Superannuation Calculator

How the Superannuation Calculator works

Superannuation calculator formula

Each year the employer contributes its rate of salary, extra contributions are added, contributions tax is taken off, fixed fees are deducted and the balance earns the return. The superannuation calculator uses:

Balance next year = balance × (1 + return) + (employer + extra) × (1 − tax) − fees

Today's money divides the final balance by (1 + inflation)^years. Every rate is an input, so check your payslip and your fund's statement for the figures that apply to you.

Worked example: starting at 30

At 30 with 50,000, an 80,000 salary rising 3% a year, a 12% employer rate, 15% contributions tax, 300 of fees and a 6% return, the balance at 67 is 1,930,657.96, or 774,323.29 in today's money. The employer puts in 635,272.54, tax takes 95,290.88 and fees 11,100.

Worked example: catching up at 45

At 45 with 150,000 and a 100,000 salary, a 12% employer rate, 5,000 a year of extra contributions, no contributions tax and 500 of fees reach 1,410,769.52 at 67, or 819,466.17 in today's money. The table shows how many dollars steady yearly contributions grow to.

Superannuation reference table

The balance from contributing 10,000 a year after 1 to 30 years, at returns of 5%, 6% and 7%.

Quick answers

• Enter the employer rate shown on your payslip.
• Enter 0 as the tax rate if your extra contributions are after-tax.
• Fixed fees matter more on small balances.
• Today's money shows what the balance would buy now.
• The return should be after your fund's investment fees.

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