Super Consumers Australia 2025 Retirement Savings Targets: What You Need to Know

For millions of Australians, planning for retirement is an exercise in uncertainty. How much is enough? What if your super balance falls short? In 2025, Super Consumers Australia (SCA) has updated its widely-discussed retirement savings targets, providing a fresh, data-driven benchmark for Australians of all ages. Whether you’re a decade from retirement or just starting your career, these new targets can reshape your financial roadmap.

What Are Super Consumers Australia’s Retirement Savings Targets?

SCA is an independent consumer advocacy group that champions fairer outcomes for superannuation members. Unlike the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), which sets higher retirement targets based on a ‘comfortable’ lifestyle, SCA focuses on what most Australians realistically spend in retirement, using data from actual household expenditure surveys and the latest economic trends.

In March 2025, SCA updated its savings targets for singles and couples retiring at age 67:

• Singles: $310,000 (up from $302,000 in 2023)
• Couples: $445,000 (up from $424,000 in 2023)

These figures assume retirees own their home and are eligible for the Age Pension. The targets aim to deliver a “modest but adequate” standard of living, covering essential expenses and a little extra for recreation, without requiring an extravagant nest egg.

How Do SCA’s Targets Compare to ASFA’s?

ASFA’s often-cited ‘comfortable’ retirement standard recommends a much higher super balance:

• Singles: $595,000
• Couples: $690,000

The difference comes down to assumptions. ASFA’s targets include private health cover, more frequent holidays, and upgraded household items. SCA’s approach, on the other hand, prioritises essential costs, like food, utilities, transport, and health, but still allows for some leisure spending. It reflects the spending patterns of typical retirees, especially those who will rely on a mix of super and the Age Pension.

This matters, because SCA’s data shows that fewer than 20% of Australians actually reach ASFA’s ‘comfortable’ targets, while the majority are closer to SCA’s more modest benchmarks.

2025 Policy Updates: What’s Changed and Why?

The 2025 update from SCA factors in rising living costs, persistent inflation, and changes in the Age Pension eligibility and superannuation guarantee (SG) rate:

• Super Guarantee: The SG rate increased to 11.5% from July 2024, and is legislated to reach 12% by July 2025. This will help boost future balances, particularly for younger workers.
• Inflation Impact: SCA adjusted its targets to reflect higher costs for essentials, especially health and energy bills, which have outpaced general inflation.
• Age Pension Adjustments: The government’s 2025 policy tweaks to the Age Pension asset and income test thresholds mean some retirees can access higher part-pensions, reducing the pressure to self-fund everything.

These changes mean Australians can expect a slightly higher baseline for what’s considered a reasonable retirement balance, but the targets remain far more achievable than the industry’s more ambitious standards.

Practical Tips to Meet (or Beat) the 2025 Targets

So, how do you stack up against SCA’s new benchmarks? Here are some practical strategies to boost your retirement readiness:

• Check Your Super Balance: Log in to your super fund portal or use the ATO’s myGov platform to see your current balance and projected growth.
• Make Voluntary Contributions: Even small, regular after-tax (non-concessional) contributions can make a big difference over time. The government’s co-contribution scheme can further boost low and middle-income earners’ balances.
• Consolidate Multiple Accounts: Fees from multiple super accounts can erode your savings. Consider consolidating into a single, low-fee fund.
• Review Your Investment Mix: Younger members might consider growth-oriented investment options, while those nearing retirement may prefer balanced or conservative options. Review your fund’s performance and adjust as needed.
• Factor in the Age Pension: Use SCA’s free calculators to estimate your eligibility for the Age Pension and how it interacts with your super withdrawals.

It’s worth noting that SCA’s targets are guides, not rules. Everyone’s circumstances are unique—your health, home ownership status, and family situation all play a part in shaping your ideal retirement target.

Real-World Example: Meeting the Target in Practice

Take “Jenny”, a 45-year-old teacher in Melbourne. With a current super balance of $140,000, she’s on track to reach SCA’s $310,000 target if she continues contributing at the SG rate and tops up her super with $1,000 a year in voluntary payments. By age 67, she’ll also qualify for a part Age Pension, ensuring her essential expenses are covered. For Jenny, SCA’s target feels achievable, not intimidating.

The Bottom Line

Super Consumers Australia’s 2025 retirement savings targets provide a realistic, accessible goalpost for everyday Australians. Rather than aiming for an unattainable “comfortable” benchmark, these targets reflect the real financial lives of retirees. As policy and economic conditions shift, staying informed and proactive is key. Use SCA’s updated targets as a checkpoint—and remember, it’s never too late to take action for a more secure retirement.