Do you need to give yourself a half-time super rev-up?

Giving yourself an honest appraisal can help you maximise your super opportunities.

Sports teams are generally used to receiving a half-time dressing room pep-talk, where their coach tries to spur them on ahead of the final whistle or siren.

Of course, when it comes to superannuation savings, there’s no such thing as half-time, because getting the best out of your super is an ongoing endeavour. And, unless you have a good financial coach or you’re self-motivated and financially savvy, it can be easy to get off track and miss out on reaching your full potential.

That’s why – especially as we quickly approach the mid‑way point of the 2026–27 financial year – you may want to consider sitting yourself down and giving yourself an honest super “half‑time pep talk”.

Think of it like a personal performance appraisal. Don’t pull any punches either, because spending a bit of time working on your super game plan now and asking yourself a few hard questions could make a meaningful difference to your super outcomes over the long term.

So, here’s some things to consider and some strategies you could employ over the remainder of the current financial year and beyond.

Are your contributions on track?

Start by checking how much super has been contributed into your account so far this financial year.

With Payday Super now in effect, your employer must ensure your super contributions reach your fund within seven business days of each payday. That means you can track contributions more easily and spot any gaps sooner.

Log in to your legalsuper super account and compare your year‑to‑date contributions against your goals. If you’re aiming to maximise your concessional contributions this financial year, remember the annual cap has been increased from $30,000 to $32,500.

Concessional contributions include your employer’s Super Guarantee contributions, any salary sacrifice contributions you make, and other personal contributions you choose to make for which you intend to claim a tax deduction.

If you’re unsure how concessional contributions work, legalsuper has a simple overview here.

Do you have capacity to contribute more?

You may also be eligible to use carry forward concessional contributions if your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June this year.

This allows you to use unused concessional cap amounts from the previous five years. It’s a powerful way to “catch up” if you’ve had career breaks or lower contributions in earlier years.

Furthermore, if you have after‑tax savings available, you might also consider making non‑concessional contributions. The annual cap is $130,000 but you may be able to use the bring‑forward rule to contribute up to $390,000 before 30 June. This can be useful if you’ve received an inheritance, sold an asset or simply want to invest more in a tax‑effective environment.

Learn more about the rules for making non‑concessional contributions here.

Should you start or adjust salary sacrifice?

If you’re looking for a simple, set‑and‑forget way to boost your super, salary sacrifice is one of the easiest strategies.

You can start a new arrangement or increase your existing one at any point in the year, and the mid‑year mark is a great time to reassess.

Salary sacrifice allows you to direct part of your pre‑tax salary into super, generally taxed at 15% rather than at your marginal tax rate. Even a small increase can make a difference over time.

If you’re thinking about adjusting your salary sacrifice, check your current contributions first to avoid exceeding the concessional cap. You can also speak with your payroll department to confirm how quickly changes can be implemented.

Is your investment strategy still right for you?

Super isn’t just about contributions, because your super investment strategy plays a major role in how your balance grows over time.

Ask yourself whether your current investment option still aligns with your goals, timeframe and comfort with risk.

Markets move, personal circumstances change and your retirement horizon may shift. If you haven’t reviewed your investment option recently, take a moment to see whether it still suits your needs.

You can explore legalsuper’s investment options here.

If you’re unsure which option is right for you, consider factors such as how long you have until retirement, how comfortable you are with market ups and downs, and whether your current option has performed in line with your expectations.

Check your insurance while you’re there

Many members hold insurance through their super, and mid‑year is a good time to confirm if your super insurance cover is still appropriate.

Life changes such as a new job, a mortgage, children or reduced financial commitments can all influence how much cover you need.

You can review insurance options through legalsuper here.

A quick look at your account details

While you’re logged in, take a moment to check your contact details, beneficiaries and account preferences. Ensuring everything is up to date helps avoid delays, lost super and administrative issues later on.

Your second‑half game plan

A mid‑year super pep-talk can be a very worthwhile exercise, and it doesn’t need to be over-complicated.

Taking just a few simple steps, such as reviewing contributions, considering extra payments, checking your investment options and confirming your insurance can help you stay on track and make the most of the second half of the financial year.

It’s basically a personal check-in to see if you can do more to build your super savings balance. If you do use a financial adviser, consider making a personal review appointment.

If you’re unsure where to start or want help understanding your options, legalsuper can guide you through the process.

You can book a one-on-one appointment with our national Client Service team. Click here.