Make extra contributions to grow your super

Note: this article provides information on making personal contributions to your GESB Super or West State Super account. If you are a Gold State Super member, there are different rules for contributing to your super. Please read the Gold State Super essential brochure for more information.

When you think ahead, what kind of retirement do you imagine?

While contributions from your employer help your super to grow, they may not be enough to provide the lifestyle you would like to enjoy in retirement. By adding a little extra to your super, you could make a huge difference to your retirement savings. The earlier you start, the more your savings can grow.

A recent study by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australian (ASFA)¹ shows that, in general:

• If you were a couple who own your home and are looking for a 'comfortable' retirement, you would need to spend $77,375 a year
• If you were looking for a 'modest' retirement lifestyle as a couple who own your home, you would need to spend $51,299 a year

There are a number of easy ways that you can contribute to your super. Here's what you need to know to get started today.

You can make contributions before tax

Concessional (before-tax) contributions include contributions:

• Made by your employer
• Made from your salary before your employer deducts any tax (known as salary sacrifice)
• For which you have claimed a tax deduction, if you are eligible

Currently, your employer must pay 12% of your salary into your super. These contributions are known as 'Superannuation Guarantee' (SG) and they are required by law.

Salary sacrificing is when you agree to give up part of your salary and have it paid into your super instead. If you can afford to do this it can be an effective way to increase your super, and you may pay less tax on your income.

For details on how to make salary sacrifice contributions, please see the salary sacrifice page.

You can make contributions after tax

Non-concessional (after-tax) contributions are payments that you can make after your income tax has been deducted. These include personal after-tax contributions and spouse or partner contributions.

You can make personal after-tax contributions if you have money available that you would like to put towards your retirement. This could include income from other sources such as an inheritance or the sale of assets.

Spouse or partner contributions allow you to contribute to your spouse or partner's super account. These contributions may help to grow your joint retirement savings, especially if either of you have taken time out of the workforce or are lower income earners.

For details on how to make non-concessional contributions, please read the Contributing to your super brochure.

You may be eligible for a government super contribution

The Super Co-Contribution and low-income superannuation tax offset (LISTO) are super payments made by the Commonwealth government.

If you make an after-tax contribution to your super and you will earn less than $62,488 for the 2025/26 financial year, you may be able to take advantage of the Super Co-Contribution. To find out more, please visit the co-contributions page.

If you are a GESB Super member and you earn $37,000 or less a year, you may be eligible to receive an automatic LISTO payment into your super. For more information, please visit the Australian Taxation Office Government super contributions page.

Be aware of your contribution limits (caps)

While the Commonwealth government provides special tax rates to help you use your super to save for retirement, there are some limits, known as caps. To find the contribution caps that apply to your super scheme for the 2025/26 financial year, please visit the how much can you contribute page.

Take the next steps today

You can start today to take the first steps towards making extra contributions to grow your super.

If you'd like to find out how much money you'll need to support the lifestyle you want in retirement, try the Retirement planning calculator.

For more information on each type of super contribution option, and how and when you can make these contributions, please read our Contributing to your super brochure.

You can start to contribute to your super in Member Online. For more information, please read the Member Online help guide: How can I make a contribution (BPAY, cheque, employer)?

¹ The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), Retirement Standard, aged around 67, December quarter 2025.