Take your 2025 Super Snapshot

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Imagine you’ve received some extra money - maybe from a tax return, work bonus or self-employment. Would you consider the benefits of contributing some of that money to your super?

Yes, that’s something I’d look into

No, it hadn’t crossed my mind

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67,000 members in your age group topped up their super.

In the 2023 financial year, 67,000 members aged 30-49 added extra to their super¹.

The impact extra contributions can have

Voluntary contributions can be a great way to help grow your super. If it suits your personal situation, adding a little bit extra to your super now could have a big impact on your balance for retirement².

After-tax contributions

After-tax contributions are extra payments you can make from money you’ve already paid tax on, like your take-home salary. You could also qualify for the super co-contributions, depending on certain eligibility criteria such as your annual income.

Neelima works for herself as a freelancer and is 37 years old. She earns $97,000 a year before tax and has a current super balance of $85,000.

Case study about after-tax contributions to super illustrates how Neelima, a 37 year old, freelance designer, who is earning $97,000 per year before tax, and has a current super balance of $85,000 a year, could help boost her super balance for retirement at age 67. Case study explains that Neelima's super balance at 67 with no extra contributions would be $181,000 but if she starts paying 11.5% of after-tax earnings annually her balance at 67 would increase to $580,000. If she also added an extra lump sum of $5,000 a year, together with paying 11.5% of after-tax earnings annually, her super balance at age 67 would increase to $813,000.

^‡ This case study is for illustration purposes only. The actual benefits you receive will depend on a range of factors including future economic conditions, investment performance and legislative change. Investment performance is not guaranteed. Source: AustralianSuper calculations June 2024. Gross earnings and lump sum contribution assumed to increase at 3.5% p.a. After-tax earnings based on 2024/25 ATO resident income tax rates plus 2% Medicare levy. Investment returns based on 6.5% p.a. after fees and taxes. Administration fee deducted from account balances of $52 p.a. + 0.10% p.a. of your account balance up to a maximum of $350 p.a. Nominal insurance premium of $500 p.a. All figures calculated in today’s dollars by discounting at wage inflation of 3.5% and rounded to nearest $1,000.

There’s more than one way to build your super through extra contributions. Depending on your situation, you may be able to save on tax while growing your balance, by contributing to your super before tax.

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Important information to consider
1. FY23 AustralianSuper data
2. Before adding to your super, consider your financial circumstances, eligibility, contribution caps that may apply, tax issues and when your super can be accessed. We recommend you consider seeking financial advice.