60, How Much Super Should I Have
60 for Australian property investors. Part of the How Much Super Should I Have hub on Shelby Limited, AI strategy, calculators and expert matching.
At 60, the average Australian super balance is about $320,000 and the median is $209,000. To stay on track for ASFA's comfortable single retirement of $595,000 by 67, aim for roughly $333K. From an average balance, about $190 a month extra closes the gap.
Will an average balance at 60 be enough by 67?
Starting from the average $320,000 at 60, with $10,800 a year of Super Guarantee on a $90,000 salary and 6.5% net returns, the projection is $576,000 at 67. That is $19,000 short of ASFA's comfortable single target, which an extra $190 a month over the next 7 years would close.
Super milestones from age 60
- You reach preservation age (60) this year, so super can be accessed once you retire or start a transition-to-retirement income stream.
- 7 years until Age Pension age (67), the age ASFA's comfortable benchmark is measured against.
- You are eligible for the downsizer contribution of up to $300,000 per person if you sell a home you have owned for 10 years or more.
- At 65 (in 5 years) super becomes accessible regardless of work status.
- Voluntary contributions generally stop at 75, leaving 15 years of contribution runway.
What $1,000 contributed at 60 is worth later
With 7 years to age 67, every $1,000 added to super at 60 grows to roughly $1,554 at 6.5% net returns. Concessional contributions are taxed at 15% going in, versus your marginal rate outside super, which is why salary sacrifice at 60 is mainly a tax play now.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median super balance at 60 in Australia?
The median super balance at 60 is about $209,000, lower than the $320,000 average because a few large balances lift the mean. Median is the fairer comparison for most people.
How many years until I can access my super if I am 60?
You reach preservation age (60) this year, so super can be accessed once you retire or start a transition-to-retirement income stream.
How much extra should I put into super at 60?
From an average balance at 60, about $190 a month on top of the Super Guarantee would reach $595,000 by 67 at 6.5% net returns. Stay within the $30,000 concessional cap.