Smart ways to grow your super as you approach retirement
Retirement isn’t a single moment. It’s a long, wonderful chapter – and the choices you make today help determine how confidently you’ll step into it.
Whether you’re 10 years or more away, or rounding the final bend into retirement, your super will always benefit from some love. Here’s how to make the most of your contribution opportunities.
3–10 years from retirement – Building momentum
These are your prime years for super growth. With time on your side, even small boosts now can snowball into a bigger and better retirement. Maximising contributions as you head towards retirement can significantly influence your final balance.
Boost with concessional contributions
Concessional (before tax) contributions are employer contributions; salary sacrifice and personal deductible contributions. The concessional contribution cap for the 2025/26 financial year is $30,000*.
A salary sacrifice arrangement is a simple, tax effective way to increase your super while lowering your taxable income. Think of it as small sacrifices now boosting your enjoyment in retirement later.
Add after tax contributions for extra fuel
Non concessional (after tax) contributions help grow the tax-free component of your super. These are currently capped at $120,000* for the 2025/26 financial year.
These contributions directly increase the tax-free component of your balance – a subtle but powerful way to improve potential after tax outcomes in retirement.
1–3 years from retirement – making the most of your final opportunities
This is your opportunity to optimise the last of your contribution strategies before your super needs to work for you in retirement.
Top up while there’s still time
You can continue making concessional contributions up to the cap amount – and if your total super balance is under $500,000 on 30 June of the previous financial year, you may be able to access unused concessional cap amounts from the past five years under the carry forward rules.
Non concessional contributions are also available too, provided your total super balance is below the relevant Australian Taxation Office (ATO) threshold on 30 June of the previous financial year. Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to contribute more than the annual cap by bringing forward up to two future years of contributions under the
bring-forward arrangement.
Consider a downsizer contribution
If you’re considering selling your home over the coming years, a downsizer contribution could be a powerful boost to your future super balance. Eligible Australians aged 55 or over can contribute up to $300,000 (or $600,000 per couple) from the sale of a qualifying home. Best of all, this contribution does not count towards your concessional or non concessional caps.
You don’t need to buy a new home and there’s no upper age limit later – just make sure the property meets the requirements and has been owned for at least 10 years. This can be a smart long-term strategy to plan ahead for a more comfortable, flexible retirement.
There are some rules and criteria to meet to make a downsizer contribution – but it’s worth exploring if you plan to sell your home as it can significantly strengthen your retirement income options.
Keep track of your caps
No one wants an unexpected tax bill. The ATO offers online services via myGov to help you monitor both concessional and non concessional contributions, which can be especially useful if you’re contributing across multiple funds.
Keep in mind that myGov generally shows your contribution totals as at 30 June of the previous financial year, so it may not reflect your most recent contributions.
Review your investment approach
Do your investments match your financial goals? Check your super fund’s range of investment options – and align your investments to your risk appetite.
Ready to create your retirement?
Retirement is more than a destination – it’s a lifestyle you deserve. And the right contribution strategy today brings you closer to the freedom and confidence you need tomorrow.
* From 1 July 2026, the concessional contribution cap and the non concessional contribution cap will increase to $32,500 and $130,000 per financial year, respectively.
Source: MLC
