For a comfortable retirement at 67, ASFA benchmarks put the required super balance at $630,000 for a single homeowner and $730,000 for a couple, assuming you also receive a part Age Pension. For a modest lifestyle, the figures drop to $110,000 single and $120,000 couple, since the Age Pension covers most of the cost at that level. Here’s how those numbers break down and what they mean for your own plan.
The short version
For a comfortable retirement at 67, ASFA benchmarks put the required super balance at $630,000 for a single homeowner and $730,000 for a couple, assuming you also receive a part Age Pension. For a modest lifestyle, the figures drop to $110,000 single and $120,000 couple, since the Age Pension covers most of the cost at that level. Here’s how those numbers break down and what they mean for your own plan.
In this guide
- ASFA Retirement Standard: Comfortable vs Modest
- Why the Lump Sum Figures Look Lower Than Expected
- What If You Want to Retire Before 67?
- These Are Benchmarks, Not Your Number
Read the complete guide on “how much super do I need to retire” by Nasser Zreika.
ASFA Retirement Standard: Comfortable vs Modest
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) publishes a quarterly benchmark of what retirees actually spend. As at the March 2026 quarter, for a homeowner household aged 65-84:
| Comfortable (annual) | Modest (annual) | Lump Sum at 67 (Comfortable) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $55,923 | $36,434 | $630,000 |
| Couple | $78,566 | $52,473 | $730,000 |
A comfortable lifestyle covers private health insurance, a reasonable car, regular leisure and dining out, and occasional overseas travel. A modest lifestyle covers the basics, better than the Age Pension alone, but with little room for extras.
Why the Lump Sum Figures Look Lower Than Expected
ASFA’s lump sum estimates assume you draw down your capital over time and top it up with a part Age Pension, rather than living off investment returns alone.
That’s why $630,000 can fund $55,923 a year, well above what a typical safe withdrawal rate would generate from that balance without pension support.
What If You Want to Retire Before 67?
These ASFA figures assume retirement at 67, when the Age Pension becomes available. If you’re planning to retire earlier, at 60 or 63 for example, you’ll need to self-fund the years before you can access either your preserved super or the Age Pension.
See our guides on retiring at 60 in Adelaide and the gap years between 60 and 67 for how to plan for that period specifically.
These Are Benchmarks, Not Your Number
ASFA benchmarks are national averages. Your actual number depends on whether you own your home outright, where you live, your health costs, and the lifestyle you actually want.
A couple who travels frequently may need well above the comfortable benchmark; a couple with modest habits and a paid-off home may need less.
Our guide to retiring at 67 step-by-step walks through building your own figure rather than relying on the national average alone.
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Ready to find out where you stand?
Book a free, no-obligation appointment with Nasser Zreika to see how this applies to your situation.
General Advice Warning: This article contains general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making any financial decisions, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances and seek personal financial advice. Nasser Zreika and Lincoln Wealth Advisers are Authorised Representatives of Synchron, AFS Licence No. 243313.