Super vs Invest Calculator

See how putting extra money into super compares with investing it outside super until retirement. Both options use the same amount from your take-home pay.

How this tool works

Reviewed 12 September 2026. Current legislated rules from 2026-27, including enacted 2027 changes.

Calculation outline

Compares extra concessional super contributions with investing the same reduction in take-home cash outside super.
Prices contributions using progressive income tax, LITO and Medicare before investing any cash left over; applies contributions tax, Division 293 and carry-cap expiry.

Worked example

Example: employer super and extra concessional contributions are counted together against the available concessional cap entered in the scenario.

Limits

The model is for a single Australian resident in a taxed accumulation fund and excludes defined-benefit funds and many individual tax circumstances.
Fees and future indexation are excluded. Investment taxes use a fixed salary marginal rate and assumed annual realisation of super capital growth. Opening carry room uses its selected earliest expiry.
Division 296 is estimated in both paths using grossed-up dividends and annually realised capital gains with the one-third fund discount. Applies 15% to the earnings share above $3 million and another 10% above $10 million. Excludes fund-specific attribution, loss offsets and transitional CGT adjustments. Future threshold indexation is not forecast.
The 2026-27 estimate uses closing super; later years use the higher opening or closing balance, before that year’s estimated liability is deducted. Tax is assumed paid from super at year-end; actual timing and fund tax may differ.

Sources

This tool provides general information and illustrative estimates only. It does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not personal financial, tax or legal advice.