Skip to main content
Join

How much money
will I need?

Your retirement lifestyle is personal to you. Discover how much money you may need for the retirement you want. 

A smiling grey haired lady is studying the numbers for her financial future, while her laptop is on her knees, sitting at home on a sofa in a living room

How our super calculator can help

This Retirement Cost Calculator helps you estimate the income you may need in retirement based on the lifestyle you want.

To get started, we've suggested amounts for common retirement expenses using recognised retirement spending benchmarks. You can adjust any of these amounts to better reflect your own plans and circumstances.

Choose the household type that best reflects your retirement

Select whether you'll retire as a single or as part of a couple. If you're planning to retire as a couple, think about your combined household expenses rather than your individual share of those costs.


About the suggested amounts

The suggested amounts are based on recognised retirement spending benchmarks and can be adjusted to suit your situation.


Housing costs

The benchmark figures assume you own your home in retirement. If you expect to rent, consider updating the housing expenses to reflect your expected costs.


One-off retirement expenses

This calculator focuses on ongoing living expenses. Larger one-off costs, such as replacing a car, major holidays or home renovations, can be included later in the Retirement Projection Calculator, which you'll be able to access after estimating your ongoing retirement expenses.

Your estimate is a guide only and can help you start planning for retirement. 

Canva-seniors-laptop-finances

Am I on track?

Once you have an income target in mind, use the Retirement Projection Calculator to see how your super, any Age Pension and other income could support it over time. You can also explore how changes to your plans could affect the result.

How much super should I have for my age now?

There is no right or wrong way to plan for retirement. However, knowing what your super balance should be for your age is helpful to understandwhether you're on track.

You can check your balance using Member Online or the Hostplus app.

Once you know your balance, you have a good starting point. The table below is a guide to show how much a single person may need to achieve a comfortable retirement. Your circumstances might be different. A good tip is that you can continue to use Member Online and our app to see how you're tracking.

Age (years)Super balance for a single person
25$27,500
30$70,500
35$118,000
40$178,000
45$239,000
50$313,500
55$399,000
60$496,500
65$604,500
67$630,000

Source: superannuation.asn.au/consumers/super-detective/. Figures are based on Super Balance Detective calculator accessed March 2026. The table is for illustrative purposes only. For details of all assumptions used in the calculation, please visit superannuation.asn.au/consumers/super-detective/. The above figures apply for a single person. If you're in a relationship, the combined super you'll need at age 67 for a comfortable retirement is estimated to be $730,000.

RETIREMENT INCOME BENCHMARKS

Another helpful tool to consider is the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) Retirement Standard. ASFA created these guidelines after analysing retired Australians’ expenses and spending habits in retirement, assuming retirees own their own home and are in relatively good health.
canva-happy-couple-retirement-walking-street
Cocktail

To achieve a comfortable retirement

A comfortable retirement generally includes room for everyday comforts and some lifestyle spending.  ASFA estimates that to retire comfortably at age 67:  

  • A couple may need around $730,000 in super combined 
  • A single person may need around $630,000 in super  

This translates to an annual income of $78,566 for a couple or $55,923 for a single person, including the Age Pension.  

These figures assume you own your home outright and relate to expenditure by household.

Icon depicting a cup of tea

To achieve a modest income in retirement

A modest lifestyle is closer to the Age Pension, with less room for extras.  ASFA estimates that to retire at age 67 with a modest income:  

  • A couple may need around $120,000 in super combined  
  • A single person may need about $110,000 in super  

This translates to an annual income of $52,473 for a couple or $36,434 for a single person, including the Age Pension.  

These figures assume you own your home outright and relate to expenditure by household. 

Ways to help boost
your retirement income

If you'd like to increase the income available to you in retirement, there are several ways you can build your super savings before you retire.

Icon depicting money going into a jar as savings

Salary sacrifice

You can ask your employer to pay additional amounts into your super from your before-tax salary. This may reduce your taxable income.¹

After-tax contributions

You can make additional contributions to your super from your take-home pay.¹

Government co-contributions

If you are a low or middle-income earner, you may be eligible for a government co-contribution when you make eligible after-tax contributions to your super.¹

Spouse contributions

You or your partner may be able to contribute to each other’s super. Eligibility requirements and tax rules apply.¹

1 Eligibility requirements, contribution caps and tax rules apply. Consider your personal circumstances and speak with us or seek financial advice if you'd like help deciding what is right for you.

Other ways to boost your super

Check your investments

Understand how to choose an investment option that suits your goals.

Are you paying extra fees?

If you have more than one super acccount, merging them into on signle Hostplus account could help you save money on fees.2
Multi generational women having fun together at park - Multiracial people meet and hugging each other outdoor

Women and super

Women generally retire with less super than men. 

Find out more about what you can do to bridge the gender super gap.

2 Before consolidating your super, you should check with your existing super fund whether there are any fees or charges that may apply or any loss of benefits, such as insurance cover. If you have insurance cover with another super fund, you may be able to transfer that cover to Hostplus. To find out if you are eligible and to learn more, visit hostplus.com.au/insurance. You may also find it beneficial to obtain advice from a financial adviser

Get expert advice

Once you understand your goals, the next step is making a plan. Having a financial plan can help you make the right decisions now, to help you achieve your future goals.

Hostplus advisers can help you:

  • Understand your super
  • Improve your strategy
  • Build retirement confidence
Middle age hispanic couple smiling happy and using touchpad. Sitting on the sofa with dogs at home.

Apply online for our award-winning Retirement account

Start enjoying a regular income from your super while staying invested. It only takes about 20 minutes to apply. 


This is a dialog window. Press Escape to close the dialog.