirement = 67 − 35 = 32 years
- Annual contribution = $90,000 × 12% = $10,800
- Each year the balance earns 6%, then $10,800 is added
- After 32 years the projected balance is roughly $1.27 million
The bulk of that total comes from compounding, not from the contributions themselves, which is why starting early matters so much.
Why the Contribution Rate Matters
A small change in the SG rate or your voluntary contributions has a large long-term effect because every extra dollar compounds for decades. The table below shows how an extra 2% of a $90,000 salary changes the outcome over 32 years at a 6% return.
| Total contribution rate | Annual contribution | Approx. balance at 67 |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $9,000 | ≈ $1.09 million |
| 12% | $10,800 | ≈ $1.27 million |
| 14% | $12,600 | ≈ $1.45 million |
Tips for Using the Results
- Set a real return (around 3-4%) to read the result in today’s purchasing power.
- Re-run it whenever you get a pay rise or change your contribution.
- Remember the projection ignores caps, fees over time and tax on withdrawals, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How is superannuation calculated at retirement?+
Your balance grows each year by the net investment return, then the employer contribution (salary multiplied by the Super Guarantee rate) is added. Repeating this for every year until your chosen retirement age gives the projected balance. The calculator compounds these steps automatically.
What is the Super Guarantee (SG) rate?+
The Super Guarantee is the percentage of your salary an Australian employer must pay into your super fund. It rose in steps to 12% from 1 July 2025. You can change the rate in the calculator to model salary sacrifice or different contribution levels.
Does this calculator account for inflation?+
Only if you ask it to. Enter a real (after-inflation) return such as 3-4% to see your balance in today's dollars, or a nominal return such as 6-7% to see the future-dollar figure. The tool uses whichever net return you provide.
What net return should I use?+
Use the return after investment fees and tax. A balanced super option has historically returned around 6-7% per year before inflation, but past performance does not guarantee future results. Conservative options return less; growth options more with higher volatility.
Is this superannuation calculator financial advice?+
No. It is a simple projection for education only and ignores contribution caps, insurance premiums, fees changing over time and government co-contributions. Speak to a licensed financial adviser before making decisions about your retirement savings.