How the plan works
Each year we take out the income you want, less any Age Pension, and grow the rest at your return assumption after inflation. Because Age Pension limits rise with inflation, keeping everything in today’s dollars keeps it simple: $79,000 in the plan buys what $79,000 buys now.
The Age Pension is worked out under both the assets test and the income test, and you get the lower amount. As your balance falls, your pension rises, so it acts as a safety net in your 80s and 90s. More on our approach in the Retirement & SMSF hub and how much do you need to retire?
Worked examples by balance
- How to retire with $500,000 in super: can you make it work?
- How to retire with $750,000 in super: how much can you withdraw?
- How to retire with $1 million in super: what portfolio should you build?
- How to retire with $1.5 million in super: how do you protect your wealth?
- How to retire with $2 million in super: how do you manage it yourself?
Frequently asked questions
How much super do I need to retire in Australia?
It depends on the income you want and whether you’ll get the Age Pension. ASFA’s comfortable budget for a homeowner couple is about $79,000 a year and assumes about $730,000 in super with a part Age Pension. Enter your own numbers above to see how long your money could last.
When can I get the Age Pension?
Age Pension age is 67. How much you get depends on the assets test and the income test, and Centrelink pays the lower of the two. For a homeowner couple, a part pension stops once assessable assets reach $1,121,000 (from 20 September 2026).
What is a cash buffer in retirement?
A cash buffer is one to three years of spending held in cash. You pay your income from it, so you don’t have to sell shares after a market fall. You top it up after good years.
Is this financial advice?
No. The plan is general information based only on the numbers you enter. It doesn’t consider your full objectives, financial situation or needs.
General information only, not personal advice. It doesn’t consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Results are illustrations using the assumptions shown and aren’t guaranteed. Age Pension figures from Services Australia (20 September 2026); your actual entitlement depends on Centrelink’s assessment.