r/AusSuperannuation

I’m 33 and have around $330k in super.

At the moment I’m salary sacrificing $254 a fortnight on top of my employer contributions, so about $6,600 a year.

I’m thinking about stopping the voluntary contributions and putting that money into ETFs instead.

My thinking is that $330k at 33 is already a pretty decent starting point, and with compulsory employer contributions continuing and another 30+ years of compounding, I’m pretty confident I’ll end up with more than enough for retirement.

The bigger goal for me is actually being able to retire before I can access my super.

So rather than putting every extra dollar into super, I’d like to build up an investment portfolio outside super that can act as a bridge between early retirement and being able to access my super.

Basically, have the ETFs fund the earlier years, then eventually transition onto super once I can access it.

I know salary sacrificing is tax effective and that leaving money in super for decades is powerful. But I’m starting to think that having a decent amount invested outside super is more important to me than maximising the amount I have locked away until retirement age.

Would you keep salary sacrificing in my position, or redirect the $254 a fortnight into ETFs and focus on building that early retirement bridge?

Keen to hear what others would do.

How much in Super is enough for you personally to stop salary sacrificing and start investing outside it or enjoying life?

Especially considering the new Div 296 changes coming in, those with a long time horizon may be affected by it.

Been playing around with some online calculators, and it seems like many years of consistent investment in super will create a massive nest egg. One that will be extremely hard to draw down even with generous withdrawal rates.

Would you ease off after a while and let the compounding do its work to a respectable amount (and probably run low during retirement)? Or salary sacrifice until the point where the snowball will hit the Div 296 limit (assuming the 3m threshold will rise 30% every decade in line with historical inflation). Or would you keep salary sacrificing every year up to the concessional limit until you stop working (FIRE or full retirement), and accept the amount above the threshhold being taxed extra on earnings, considering the overall tax advantages.

How much would that number be for you personally?

Hi guys I’m new at working. Before I ask my employer I wanted to ask you. In my last payment I got paid $3300 and $490 superannuation but today I got $3400 and $330 superannuation, whats the reason can someone explain?

HI.

Not mine but the wife's . today she got a letter from an unknown Super mob , the Acc is in a name that isn't quite right . it had her middle name & maiden surname on it but the right address . it's tied to her ATO and when she checked it had between $15-$20,000 ( ATO records ) in it . it was also opened in 2017 , she's worked for the same Employer from 2008-09 till 2025 .

she contacted the super mob , to which they couldn't say much , security reasons but did confirm what name was on the Acc , they DIDN'T have her first or married name on it but the address was correct . they are sending out a form to "updated" info in the Acc .

Anyone heard of something like this or experienced this before . I'm thinking , IF not hers then either the "system" has screwed up and someone will be looking at possible fraud if something gets changed on this Acc , most likely her .

the letter was sent out because the super mob "updated" the mail address on the Acc .

Hi all,
Just picking some brains.

I’m with aware super. I’ve got just over 100k in high growth and I’m 24.

I see people splitting it up into percentages is that self managed or can I talk to aware and tell them I want 25% international etc?

Cheers

Hi, has anyone ever lodged a complaint on tax ombudsman's website. My complaint is against ATO and the way they handled my case and I'm hoping for a better outcome with Tax Ombudsman. How soon did u hear back from Tax Ombudsman after lodgng a complaint online on their website? How was your experience?

I no longer live in Australia.

Need advice from people that have done contribution splitting. Both(41M & 40F) of our account with Hostplus. Talked to hostplus over phone. they gave me a form but also told(almost insisted) me to talk to ATO before submitting the form. As I understanding I can contribute up to 85% of last years contribution to my spouse's account. there is a fee of $60. we are not over concessional contribution cap. Not sure what else is there to talk to ATO is about? is it just a generic advice or a "requirement" to talk to ATO.

Our super balances have gone down 3k each in the last 48hours. Both are invested using the balanced option. Anyone care to hazard a guess why ?

I’m 40yo and living in Thailand, I just had to close my SMSF due to compliance issues( being overseas 2yos) any recommendations for best superannuation fund to put into.

Balance is around 240k and not working so no more contributions, unless I head back to oz at some stage.
I won’t need insurance on fund as I’m Overseas, just looking for low fees with a reliable fund if this exists!?

Was suggested host plus or Australian super?

Thanks 🙏

Hi all.

I am a 39M and am looking for the best growth option to switch my super to. I will be the first to admit that the options out there confuse me and I am never sure if the comparison websites are accurate because of sponsored listings etc.

The Vanguard Super Lifecycle looks decent to me but are there any options that people out there have and are/have been happy with? I’m looking to achieve maximum growth, as I’m sure we all are! Ideally I’d also like something that’s hands off for me and easy to set up.

Cheers.