Super engagement surges as Australians take charge of their financial future
Money magazine
Australians are watching their super more closely and are taking a more hands-on approach to how it’s invested.
Over the past few years, Money has seen a steady shift from “set and forget” super to regular check ins. By 2026, monthly reviews had become the norm among Money readers, with more than four in ten (44.7%) saying they check their balance each month, well ahead of ‘a-few-times-a-year’ habits that dominated earlier on.
That rise in engagement flows through to how people contribute. The age most Australians begin to voluntarily tip extra into super is the 40s, as mid-career workers look for ways to accelerate their retirement savings. Around one in five (20.7%) respondents started contributing between 40 and 49, with many others beginning in their 30s and 50s.
The share of Australians starting in their 50s has eased slightly, falling from around 18% in 2025 to about 15% in 2026 suggesting some older Australians may be feeling higher cost of living pressures. At the same time, younger contributors edged upward, with those in their 20s rising from about 15% to just over 16%, signalling a small but positive shift toward earlier engagement.
Vanessa Walker, Managing Editor at Money, says this is a practical shift that super funds should welcome.
“The 40s are a turning point. Super stops feeling abstract and starts feeling like a goal you can actually shape.”
“When members get simple, honest explanations and can see the long-term impact of each extra dollar, they’re far more likely to make a start and stick with it,” she said.
She adds that younger readers stepping up earlier is a promising sign: “Even small contributions in your 20s can make a meaningful difference. What stands out is that people want to do the right thing. They just need the right information at the right time.”
Australians remain uncertain about the stability of the super system, with changes to government rules emerging as the top concern. Around four in ten (39.4%) respondents said shifting legislation worries them most, placing it just ahead of fears about not having enough for retirement (38.5%), which concerned a similar share of readers.
Market volatility (31.5%) and fees (20.4%) also featured, but at noticeably lower levels. Together, the results show a mix of long-term anxiety and short-term volatility that shapes how people view their retirement savings.
“Readers tell us the same things every year: they want steady performance, competitive fees and transparency as to where their money is invested that helps them feel confident.
”When it comes to changing funds, Australians are clear about what would convince them to move.
Better long-term performance is the strongest motivator, followed closely by lower fees, two themes that have been consistent across multiple annual surveys Money conducted.
A smaller but still meaningful group said they would switch if funds provided clearer, easier to understand information, or if the digital tools and apps were easier to use.
Together, the results paint a consistent picture. Australians are more engaged, more willing to act and very clear about what matters. Strong long-term performance and fair fees come first; transparency and easy to understand information help people feel in control and ready to contribute when they can.
Money Your Super, Your Say survey received 642 responses and was conducted between January 26 and February 8, 2026. The surveys examined Australians’ engagement with super, contribution habits, fund preferences and barriers to contributing more.
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