Ever wondered how your super stacks up against the rest of the country? For some, it’s a small source of pride; for others, it’s a wake-up call. The latest data from the Australian Taxation Office finally reveals what it takes to be in the top 10% of super balances — and the results might surprise you.
The Numbers Behind the Top 10%
Australians approaching retirement have built some impressive super balances. Those aged 60 to 64 who fall into the top 10% hold over $993,000 if they’re men and around $770,000 if they’re women. By the time they reach 65 to 69, those numbers climb to roughly $1.1 million for men and $960,000 for women, explains Yahoo Finance.
For retirees in their early 70s, top-tier savers can hold more than $1.2 million in super. Yet the averages are far lower — about $417,000 for men and $320,000 for women in the 60–64 bracket. The gap reflects long-standing issues like the gender pay gap, interrupted careers, and part-time work, which leave many women with less super at retirement.
How Super Builds Over Time
The ATO figures show that balances grow gradually across a working life. People in their late 20s have super around the $50,000 to $60,000 mark, while those in their 40s might hold between $300,000 and $400,000. By the late 50s, the top performers are sitting on more than $700,000, proving that steady contributions and compounding interest really do add up over decades.
What’s striking is how early contributions shape long-term outcomes. Those who start topping up their super in their 20s or 30s, even with small amounts, tend to see dramatically stronger results later in life.
What the Top 10% Have in Common
Financial adviser James Wrigley, who examined the ATO data, says the key trait shared by top super savers isn’t income — it’s consistency. They’ve been adding a little extra for years, either through salary sacrifice or small voluntary contributions.
With the compulsory super rate now sitting at 12%, every worker is building toward retirement automatically. But it’s the voluntary top-ups that often separate the average saver from the high achievers. Small, regular contributions can snowball into hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
Don’t Just Compare — Review
While it’s natural to compare, experts caution against fixating on other people’s balances. Everyone’s path looks different depending on income, time out of work, and lifestyle choices. The best approach is to focus on your own goals and check whether your super fund is helping you reach them.
That means reviewing fees, investment performance, and insurance cover — and making changes if something isn’t working. Even switching to a low-fee fund can make a noticeable difference over the years.
Building a Comfortable Future
For most Australians, hitting the top 10% might sound unrealistic, but that’s not the real goal. What matters is being proactive. Super is one of the most tax-effective ways to build wealth, and the earlier you engage with it, the more power compounding returns will have.
Whether you’re just starting your career or nearing retirement, the message is the same: consistency beats luck every time. You don’t need a million dollars — just time, awareness, and a steady hand.
