Seven reasons to pay attention to your super now
Your super is your money and the decisions you make today can have a big impact on your financial future. Whether you’re starting your first job or getting ready to retire, it’s never too early – or too late – to pay attention to your super.
1. It’s compulsory
Your employer is required to pay contributions into a super fund on your behalf. This is known as the Superannuation Guarantee (SG). Make sure you’re aware of the SG rate (currently 12%) and make the money work for you – it is yours after all. Complete the choice form and give it to your employer to make sure your contributions are going through to your Mercer Super account. Then download and login to the Mercer Super app to keep track of your employer contributions.
2. The snowball effect
The younger you are the more you may gain from regular contributions to your super – due to the 'snowball effect' of compounding returns. Any investment returns your super earns have the potential to earn even more returns and build your balance over many years. If you’d like to put more money into your super to take advantage of compounding returns, and you’re in a financial position to do so, then salary sacrifice could be an option for you.
3. You could live a long time
Many Australians can now expect to live well into their eighties.1 This means your super may need to last 20-30 years if it’s to provide an income right through your retirement. The earlier you start thinking about your super, the more comfortable you’re likely to be later in life. Use the Retirement Income Simulator to help model your retirement and see how long your super might last.
4. It’s a valuable asset
Your super is a valuable asset that will likely become one of your largest financial resources once you’ve left the workforce. Today’s decisions can have a big impact on how much money you have, to support your lifestyle in years to come. If you think you have more than one super account, you could think about consolidating all of your super together into one account to make it easier to manage and potentially save on fees.2
Even more benefits for Mercer Super members
Mercer Super members also have access to a range of support and advice services. This includes financial advice services at no additional cost, and access to Care & Living with Mercer4 which offers ageing care support for you or a family member.
5. It can be tax effective3
Your super is taxed differently to most other investments and savings. There are special tax rules that apply to super contributions, which can save you money in the short-term and also help you save even more for your future.
6. Access to insurance
Super enables access to different types of insurance, often without the need for medical checks. Mercer Super members also have access to several types of insurance. While the types of coverage differ, they all share a common goal of providing financial security for you and your loved ones if something ever happens to you.
7. Save toward your first home
You may be able to use your super to save for your first home. The First Home Super Saver Scheme allows eligible members to make additional contributions to their super and withdraw them later – along with any earnings – to help fund the purchase of their first home.
Now we’ve got your attention…
Watch our webinar and discover seven practical reasons to pay attention to your super.
Duration: 39 mins
Date recorded: 30 Mar 2026
Explore more: it’s your time to grow
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
2 Combining your super can be a significant financial decision. If you decide to combine all or part of your other super account(s), carefully consider how this may have an impact on your existing insurance, contribution and tax arrangements, fees or charges, or any other benefits you may lose. We recommend you seek financial advice before deciding whether to combine your super accounts.
3 Any information on tax in this document is based on our interpretation of current tax laws which are subject to change. We recommend you obtain your own tax advice when considering the application and impact of tax laws that may affect you. No warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information is given and no responsibility is accepted by Mercer or any of its related entities for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information.
4 Care & Living with Mercer is a service provided by Care & Co Match Pty Ltd ABN 61 663 701 906. When accessing the service please read the Care & Co Match website.Terms of Use are available at mercersuper.careandcomatch.com.au
This information is based on information received in good faith from sources we believe to be reliable and accurate. Any reference to legislation reflects our understanding of the legislation and is not a substitute for legal advice. Before making any decision concerning the impact and application of laws to your circumstances, we recommend you obtain your own legal or other appropriate professional advice. No warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information is given and no responsibility is accepted by Mercer or any of its related entities for any loss or damage arising from any reliance on the information.
Disclaimer: This content has been prepared on behalf of Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence #235906, the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust (‘Mercer Super’) ABN 19 905 422 981. Any advice is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (including incorporated documents) and Financial Services Guide available at mercersuper.com.au. The product Target Market Determination can be found at mercersuper.com.au/tmd. The material contained in this document is based on information received in good faith from sources within the market and on our understanding of legislation which we believe to be accurate.
Care & Living with Mercer is a service provided by Care & Co Match Pty Ltd ABN 61 663 701 906. When accessing the service please read the Care & Co Match website Terms of Use which are available at mercersuper.careandcomatch.com.au.
* Any information in this material regarding legal, accounting or tax outcomes does not constitute legal advice or an accounting or tax opinion and prior to relying and acting on this information it is important that you seek independent advice from a qualified lawyer or accountant regarding this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. 'MERCER' is a registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. 'MERCER' is a registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.