If you’re in your late 60s or early 70s and wondering whether your finances stack up, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear: “Are we doing okay compared to other couples our age?”
The average net worth of a 70-year-old couple in Australia sits between $1.3 million and $1.8 million, based on ABS household wealth data. That figure includes property, superannuation and savings. But the average tells you only part of the story. What matters more is whether your money is structured to support the life you actually want, for as long as you need it to.
This article breaks down what the numbers look like, how they compare across age groups, and what they mean for your retirement.
What does “net worth” actually mean?
Net worth is simple: everything you own minus everything you owe.
At 70, most Australian couples have paid off their mortgage. That means the debt side of the ledger is often close to zero, which makes net worth at this age heavily weighted toward assets. For most couples, those assets break down roughly like this: family home ($700,000 to $1.2 million depending on location), superannuation ($400,000 to $600,000 combined), savings, investments and shares ($100,000 to $300,000), and other assets such as vehicles and collectibles ($50,000 to $100,000).
These are broad ranges. Your situation will depend on where you live, your career history, whether you’ve had investment properties and how actively you’ve managed your super over the years.
Please note: All figures and ranges in this article are approximate and drawn from aggregate data. They are 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.
The 2026 figures: what the data says
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Household Income and Wealth Survey, the median net worth for households aged 65 to 74 is approximately $1.15 million. For couples specifically, the figure is higher because two people have typically contributed to super and property across their working lives.
More recent KPMG analysis (June 2025) puts the average Australian household net worth at $1.66 million overall, with housing making up close to 70 per cent of that total.
For a 70-year-old couple in Australia, a realistic range sits between $1.3 million and $1.8 million for homeowners. That range shifts considerably for renters.
Homeowners vs renters: a big gap
Home ownership is one of the biggest factors separating retirement experiences in Australia. ABS data consistently shows the gap is significant. Homeowning couples aged 70 and over typically have a net worth of $1.4 million or above. Renting couples of the same age tend to sit closer to $300,000 to $400,000.
Owning your home does two things at once. It boosts your net worth on paper, and it dramatically reduces your weekly living costs. A couple who owns their home outright doesn’t need their super to stretch as far as a couple paying rent in retirement. That changes everything about how long your money lasts.
Average net worth by age in Australia (2026)
To put the 70-year-old figures in context, here’s how net worth typically builds across different life stages. These figures draw on ABS household wealth data and KPMG’s 2025 analysis.
| Age group | Median net worth | What’s driving it |
|---|---|---|
| 25 to 34 | $150,000 to $230,000 | Early savings, building a deposit |
| 35 to 44 | $400,000 to $550,000 | Mortgage equity growing, super building |
| 45 to 54 | $700,000 to $950,000 | Peak earning years, super accelerating |
| 55 to 64 | $1.1M to $1.5M | Mortgage often paid off, super near peak |
| 65 to 74 | $1.15M to $1.8M | Super drawdown begins, property still dominant |
| 75 and over | $900,000 to $1.3M | Gradual drawdown, estate planning in focus |
Sources: ABS Household Income and Wealth Survey 2023-24, KPMG Household Wealth Analysis June 2025.
Wealth in Australia peaks between 55 and 64, then gradually reduces as retirees draw on super and savings. By 70, property still makes up the largest slice of net worth for homeowners, which is why the retirement experience of homeowners and renters can feel so different.
How much super does the average 70-year-old couple have?
Super is usually the second-largest asset after the family home. By age 70, many couples are already drawing from their super through an account-based pension, which provides regular income while keeping the remaining balance invested.
Based on APRA and ABS data, average super balances at age 70 are approximately $250,000 to $320,000 for men, $180,000 to $230,000 for women, and $400,000 to $550,000 combined for couples.
A couple with $600,000 combined in super plus an owned home is generally above average and in a solid position for retirement, particularly once the Age Pension becomes available at 67.
Scott and Phil worked through what these super balance averages actually mean for retirement funding in Episode 19 of the Wealthlab Podcast. The reality is the average Australian retires with less than the ASFA comfortable standard requires, but that gap can often be bridged with the right planning.
Scott also talked about the psychology of money and net worth in Episode 8, including why your biggest financial risk at this stage isn’t the stock market or interest rates — it’s your psychology. The goal isn’t to die with the largest super balance possible. It’s to convert capital into confident living.
What does “comfortable” actually cost?
According to the ASFA Retirement Standard (spending figures updated quarterly, lump sums updated February 2026), a comfortable retirement for a couple requires around $77,375 a year. That covers regular domestic and occasional international travel, private health insurance, dining out, car replacement and household costs.
For a single person, the comfortable standard is $54,840 a year.
To generate that sustainably, most financial planners suggest total assets of at least $1 million to $1.2 million, including super, property and other investments. Most 70-year-old homeowning couples sit within or above that range, which means many retirees are actually in a better position than they realise.
A modest retirement for a couple costs around $52,800 a year. That still covers the basics but leaves less room for travel, extras or unexpected healthcare costs.
If you want to check how your own numbers stack up, the free Wealthlab super calculator gives you a quick read on where your retirement position sits today.
Does the Age Pension factor into net worth?
The Age Pension isn’t an asset, so it doesn’t add to your net worth figure. But it does reduce how hard your own savings need to work.
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 combined per fortnight ($47,070 per year) for couples.
Source: Services Australia. These figures are set by the Australian Government and are typically updated each March and September.
Even a part Age Pension makes a meaningful difference. A couple receiving half the pension gets an extra $23,000 to $24,000 a year without touching their super. That’s why net worth alone doesn’t tell the full retirement story. The structure of your income matters as much as the total figure.
For more on how eligibility works, see our guide on pension and Centrelink. Phil and Dan walked through real Age Pension case studies in Episode 10 of the podcast, and covered commonly missed Age Pension opportunities in Episode 20.
What if your net worth is below average?
Averages are useful benchmarks, but they’re not targets. Plenty of Australians retire comfortably on less, particularly if they own their home outright (which removes housing costs from the equation), are eligible for a full or part Age Pension, have relatively modest spending needs, and have structured their super drawdown efficiently.
What tends to matter more than the total figure is whether your assets are generating reliable income, whether you understand the Age Pension rules that apply to you, and whether your money is set up to last as long as you do.
If your net worth is above average but poorly structured, you can still run into trouble. Equally, a couple sitting below the average but with a clear plan can retire with confidence.
What if you’re still building wealth at 70?
Not everyone arrives at 70 with their financial picture settled. Some couples are still carrying a mortgage, still working part-time, or looking at ways to boost their position.
A few strategies worth knowing about at this stage:
Downsizer contributions. If you’re 55 or over and sell a home you’ve owned for at least 10 years, you can contribute up to $300,000 each (or $600,000 as a couple) into super from the sale proceeds, outside the normal contribution caps. This can significantly boost your super balance if you’re planning to downsize. Scott and Phil covered the traps to watch out for in Episode 2 of the Wealthlab Podcast.
Account-based pension. Keeping your super in an account-based pension rather than drawing it as a lump sum keeps it invested and growing, while providing regular tax-free income after age 60.
Estate planning. For couples in their 70s, it’s worth thinking about how your assets will pass to your partner and adult children. Super death benefits are treated differently depending on who receives them, and getting your binding nominations and estate plan right matters more than most people realise. Scott and Phil covered the key traps in Episode 12 of the podcast.
Aged care planning. The final 24 months of life can consume a significant portion of lifetime healthcare spending. Having a plan avoids rushed decisions later.
For more on structuring your retirement income, see our retirement planning page or our superannuation page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average net worth of a 70-year-old couple in Australia in 2026?
Based on ABS household wealth data and KPMG’s 2025 analysis, the average net worth of a 70-year-old couple in Australia sits between $1.3 million and $1.8 million. This includes the family home, superannuation and savings. Homeowners sit at the higher end; renters considerably lower.
Does the family home count as part of net worth?
Yes. Net worth includes all assets minus all debts, so your home’s value counts. For most 70-year-old Australian couples, the family home is the single largest asset and makes up the majority of their net worth.
How much super does the average 70-year-old couple have?
Combined super balances for couples around age 70 are typically $400,000 to $550,000. Men generally have higher individual balances than women due to career patterns and the historical super gap. Many couples at this age are drawing from their super through an account-based pension.
Is $1.5 million a good net worth at 70?
For most Australian couples, $1.5 million in net worth including an owned home is a strong position. Combined with the Age Pension, it can support a comfortable retirement lifestyle as defined by ASFA’s standards. Your situation will depend on your spending, health and how your assets are structured.
Can renters retire comfortably with less net worth?
Yes, but it takes more careful planning. Renters carry ongoing housing costs that homeowners don’t, so they generally need higher super balances or investment income to cover the gap. The Age Pension assets test also treats renters differently, with higher asset thresholds for non-homeowners.
Does net worth keep growing after 65 in retirement?
For many couples, net worth holds relatively steady in the early years of retirement as investment returns offset drawdowns. It tends to decline gradually from the mid-70s onwards as healthcare costs rise and super drawdowns accelerate. Property values in most parts of Australia have historically continued to grow, which can offset some of that decline.
What’s the difference between average and median net worth?
The average is pulled upward by very wealthy households. The median is the midpoint where half of Australians sit above and half below. The median is generally a more realistic benchmark for most people. The ABS median for households aged 65 to 74 is around $1.15 million; the average for couples is higher at $1.3 million to $1.8 million.
How does the cost of living affect retirement net worth in Australia?
Rising costs for healthcare, utilities and groceries gradually erode purchasing power in retirement. A couple whose net worth is heavily concentrated in their home but has limited liquid assets may find their day-to-day spending constrained even though their net worth figure looks healthy. What matters is the balance between assets you live in and assets that generate income.
What should you do with this information?
Knowing the average is a starting point. What it can’t tell you is whether your specific setup, your super structure, Age Pension eligibility, spending habits and estate plans, is working as efficiently as it could.
Many couples we speak with at Wealthlab are surprised to find they’re in a stronger position than they thought. Others have good total wealth but are drawing it down inefficiently, or missing Age Pension entitlements they’re actually eligible for.
If any of this has raised questions about your own situation, book a free chat with the Wealthlab team. No pressure, no jargon.