Small contributions. A longer view.

A contribution made today can earn returns for years. A useful retirement projection shows both the money you put in and the assumptions applied after it arrives.

Start with the right salary

Use salary before income tax and excluding employer super. The calculator applies your chosen employer percentage to that salary. Enter extra salary sacrifice separately so it is not counted twice.

Before-tax and after-tax are different inputs

The current model deducts 15% contributions tax from employer and salary-sacrifice contributions. An extra A$100 of salary sacrifice therefore adds A$85 before subsequent returns and fees, within the model's caps. An A$100 after-tax contribution adds A$100; its cost to your take-home pay is different.

This is not a comparison of the best way for you to contribute. Your marginal tax rate, offsets, contribution history and eligibility can change that comparison.

Timing makes a difference

Imagine adding A$100 at the end of every month for one year with no growth or fees: the account receives A$1,200. With a positive return, earlier contributions have more time to grow. With a negative return, they also have more time exposed to losses.

Our calculator credits contributions at month-end. A different calculator using annual or mid-year contributions may produce a different estimate even with similar headline inputs.

Separate investment return from fees

Enter a return after investment earnings tax and before the fees you enter in the calculator. Some published fund assumptions already deduct investment costs. Entering those costs a second time would understate your result.

Percentage fees grow with the balance. Fixed fees and insurance are entered in today's dollars and rise with the inflation assumption.

Keep the cap assumption in view

This model holds current nominal contribution caps fixed across the projection. Future indexation or policy changes are not predicted. Contributions above the modelled caps are excluded and flagged; excess-contribution tax is not calculated.

For retirement spending, use an income target in today's dollars. Add an Age Pension estimate only if you have a basis for doing so. Future eligibility is not inferred from today's balance.

Explore your super