For Australian retirees
Can a couple retire at 60 with $500,000 in super?
Here's what the numbers say for a couple (homeowner) in 2026, based on current ATO and Services Australia rules.
Retiring at 60 is the milestone most Australians target — when super first becomes accessible, while you're still healthy and active. Seven years of fully self-funded living lie between now and the Age Pension, so your starting balance has to stretch further than at any later retirement age. With $500,000 combined in super, you'd likely qualify for a full or near-full couple Age Pension from 67 — the couple homeowner assets test lower threshold is $481,500.
Your super is projected to run out around age 79. The Age Pension from 67 provides around $47,070 per year in additional support.
Age Pension eligibility at 67
Full pension — $1,810/fn
With $500,000 combined in super, you'd likely qualify for the full Age Pension of $1,810 per fortnight from age 67. This significantly extends your super runway.
Your super runway
Lasts until age 108
Currently showing ASFA comfortable standard for singles.
With Age Pension
Age 108
Without Age Pension
Age 76
Balanced returns (7%/yr), $50K cash, Age Pension from 67 (includes base rate + pension supplement + energy supplement). Adjust your spending to see the impact.
This is based on standard assumptions
Your situation is different.
The full tool reveals what this page can't show you:
- What if you work part-time through your 60s? (TTR pension scenarios)
- What if you add extra super contributions before retiring?
- What if your partner has super too? (couple scenarios)
- Your actual salary, super balance, and other assets — not fixed assumptions
- Year-by-year breakdown with your real numbers
Free. No sign-up required. Takes about 2 minutes.
Modelled outcomes only. Not financial advice. Projections assume a couple (homeowner), $65K combined annual spend in today's dollars, $50K in cash and investments, and a 7% p.a. balanced return. Age Pension amounts include base rate, pension supplement, and energy supplement — the full payment a pensioner receives. Estimates use 2025–26 Services Australia thresholds. Past returns are not indicative of future performance. Consult a licensed financial adviser before making retirement decisions.
What if you had more time or more savings?