As you enter and make your way through what will likely be the majority of your working life, this is the period where your super is likely to see the largest amount of growth. While this stage of life often goes hand-in-hand with other financial responsibilities such as children, mortgages and other debts, there are still opportunities to further give your super a boost.
Turn up the heat on your salary sacrifice contributions
If you’re in a financial position to do so, you could consider starting to salary sacrifice or increasing the amount you sacrifice. By sacrificing a bit more of your salary you’re helping to ensure financial security when you retire, while saving on income tax today.
Example: increasing salary sacrificing amount from $50 to $100 a fortnight1
Transform personal contributions into tax deductions
You might also consider making personal contributions from your take-home pay or other money you’ve received, such as an inheritance. You can choose to make periodic contributions or, if your situation allows, you can make one-off contributions of up to $120,000 each financial year. You may even be eligible to claim a tax deduction on some or all of these contributions.
Visit our dedicated personal contributions webpage to learn more, including how to make a personal contribution and claim it as a tax deduction.
Example: $120,000 one-off contribution2
Team up with your spouse to get the most out of your super
When contributing to super most people think about putting money into their own account. In most circumstances though, people can also contribute to, or receive contributions from their spouse’s super.
This is particularly useful for couples where one is a low-income earner, has reduced hours or is taking some time out of the workforce. Depending on your circumstances the contributing spouse may also be eligible for a tax offset of up to $540.
Visit our dedicated webpage to learn more about these contributions, including eligibility criteria and how to make a contribution
Don’t hope for the best, plan for it with financial advice
As a Mercer Super member you can have access to financial advice about your super at no additional cost. Talk to us now to learn more about your options.
Read next:
Grow your super
From your first job to retirement, take steps to boost your super and secure your financial freedom.
Younger than 30: Laying the foundation
As a younger person you have one of the most powerful super building strategies available to you. You have time.
Ages 59 and beyond: Balancing withdrawals and growth
As retirement draws closer, people often look to downsize their home or work less, but not retire completely.
1. Assumptions: Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions commenced at age 18 in 2026 and ceased at age 65. Salary sacrifice arrangement is $50 per fortnight, commencing at age 20, increasing to $100 a fortnight at age 35 and ceasing at age 65. All future figures have been discounted for inflation. Salary based on median all-persons income from abs.com.au, last released in 2022/23. SG is 12%. Growth oriented super based returns of 3.75% p.a. after inflation. Difference in returns (which may be positive or negative) and fees will alter the outcome. Future government decisions relating to contribution caps have been assumed to remain high enough to accommodate all contributions. The example shown may not apply to your own situation, so we recommend you consider your options carefully and seek financial advice if you’re unsure if making additional contributions is right for you. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance.
2. Assumptions: Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions commenced at age 18 in 2026 and ceased at age 65, as well as a one-off after-tax contribution of $120,000 at age 45. All future figures have been discounted for inflation. Salary based on median all-persons income from abs.com.au, last released in 2022/23. SG is 12%. Growth oriented super based returns of 3.75% p.a. after inflation. Difference in returns (which may be positive or negative) and fees will alter the outcome. Future government decisions relating to contribution caps have been assumed to remain high enough to accommodate all contributions. The example shown may not apply to your own situation, so we recommend you consider your options carefully and seek financial advice if you’re unsure if making additional contributions is right for you. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance.
Disclaimer: Issued by Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (MSAL) ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence 235906, the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 (‘Mercer Super’).
Any advice provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice we recommend you obtain your own financial advice and consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide available at mercersuper.com.au. The product’s Target Market Determination setting out the class of people for whom the product may be suitable can be found at mercersuper.com.au/tmd.
Please note that any information on tax or references to legislation in this material is based on our interpretation of current laws which are subject to change. We recommend you obtain your own tax or other professional advice when considering the application and impact of tax laws or other 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.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance The value of an investment in Mercer Super may rise and fall from time to time. The investment performance, earnings or return of capital invested are not guaranteed.
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