Half the career done — 22 years of compounding left.
ATO average for the 45-49 age band: $183,254.00; the middle person aged 30-49 holds $50,000 to $99,999.
Average projected to 67 at band-average salary: $839,801.00.
ASFA single comfortable target: $630,000.00.
Between 18 and 80. ASFA Retirement Standard anchors on age 67.
Sum of all your super accounts. Check myGov for an up-to-date total.
Used for SG projection. Defaults to the ATO average salary or wages for your age band.
Retirement target
ASFA Retirement Standard Dec 2025 quarter. Assumes home-owner and partial Age Pension.
Projected at 67 (22 yrs to go)$839,801.00
Single comfortable target$630,000.00
Surplus above target$209,801.00
ATO average balance (45-49)$183,254.00
Vs ATO average$0.00 above
Middle balance, ages 30-49$50,000 to $99,999
Where you sit75%–84% of people aged 30-49 have less
Assumptions: figures are in today's dollars, like the ASFA targets. Growth 7% p.a. after fees, ≈4.4% real after 2.5% inflation; salary held at today's value; SG 12% from 1 Jul 2025, contributions through to age 67, less 15% contributions tax on SG and salary sacrifice. Does not model concessional cap ($32,500.00 in 2026-27). The low income super tax offset is netted off the contributions tax when your salary does not exceed $37,000.
At 45, you're roughly halfway between your first job and retirement. Mortgage is likely in middle-years territory; teenagers are expensive but childcare is gone; peak salary period often lands in the next 5-10 years. Carry-forward unused concessional cap becomes a strategic tool.
Why the balance at 45 matters: From the late 40s, catching up on a below-average balance usually needs a structural change — bigger extra contributions, working past 67, or a lower lifestyle target.
Biggest lever at 45
Carry-forward unused concessional cap — if your total super balance is under $500,000 at the prior 30 June, you can use unused cap from the prior 5 years. A 45-year-old with 3 years of unused cap can make a $90,000+ concessional contribution in one year, typically tied to a bonus or capital gains event.
Common traps at 45
Not using carry-forward in a bonus year — the cap rolls off after 5 years; unused cap from 2021-22 expires 30 June 2027.
Buying insurance through super that duplicates cover held personally — by 45 many people have both and pay twice.
Forgetting Div 293 tax — if combined income + concessional contributions exceed $250,000, an extra 15% contributions tax applies (total 30%). Still advantageous vs marginal, but the math changes.
The numbers at 45 — how the projection works
Your current age
45
Years to age 67 (ASFA anchor)
22
ATO average balance (45-49)
$183,254.00
Band-average salary or wages (ATO, 2023-24)
$100,721.00
SG at 12%, after 15% contributions tax (annual)
$10,274.00
Projected at 67 (average + SG only, today's dollars)
What is the average super balance at 45 in Australia?
For the 45-49 age band, the average balance in ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24 is $183,254.00. A minority of very large balances pulls the average up. The ATO publishes no median by age, but its counts by balance range show the middle person aged 30-49 holds $50,000 to $99,999.
How much super should I have at 45?
No single answer — it depends on your target retirement lifestyle. To hit the ASFA single comfortable target of $630,000.00 at 67 on SG alone, someone at 45 on the band-average salary ($100,721.00) would need about $101,729.00 now. A lower salary, career breaks or lower returns raise that figure; try your own numbers above.
Is $183,254.00 enough at 45?
$183,254.00 is the ATO average for the 45-49 band. Projected forward to 67 at the band-average salary of $100,721.00, SG alone at 12% grows it to approximately $839,801.00. That's above the ASFA single comfortable target of $630,000.00 by $209,801.00. An average balance is tracking above target on these assumptions.
How do I catch up super at 45?
Carry-forward unused concessional cap — if your total super balance is under $500,000 at the prior 30 June, you can use unused cap from the prior 5 years. A 45-year-old with 3 years of unused cap can make a $90,000+ concessional contribution in one year, typically tied to a bonus or capital gains event.
Should I salary sacrifice at 45?
Generally yes if your marginal tax rate is above 15%. With 22 years of compounding at 4.4% real, every $100 per month salary-sacrificed at 45 becomes roughly $36,557.00 at 67 in today's dollars, after contributions tax. Against a 15% contributions tax vs your likely 30% or 37% marginal rate, the pre-tax math alone saves $15-22 per $100 contributed, before compounding.
Is the calculator projection realistic?
It assumes 7% p.a. after fees and 2.5% inflation, so balances grow at about 4.4% real, and your salary stays at today's value. Every figure is in today's dollars, the same basis as the ASFA targets. The projection does not model market volatility, salary growth, career breaks or the concessional cap, so treat it as a planning anchor and try a lower balance or salary to stress-test it.
This calculator is an estimate tool and may not cover all personal circumstances. For state-based taxes, confirm details with your state or territory revenue office.
