For a lot of Aussie women, thinking about retirement feels like something to worry about “later.” Between working, raising families, paying bills and juggling everyday life, saving for retirement can easily end up at the bottom of the list.
But here’s the thing—retirement isn’t just a stage of life; it’s a goal worth planning for. And the earlier you start (or the more intentionally you act now), the better off you’ll be when the time comes to stop working.
That said, we know the playing field isn’t always fair. Women are more likely to take time out of work for caring duties, work part-time, or earn less overall due to the gender pay gap. The result? On average, Australian women retire with significantly less super than men.
But this isn’t about doom and gloom. It’s about what you can do—starting from where you are, with what you’ve got.
Know where your super’s at
First things first: find out how much super you’ve actually got. Many people have multiple super accounts from past jobs, and those fees can quietly eat away at your balance over time.
Log into your MyGov account, link it to the ATO, and check if you’ve got lost or multiple super accounts. Consider consolidating them into one fund (just check for any exit fees or insurance cover before you do). That way, you’re not paying multiple fees or losing track of your money.
Make small extra contributions when you can
Even small top-ups to your super now can make a big difference later, thanks to compounding interest. If you’re employed, you can ask your employer to set up salary sacrificing, where a portion of your pay goes into super before tax. This can also reduce your taxable income.
If salary sacrifice isn’t an option, you can still make after-tax contributions whenever you have a little extra. The government may even chip in with a co-contribution if you’re a low or middle-income earner.
You don’t need to put in huge amounts. Even $20 a week adds up over time especially if you’ve got 10, 20 or 30 years until retirement.
If you’re out of work or working part-time you’re still allowed to contribute
If you’ve taken time off for kids, caring for someone, or just aren’t working full-time, you can still contribute to your super yourself. It doesn’t have to be much, and you can do it as a one-off or whenever it suits you.
In some cases, your partner might be able to make contributions to your super on your behalf and get a tax offset too. Worth looking into if you’re managing the household and not bringing in income right now.
Check what your fund is actually doing with your money
Not all super funds are created equal. Some perform better than others. Some have lower fees. Some invest in ethical companies, some don’t.
Take a moment to review your fund’s performance, fees, and investment options. Most super funds let you switch between conservative, balanced, and growth options, depending on your age, risk comfort, and how far off retirement is.
If you’re not sure what’s right for you, it’s okay to ask for help. Most funds offer free advice or tools online to guide your decisions.
Keep your financial future front of mind
It’s easy to focus on the now—paying bills, keeping up with rent or the mortgage, making sure the kids have what they need. But your future self is going to need support too.
Think of your super as part of your self-care plan. It’s not selfish or greedy to want financial security later in life. It’s smart, it’s responsible, and it’s absolutely possible.
No matter what your situation looks like today, there’s always something you can do to boost your retirement savings. Whether it’s consolidating your accounts, setting up a small regular contribution, or simply learning more about how super works every step counts.
You don’t need to earn a high income or be a finance expert to retire comfortably. You just need to take action, however small, and keep going.
Because when the time comes to slow down, you deserve to do it with freedom, choice and confidence.
