How much super should you have at 25?
Most 25-year-olds are only a few years into full-time work, so balances are still small and the average is skewed by a minority who started early or earn well. On ATO figures for June 2022, the average super balance for the 25 to 29 age band is about $24,370. That average is worth reading with care: it is pulled up by a minority of large balances, so the median (the middle balance, where half of people have more and half have less) is lower, at roughly $17,545 to $17,840. If your balance sits between those two, you are in good company. The number that matters is not the average at all, but whether your own path lands you at the retirement income you want, which is what the calculator above projects.
Average super balance at 25, and why the median is lower
The average across men and women in the 25 to 29 band is $24,370, while the typical (median) balance is closer to $17,545 to $17,840. The gap exists because a small number of high balances drag the average upwards, so most people your age hold less than the headline average. There is also a persistent gap between men and women, widest through the prime working and caregiving years, driven by the gender pay gap and time out of the workforce. Treat the average as a rough marker, not a target.
Super balance by age in Australia
The table below shows the average super balance for each age we cover, so you can see where 25 sits and how balances build over a working life. All figures are ATO Individuals statistics for June 2022, combined across men and women, and exclude accounts with a nil balance.
| Age | ATO age band | Average balance | Typical (median) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 25 (this page) | 25 to 29 | $24,370 | $17,545–$17,840 |
| Age 30 | 30 to 34 | $48,660 | $34,327–$39,796 |
| Age 35 | 35 to 39 | $81,450 | $54,391–$70,181 |
| Age 40 | 40 to 44 | $117,430 | $74,066–$101,231 |
| Age 45 | 45 to 49 | $159,270 | $93,471–$133,616 |
| Age 50 | 50 to 54 | $207,370 | $111,063–$162,146 |
| Age 55 | 55 to 59 | $265,740 | $128,675–$186,255 |
| Age 60 | 60 to 64 | $341,590 | $153,685–$205,385 |
| Age 65 | 65 to 69 | $404,560 | $191,475–$206,091 |
These are national figures, not a rule for your situation. Someone who started work late, took time out, or earns above average will sit well off the average, and that is normal. Use the superannuation calculator to project your own balance forward on your salary and contributions.
Frequently asked questions
Super by age
Simon is the founder of Orbit Money, a tool that helps people track subscriptions and recurring spend. He builds Orbit's free money calculators and writes about personal finance for Australian and UK readers.
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