Australian women retire with less super on average than men
On average, women reach retirement age with 23% less super* than men. Find out if you’re on track to have enough super at retirement.
Enter your age and super balance
Use our easy calculator to find out if you’re on track to achieve the “comfortable” retirement standard that is set each quarter by ASFA.
Answering how much you’ll need in retirement can be like answering how long a piece of string is.
Four times a year, ASFA publishes a retirement standard. It shows what you’ll need at retirement to achieve a “comfortable” or “modest” lifestyle. Find out more about the current results.
Taking time out of the workforce to care for children or other loved ones can seriously impact a woman’s super balance.
However, even while you aren’t in paid work, you (or your partner) can continue to make contributions to your super to help it continue to grow. Even just a few dollars regularly can make a big difference by the time you retire (yes, seriously, just a few dollars!).
You can read more about the different types of contributions you might choose to make as well as see an example of the kind of difference it might make by retirement below. Or visit our articles about Starting a Family or Breaks from Work to get started.
Women make up about 67% of part-time workers in Australia* and, as you might expect, receiving a part-time salary means you are going to receive a lower amount to your super.
Depending on which Division of ElectricSuper you are in, there are different rules and conditions that could impact your retirement balance if you work (or have worked) part-time.
Read moreWondering what difference a few dollars each week can make to your eventual retirement?
We’ve put together some rough numbers to help you see the difference! Remember that these numbers use assumptions and generalisations and you should consider your own situation and do your own research to determine if this information is relevant to you.
Sarah is 32 and has $51,000 in her super. She’s going to stop paid employment soon to have her first child. She has heard that small amounts to super can make a difference at retirement and she wants to find out more.
Sarah plans to retire at 65.
If Sarah contributes $10 a week for the next 15 years (that is, until she’s 47 years old, and then stops making extra contributions), her super balance could be more than $56,000 higher at retirement than if she does nothing.
If Sarah contributes $5 a week for the next 15 years (that is, until she’s 47) and then $40 a week from then until retirement, her super balance could be over $106,000 more at retirement than if she does nothing.
If Sarah contributes $5 a week from now until she retires at 65, her super balance could be over $37,000 more at retirement than if she does nothing.
If Sarah contributes $20 a week from now until retirement, her super balance could be over $151,000 higher at retirement than if she does nothing.
These calculations were developed using the MoneySmart.gov.au Compound Interest Calculator. You can read the disclaimers and assumptions used in the calculator on the MoneySmart webpage. We have assumed that Sarah earns an average of 8% a year on her super and that the returns are compounded annually. The returns that are actually achieved on super will vary and past performance is not an indicator of future returns. There are some years where Sarah will likely lose money and other years where she will earn more than 8%.
You have the option to put extra into your super, even when you are not in the paid workforce. You can do this by ad hoc transfers from your bank account. Even small amounts made regularly can make a difference at retirement.
Also, your spouse can split contributions to you or, depending on your income, you could additionally be eligible for co-contributions from the government (this is where the government makes a contribution to your super if you have made eligible contributions for yourself).
Read more
If you are a low or middle-income earner, you may be eligible for a co-contribution from the government of up to $500. If you make personal after-tax contributions, your situation will be assessed when you lodge your tax return and if you’re eligible, the co-contribution will be automatically made to your super.
There are conditions and eligibility criteria that apply so make sure you understand these by clicking on “Read more”.
Read moreWatch our short video to get your head around the types of contributions you can make to your super and the difference it might make to your retirement balance.
Watch nowYour spouse may be able to split contributions to your super account. This will help keep your super growing while you’re out of paid employment.
Your spouse could split up to 85% of their concessional contributions to your super in a financial year. There are conditions and restrictions that apply. Read more about the details of contribution splitting on our Splitting Super Contributions webpage.
Read more
If you work for one of our Participating Employers, your spouse could open an ElectricSuper Spouse Account. It means that they could take advantage of an account with no admin fees, they could access the same great investment options, and they could apply for Death and Total and Permanent Disablement insurance.
Their current employer could also make their regular contributions to their new ElectricSuper Spouse Account, whatever industry they work in.
Read more* taken from https://www.womeninsuper.com.au/content/the-facts-about-women-and-super/gjumzs
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