Many Australians ask “how much super should I have at my age?” Understanding the typical super balance by age can help you see whether you’re on track for retirement.
Superannuation is one of your most important financial assets. It shapes the level of comfort, security, and freedom you’ll have in retirement.
Many legal professionals, whether barristers, solicitors, in‑house counsel, or legal support specialists, wonder whether their superannuation balance is on track. It’s a common concern in the legal industry, where long study periods, demanding workloads and varied career pathways can influence how your super grows over time.
- Discover how much super the average Australian has at different ages, and how this can differ for you depending on the stage of your legal career.
- Learn about industry‑specific factors that can impact your super and find out what to do if you’re not on track.
Keep in mind that while benchmarks can offer helpful guidance, they should always be viewed as general indicators rather than prescriptive targets.
How Much Super Should I Have by Age for a Comfortable Retirement?
Age‑based benchmarks provide a high‑level view of what a “typical” super balance might look like at different stages of life. They’re commonly used because super is designed to grow gradually through employer contributions, voluntary contributions and investment returns accumulated over time.
Average super balances can provide guidance, but it’s also important to consider these against the AFSA Standards for a Comfortable Retirement.
It’s also important to note that for people working in law, career timing and income progression can differ significantly from the general population.
Average Super Balances by Age in Australia
The table below shows the average super balance by age in Australia, alongside the ASFA Retirement Standard benchmarks often used to estimate the level of savings needed for a comfortable retirement.
It’s also worth noting that super balances alone don’t determine retirement comfort. Other income sources, such as savings, investments, or future eligibility for the Age Pension, all contribute to your overall financial position.
Average Super Balance by age in Australia and AFSA Comfortable Retirement Targets (2026)
| Age Band | Average Balance (Female) | Average Balance (Male) | AFSA Target (Single) | AFSA Target (Couple) |
| <25 | 7,800 | 8,800 | 25,000 | 30,000 |
| 25–29 | 24,600 | 27,000 | 55,000 | 65,000 |
| 30–34 | 46,000 | 54,600 | 95,000 | 115,000 |
| 35–39 | 71,200 | 90,200 | 145,000 | 175,000 |
| 40–44 | 98,600 | 125,900 | 210,000 | 255,000 |
| 45–49 | 127,000 | 161,200 | 290,000 | 350,000 |
| 50–54 | 158,100 | 203,700 | 380,000 | 455,000 |
| 55–59 | 196,500 | 250,000 | 480,000 | 565,000 |
| 60–64 | 227,500 | 276,200 | 560,000 | 655,000 |
| 65–69 | 257,600 | 295,000 | 630,000 | 730,000 |
Sources: Retirement Standard - ASFA, How much super should I have at my age?
Date of preparation: March 2026
AFSA target figures by age bands are approximate only and only consider the total balance figures of $630,000 for singles and $730,000 for couples.
What to Do If You’re Not on Track
If you feel that your balance may be lagging, there are some practical steps you can consider.
These include: salary sacrifice, voluntary contributions, checking for lost super, consolidating funds and reviewing your investment options. Consider booking a discussion with one of our Client Service Managers to discuss your options further.
What Affects How Much Super You’ll Have as a Legal Professional
Delayed workforce entry, early‑career workload but modest salaries, career breaks, income variability (particularly barristers), and investment choices all influence long‑term super outcomes.
Here’s how a typical career lifecycle can impact your super balance.
20s – Post-School and Study
Casual work may kickstart superannuation balances, but heavy legal study loads may limit earning potential.
30s – Early Legal Career
After years of study and completing Practical Legal Training, many legal professionals only enter fulltime legal work in their mid to late twenties. As a result, the thirties are often the first decade where income becomes more stable and career progression starts to take shape. This is typically when super balances begin building meaningful momentum.
40s – Growing Legal Responsibilities
The forties are often a pivotal decade for legal professionals as their career becomes more established and responsibilities expand. Many lawyers move into senior associate or special counsel roles, take on leadership within firms, transition into corporate counsel positions, or pursue entry to the Bar, often accompanied by a noticeable increase in earnings.
With this growth, many professionals start to reassess their financial progress, asking questions like how much super should I have at 40? and whether their superannuation balance is keeping pace with their advancing career and long-term retirement goals.
50s – Peak Earning Years in a Legal Career
For many in the legal field, the fifties bring peak earning capacity, whether through partnership, seniority or established barrister practice. Reviewing your current super balance, considering extra contributions and looking at your investment strategy can help ensure that your super balance continues to grow during what are often the higher-earning years.
60s – Transitioning to Retirement
While you might not be ready to wrap up entirely, as retirement age approaches, legal professionals often reassess whether they wish to continue working part‑time, take consultancy roles or fully retire. Even if you’re still planning to work past the typical retirement age or take breaks during retirement, planning for your retirement income and transition options should be front of mind during this decade.
Need Help Understanding Your Super? We're Here for the Legal Community
Planning is key for legal professionals who may retire gradually, continue consulting or shift to part‑time work. A retirement income strategy can help align your super with long‑term needs.
Whether you are an early career lawyer, a barrister with fluctuating income, a progressing solicitor, or planning for retirement, our Client Service Managers can help you understand your super options and next steps.
Need more help? Contact our Client Services team
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Australians aim for the ASFA Comfortable Retirement Standard, which estimates how much you’ll need to fund a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. As a guide, ASFA suggests you’ll need around $730,000 for a couple or $630,000 for a single person (AFSA Retirement Standard, as of March 2026) in super by retirement, assuming you also receive the Age Pension. These targets help you understand whether your current balance is on track and what adjustments you may need to make as you get closer to retirement.
You can check whether your super is on track by comparing your current balance to average super balances by age and the ASFA Comfortable Retirement Standard. These benchmarks give you a clear sense of how your savings are progressing and whether you may need to adjust your strategy.
There’s no exact number you must have by 40, but comparing your balance to the average super balance by age and the ASFA Comfortable Retirement Standard can help you understand how you’re tracking. Many Australians in their early 40s aim to have a growing balance that reflects rising income and consistent contributions. If your super is below the average for your age group, there’s several strategies you can consider.
There are some practical steps you can consider which can assist to grow your super balance faster, such as salary sacrifice, voluntary contributions, checking for lost super, consolidating funds and reviewing your investment options. Consider booking a discussion with one of our Client Service Manager to discuss your options further.
You can make extra contributions either before tax or after tax. A common strategy is salary sacrifice, where part of your pretax income is paid directly into your super at the concessional tax rate. You can also make voluntary after tax contributions and in some cases claim a tax deduction. Both options can help boost your balance over time.