5 easy ways to grow your super for a better retirement
Updated on 1 July 2025 | 6 minute read
If you worry about being able to afford the lifestyle you want when you retire, you're not alone. Research shows 61% of us aren't confident that our super balance will be enough for the retirement we want. But there are ways you can grow your super even more.
How to boost your super
A good place to start is to know how much super you need for the life you want to live in retirement. Run your numbers to find out how much you're on track to have when you stop working.
It’s never too early or late to start working towards an even better future. Taking control now and getting the most from your super could make a big difference to your retirement.
Did you know?
42% of Australians are unsure how much super they need for their retirement goals.
Source: YouGov and Australian Retirement Trust, Finance and Superannuation, 2022. Surveyed 2,000 Australians.
5 ways to grow super
Once you know how much super you want to have at retirement, it's time to look at what you can do to get there.
Check your super account regularly
By paying regular attention to your account, you'll be about to track your progress towards your retirement goal. And you'll keep making sure you're getting all you should from it.
You can easily access your super account online.
Here are some things to check:
- Your account balance and investments
- Making sure your employer is paying you the right amount, and at least 4 times a year
- Insurance cover premiums, fees and costs. Don't pay more than you need to.
If you're a member with us, log in to Member Online or download our app. You can also check your super transactions on myGov.
Combine your super
If you have multiple accounts, you could be paying multiple fees. Which means you might be paying more than you need to.
That could be quite a lot of money you're missing out on in retirement. There are some easy things you can do now to avoid this.
Find lost super
If you've ever moved house or even changed your email address, you could have other super accounts that you've lost track of.
Find any lost super in myGov and make sure your fund has your latest contact details.
If you're a member with us, it's easy to find lost super and update your details in Member Online.
Consolidate super
If you’ve had more than one job, there’s a good chance you could have a few different super accounts.
As a member with us, you can easily combine other super accounts into your Super Savings account. You can do this in Member Online, by using our rollover tool or filling out our paper form.
Add extra to your super
Sometimes you may find yourself with a little extra income – like a bonus or tax return. Making contributions to your super can help give your balance a boost and may offer some tax advantages.
Keep in mind there are some caps and rules which limit the amount you can add to your super.
Here are a few options to think about.
Salary sacrifice (salary packaging)
By setting up salary sacrifice with your employer, you pay some of your before-tax salary into your super account.
It's an easy way to grow your super as well as reduce your taxable income, since the money goes into your super before it's taxed at your normal tax rate, which could be higher than the tax you have to pay on money paid into super.
Voluntary after-tax contributions
You can make after-tax contributions (also known as personal contributions) on a regular or one-off basis. You can usually make them via BPAY, direct debit, or payroll deductions through your employer.
If you're aged 55 or over, you could also make a downsizer contribution to your super tax-free when selling your family home.
Government co-contribution
If you make an after-tax contribution and earn below a certain amount, you could get up to $500 from the government added to your super. It's called the government super co-contribution.
How much you get depends on your earnings and how much you personally add to your super. And there are some rules you need to meet.
Low-income super tax offset (LISTO)
Another way the government helps low-income earners is with the LISTO. It's a government payment to your super that you get if you or your employer make before-tax contributions.
It depends on your income and there are some rules you need to meet.
Spouse contributions
You could get a tax offset by adding to your spouse's super, depending on how much they earn. Making a spouse contribution from your after-tax income has a few other benefits, too.
Use our Superannuation Contributions Calculator to see the difference a little extra could make to your super.
Pick the best investment options for you
Even if you don't have extra money to add to your account, choosing the right investment option can help grow your super. That's because the way your money's invested can have a huge impact on how much you end up with in retirement.
You want to make sure that your investment options are right for your goals and your life stage.
- In general, when you're young or have a low balance, you can focus on growth. That's because having plenty of time until retirement means time to ride out the market's ups and downs.
- Once you're ready to retire, members often want investment options that offer less growth but protect their existing balance.
Of course, it depends on your risk appetite. Take our risk profile quiz and check what options may suit you.
Before you switch: It's a great idea to check in with a financial adviser before changing any of your super investments.
You can check your super investments with us in Member Online or in our app.
Get financial advice
Everyone's situation is different, just like everyone's retirement goals are different. And when you're trying to maximise super contributions, you want to be confident you've got it right.
That's where personal financial advice can help.
More than 70% of Australians say getting financial advice can help them achieve their financial goals.
Our financial advisers can help get your super on track. And the best part? You get advice about your accounts with us as part of your membership.1
If you want advice about more than your super, you can choose your own financial adviser. We can also refer you to an accredited financial adviser on our National Advice Panel.
Check what types of financial advice are available.
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