Can you live off super alone after retirement? For most Australians, the honest answer is: for a while, yes, but probably not forever, and that’s actually by design.
Superannuation was never intended to fund your entire retirement on its own. It was designed to work alongside the Age Pension as your balance draws down. That’s not a failure of planning. That’s how the system works. The real question is whether your super balance is large enough to fund the gap years before the pension starts at 67 and then supplement the pension to give you the lifestyle you want.
This guide covers what it actually takes to live off super alone, how much super you need to retire at different levels, what happens when you combine super with the Age Pension, and how long balances from $400K to $900K last in practice.
Please note: All figures, projections and scenarios in this article are approximate and for illustrative purposes only. Individual outcomes will vary based on personal circumstances, investment returns, fees and current government policy. This is general information, not personal advice.
How much super do you need to retire in Australia?
This is the most-searched retirement question in Australia, and the answer depends on whether you’re targeting a comfortable, modest, or somewhere-in-between lifestyle.
The ASFA Retirement Standard (lump sums updated February 2026, spending figures updated quarterly) sets the benchmarks for homeowners retiring at 67:
| Modest lifestyle | Comfortable lifestyle | |
|---|---|---|
| Single, per year | ~$36,700 | ~$54,840 |
| Couple, per year | ~$52,800 | ~$77,375 |
| Single, lump sum at 67 | $110,000 | $630,000 |
| Couple, lump sum at 67 | $120,000 | $730,000 |
The modest figures are so low because the Age Pension does most of the work at that level. Super is just a top-up. At the comfortable level, super carries more weight, but the Age Pension still supplements as the balance draws down.
So how much superannuation should you have? If you want to live off super alone without any Age Pension for the first decade or more of retirement, you need more than the ASFA benchmarks suggest, because those benchmarks assume partial pension support. Living entirely off super with no pension support for 25 to 30 years requires roughly $800,000 to $1,000,000 for a single person or $1,100,000 to $1,400,000 for a couple, depending on spending level and investment returns.
For most Australians, a combination of super plus eventual Age Pension is the realistic and intended approach.
How much super should you have at different ages?
The GSC data shows many people are asking “how much super should I have” and “how much super should I have at 45.” Here’s where average balances sit and what you should be targeting:
| Age | Average super (men) | Average super (women) | Target for comfortable retirement at 67 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | ~$114,000 | ~$88,000 | ~$120,000 to $160,000 |
| 45 | ~$199,000 | ~$152,000 | ~$200,000 to $280,000 |
| 50 | ~$218,000 | ~$168,000 | ~$250,000 to $350,000 |
| 55 | ~$306,000 | ~$232,000 | ~$350,000 to $450,000 |
| 60 | ~$381,000 | ~$301,000 | ~$450,000 to $600,000 |
Source: APRA/ASFA data. Targets are approximate and assume 12% SG, balanced returns, and home ownership at retirement. For a detailed breakdown at specific ages, see our guides on how much super at 50 and how much super at 60.
If you’re at 45 with $150,000 to $200,000, you’re tracking near the average. The 20+ years from 45 to 67 gives compounding significant time to work. A $175,000 balance at 45 with 12% SG on average full-time earnings and balanced returns can realistically grow to $550,000 to $650,000 by 67 without additional contributions.
Scott talked about the psychology of comparing yourself to these benchmarks in Episode 8 of the podcast. The goal isn’t to die with the largest super balance possible. It’s to convert capital into confident living.
Can you live off super alone at different balance levels?
Here’s what living off super actually looks like at three key balance levels, assuming a balanced return of 5% per annum and retirement at 60.
$400,000: super alone is tight
At $400K and $35,000 a year in spending, super alone lasts approximately 14 to 16 years (to your mid-70s). You’d run through the seven-year gap to the Age Pension and have roughly $180,000 to $220,000 remaining at 67.
At that point, as a single homeowner you’d qualify for the full or near-full Age Pension ($31,223 per year as of March 2026). From 67, you’re no longer living off super alone. You’re living off super plus pension, which is a much more sustainable combination.
Verdict: $400K supports you living off super alone through the gap years, then the Age Pension takes over as the primary income. For more detail, see our guide on retiring at 60 with $400K.
$600,000: super alone is workable
At $600K and $45,000 a year, super alone lasts approximately 17 to 20 years (into your late 70s or early 80s). You arrive at 67 with roughly $350,000 to $400,000. That’s above the full pension threshold for a single homeowner ($321,500 at March 2026) but well below the cut-off ($722,000), so you’d receive a meaningful part pension.
From 67, combined income of part pension plus super drawdown reaches roughly $40,000 to $50,000 a year. That’s close to the ASFA comfortable standard for singles.
Verdict: $600K can fund a genuinely comfortable retirement, either entirely off super or (more wisely) in combination with the Age Pension from 67.
$900,000: how long will it last?
The GSC data shows people are specifically searching “how long will $900,000 last in retirement.” Here’s the answer.
| Annual spending | How long $900K lasts (super alone) | Balance at 67 (if retired at 60) |
|---|---|---|
| $45,000/year | 28 to 35 years | ~$650,000 |
| $55,000/year | 20 to 25 years | ~$560,000 |
| $65,000/year | 16 to 19 years | ~$470,000 |
| $75,000/year | 13 to 16 years | ~$380,000 |
At $55,000 a year (close to ASFA comfortable for singles), $900K lasts 20 to 25 years on its own. If you retire at 60, you arrive at 67 with approximately $560,000. At that balance, you’d receive a modest part pension that grows as your balance reduces.
For a couple spending $70,000 a year, $900K combined lasts 15 to 18 years before the couple Age Pension ($47,070 per year at March 2026) extends the timeline significantly.
Verdict: $900K is a strong position. You can genuinely live off super alone for 15 to 25 years depending on spending. With Age Pension support from 67, the money can last well into your 90s.
Source for Age Pension rates: Services Australia, 20 March 2026. Updated each March and September.
How much do you need to retire at 62?
This is another GSC query (8 impressions). Retiring at 62 means a five-year gap to the Age Pension at 67, which is shorter than the seven-year gap at 60 but still requires careful planning.
At $45,000 a year in spending over five gap years, you’d draw approximately $225,000 from super (allowing for investment returns). So if you’re targeting a comfortable retirement from 62, you’d want roughly $500,000 to $600,000 for a single homeowner and $700,000 to $800,000 for a couple. These figures assume balanced returns and partial Age Pension from 67.
If your balance is lower, say $350,000 to $400,000, retiring at 62 still works for a modest lifestyle. You’d arrive at 67 with a smaller balance and qualify for a larger pension.
Scott and Phil covered the specific impact of retirement timing in Episode 19 of the podcast, showing how even one year changes the maths significantly.
The Age Pension: your second income engine
The Age Pension is not a sign that your planning failed. It’s a core part of the Australian retirement system, and most retirees receive it in some form.
As of 20 March 2026, the full Age Pension pays $1,200.90 per fortnight ($31,223 per year) for singles and $1,810.40 per fortnight ($47,070 per year) for couples combined.
A single homeowner qualifies for the full pension with assessable assets below $321,500. For couples, the threshold is $481,500. The part pension extends up to $722,000 for singles and $1,085,000 for couples (current as at 20 March 2026).
Source: Services Australia. Updated each March and September.
The most effective retirement income strategy for the majority of Australians is to draw on super from 60 (or whenever you retire), then let the Age Pension supplement your income from 67 as your super balance draws down. This is not “living off the pension.” It’s living off a combination of your own savings and a government entitlement you’ve been paying taxes toward your entire working life.
Phil and Dan covered how the Age Pension actually works with real super balances in Episode 10 of the podcast and covered commonly missed pension opportunities in Episode 20. For more on how the system works, see our pension and Centrelink page.
Five strategies to make super last longer
Set up an account-based pension. Roll your super into an account-based pension rather than taking lump sums. Earnings are tax-free in pension phase (versus 15% in accumulation). Your money stays invested and growing while you draw regular income. For more on how this works, see our superannuation page.
Keep growth in your investment mix. A balanced portfolio returning 5 to 6% per year makes $600K last 5 to 10 years longer than a conservative portfolio at 3 to 4%. With 20 to 30 years of retirement ahead, keeping 50 to 60% in growth assets is generally appropriate. Scott and Phil covered this in Episode 1 of the podcast, showing how a conservative portfolio can run out 15 years earlier than a growth one. Phil also noted in Episode 22 that what most super funds call “balanced” is really a growth portfolio with 70% or more in growth assets.
Hold a cash buffer of one to two years’ expenses. This protects against sequencing risk. If markets drop in year one, you draw from cash instead of selling investments at a loss. For a deeper explanation, see our guide on sequencing risk in retirement.
Control spending in the early years. The first five years of retirement are often the most expensive (travel, home improvements, helping the kids). Every dollar you over-draw early is a dollar that can’t compound for the next 20 years.
Plan for the Age Pension from day one. Your drawdown strategy in the gap years directly affects your pension entitlement at 67. Drawing down to the right level by 67 can mean the difference between a part pension and a full pension, worth thousands of dollars per year.
For more on retirement planning, see our service page. Want to run your own numbers? Try the free Wealthlab super calculator. For a broader readiness check, take the retirement quiz.
Frequently asked questions
Can I live off super alone after retirement?
For a period, yes. Most Australians with $400,000 or more in super can fund the gap years between retirement and Age Pension eligibility at 67 from super alone. From 67, the Age Pension supplements your income as your super draws down. Living entirely off super with no pension for a full 25 to 30-year retirement typically requires $800,000 to $1,000,000 or more for a single person.
How much super do you need to retire comfortably in Australia?
The ASFA Retirement Standard (February 2026) recommends $630,000 for a comfortable single retirement and $730,000 for a couple at age 67. These assume home ownership and partial Age Pension support. If you want to retire earlier than 67, you need more to cover the gap years.
How much super should I have at 45?
The average super for men aged 45-49 is approximately $199,000 and for women approximately $152,000. To be on track for a comfortable retirement at 67, you’d ideally want $200,000 to $280,000 at 45, depending on income and contributions. With 22 years of compounding and SG contributions ahead, even an average balance at 45 can grow substantially.
How long will $900,000 last in retirement?
At $55,000 a year with balanced returns, $900K lasts approximately 20 to 25 years on super alone. If you retire at 60, you arrive at 67 with roughly $560,000 and qualify for a part Age Pension. Combined with pension support from 67, $900K can fund a comfortable retirement well into your 90s.
How much do I need to retire at 62 in Australia?
A single homeowner targeting a comfortable retirement from 62 would ideally want $500,000 to $600,000. A couple would want $700,000 to $800,000 combined. These figures assume balanced returns, moderate spending, and partial Age Pension from 67. Lower balances are workable for a modest lifestyle.
How much superannuation should I have to retire?
It depends on when you retire and what lifestyle you want. The minimum for a modest retirement at 67 is just $110,000 for singles (with the Age Pension doing most of the work). For a comfortable retirement, ASFA recommends $630,000 for singles and $730,000 for couples. For retirement before 67, add the cost of funding the gap years to those figures.
What if my super runs out?
If your super depletes before you die, the Age Pension provides a safety net. A single homeowner with minimal assets receives the full pension of $31,223 per year (March 2026). It’s not a comfortable income alone, but it covers the basics for a homeowner. Planning your drawdown to avoid complete depletion is ideal, but the pension ensures you won’t be left with nothing.
Should I keep my super invested after retiring?
Yes, for most retirees. An account-based pension keeps your money invested and growing while providing regular tax-free income from age 60. Moving everything to a bank account means paying tax on interest and losing the compounding benefit. The investment mix should shift slightly toward balanced or defensive as you age, but staying fully invested (rather than all-cash) is generally the better long-term approach.
Can you live off super alone after retirement? For the gap years between retirement and 67, yes, that’s exactly what super is designed to do. For the full 25 to 30 years of retirement, most Australians will and should combine super with the Age Pension. That’s not a shortfall. That’s the system working as intended.
What determines whether it works well is how your super is invested, how quickly you draw it down, and how effectively you transition to pension-supplemented income at 67.
If any of this has raised questions about your own situation, book a free chat with the Wealthlab team. No pressure, no jargon.