Phone 1800 444 396
Web brightersuper.com.au
Email info@brightersuper.com.au
Post GPO Box 264, Brisbane QLD 4001

How much super do I need?

Your retirement starts with the right amount of super

The amount of money you need depends on the lifestyle you want to lead in retirement. Depending on your situation you could combine your super income with the Australian Government’s Age Pension to help fund your retirement.

How much money is enough?

As you approach retirement the question ‘How much money is enough?’ becomes more pressing. Financial security means different things to different people. A modest lifestyle might be adequate for some while others may prefer a more comfortable lifestyle after work.

The lifestyle you lead in retirement will depend on the assets you’ve accumulated over time (including your super and other investments and savings), whether you are eligible to receive the Age Pension or other entitlements, as well as your health and life expectancy.


How much will I need in retirement?

The Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA) is the peak policy, research and advocacy body for the superannuation industry in Australia. ASFA releases a Retirement Standard which sets out expenses for both a comfortable and modest lifestyle for both couples and singles.


What's a comfortable retirement?

According to ASFA’s research, a comfortable retirement enables a retiree to have “a good standard of living including the ability to purchase household goods, private health insurance, a reasonable car, good clothes, a range of electronic equipment, and domestic and occasionally international travel”.

So, if your retirement plans include home renovations, a boat or regular trips overseas, you’ll need to increase your retirement income. On the other hand, if you have more modest plans you might not need as much money.

According to the ASFA Retirement Standard for the September 2025 quarter, the amount of income required for those around age 67 is:


   Modest lifestyle* Comfortable lifestyle*
Single   $35,199 per year  $54,240 per year
Couple  $50,866 per year  $76,505 per year
* These amounts relate to expenditure by the household and assume that the retiree(s) own their home.

Understand your spending habits

To understand how much you need, it’s important to understand your spending habits. Setting up a budget in the lead up to retirement will help you monitor your actual spending against your expected spending and determine how much you need to fund your lifestyle.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) MoneySmart website has a comprehensive suite of tools, apps and other resources to help you track your spending and manage your savings during retirement.


Calculate your needs

It’s likely your super will play a major role in supporting you financially in the future. Our Retirement Income Calculator can help you work out how much you’ll need for the lifestyle you want in retirement, the income your super balance will generate, and any shortfall.

With our What Age Can I Retire? Calculator you’ll receive a personalised estimate of your potential retirement age and expected annual income. It may help you plan a clearer, more confident path to your ideal retirement.

You can also use our Salary Sacrifice Calculator to consider ways to close any gaps and grow your super with extra contributions.

  • What about the age pension?

    The Australian Government’s Age Pension can provide you with income support and access to a range of concessions. To be eligible you must:

    • be age 67 or over, and
    • meet an income and assets test.

    You can learn more about the eligibility criteria for the Age Pension on the Services Australia website. If you are eligible, you may be able to top up the income you receive from your super with Age Pension payments.

    Opening, closing or starting a retirement income account through your super fund (such as a Brighter Super Pension account) could impact how much Age Pension you receive. If you apply for the Government Age Pension, 100% of your Pension account balance will be included in the assets test.

Estimate your retirement income based on your balance, lifestyle and future contributions

Our Retirement Income Calculator helps you estimate your future retirement income by factoring in your current super balance, expected contributions, and the lifestyle you want in retirement.

Take the guesswork out of your planning, and get a clearer picture of your retirement outlook.

See how long your super could last

Join Brighter Super today

We’re here to make things easy and help you get the most from your super so you can enjoy a better lifestyle in the years ahead.

Join Brighter Super today

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