How to work out your Gold State Super benefit
You can use our Gold State Super calculator below to work out how much you could have in your Gold State Super account by the time you retire.
By using the calculator, you could explore your options and get answers to questions you might have, such as:
- ‘What if I work another four years?’
- ‘How will my balance change if I get a pay rise?’
- ‘How much will I have if I start working part time?’
Your latest member statement has all the information you need to use the calculator. You can log into or register for Member Online for a copy of your latest statement.
Please note, this calculator is intended as a guide only. It does not take into account ‘other benefit components’ that may form part of your benefit, such as transferred service from the WA Public Sector Pension Scheme or the Non-contributory Service Scheme. For a full benefit estimate, contact your Member Services Centre on 13 43 72.
Gold State Super calculator
Your benefit estimate
Important
This calculator is designed to illustrate how a Gold State Super benefit is calculated, based on factors such as your period of service, contribution rate and final remuneration.
It is intended to provide information and not advice. It does not take into account your specific objectives, full financial situation or needs. For a full benefit estimate, contact your Member Services Centre on 13 43 72.
The results generated by this calculator reflect the information you enter relating to your period of service, contribution rate and final remuneration. If the actual values for these items differ from the information you enter then the current value of your Gold State Super benefit will be different from the results produced by the calculator. The value of your Gold State Super benefit at the time of your retirement will also be different from the current value.
This calculator does not take into account ‘Other Benefit Components’ that may form part of your benefit.
Tax has not been taken into account, and depending on your circumstances, may apply and significantly affect the value of your benefit. Results produced by the calculator are subject to the other assumptions listed.
You should not rely on the results produced by the calculator for the purposes of making decisions about your future, including matters relating to Family Law. We recommend that you obtain advice from a qualified and appropriately licensed financial adviser, taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation and needs before making any such decisions.
Neither the State of Western Australia ('the State') nor the Government Employees Superannuation Board ('GESB') nor any employee or officer of the State or GESB or any other agency or instrumentality of the State can accept any responsibility for any decisions that you might make in relation to information generated by this tool. Any legal liability of any type whether under the law of contract, negligence or otherwise is expressly excluded, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Assumptions
- The results displayed by this calculator are in today's dollars and not in future dollars.
- The results only include your completed service and your final remuneration, reflecting information entered by you. It is assumed that this information is correct.
- The results assume that you are eligible to retire and receive a retirement benefit today.
- No allowance is made for periods of Non-contributory Service, or benefit entitlements transferred from the WA Public Sector Pension Scheme, or higher benefits available if you are a police officer or magistrate.
- This calculator cannot be used if there’s been a payment from your Gold State Super benefit under transition to retirement rules.
- No allowance is made for taxation of any kind.
- The governing rules relevant to calculation of your benefit entitlement do not change.
If any of these assumptions are not true then the results produced by the calculator will not reflect your actual entitlement.
How we work out your Gold State Super
We use a formula to work out your final super benefit. This generally happens when you retire, leave the WA public sector or you pass away.
The formula takes into account:
- Your Completed Months of Service - the number of completed months you’ve contributed to your account while working in the WA public sector
- Your Average Contribution Rate - the average percentage of your salary you’ve paid into your account over your membership
- Your Final Remuneration - your average salary based on three dates during the last two years of your membership
Once we have this information, we can work out your benefit in three steps:
1. We determine your ‘Selection Date’
Your selection date is either the 1st or 16th day of the month, two months before the month of your birthday:
- If your birthday falls on one of the first 15 days of the month, your selection date is the 1st
- If your birthday falls in the second half of the month, your selection date is the 16th
For example, if your birthday is on 25 August, then your selection date will be 16 June. If your birthday is 8 August, your selection date will be 1 June instead.
2. We calculate your Final Remuneration
Your Final Remuneration is your average salary based on:
- The date you stop working
- Your Selection Dates for the previous two years
We multiply your fortnightly remuneration2 on these dates by the number of days between each date and then divide this by 14 (the number of days in a fortnight).
3. We calculate your Final Benefit
We use your Completed Months of Service and Average Contribution Rate to work out your ‘Service Multiple’:
Finally, we multiply your Service Multiple by your Final Remuneration to work out your benefit:
For examples of how we work out benefits, see our Gold State Super essentials brochure.
Changes to your salary or service could affect your benefit
You might not know it but any changes to your salary or the amount of time you work in the WA public sector could have a big impact on your benefit.
For example, if you accept a lower-paid position with your current employer as a result of ill health or changes in your workplace, your benefit could be reduced. However, you can protect your benefit if you’re eligible for salary maintenance.
For more information, read the FAQs below or call your Member Services Centre on 13 43 72.
Call us before changing your contributions
Your benefit could also be affected if you change the amount you contribute to your account each fortnight.
You may even choose to have your contributions paid into another super account. If you do withdraw from Gold State Super, you won’t be able to reopen your membership or contribute to your account in future.
Before you decide to make any changes, it’s worth calling your Member Services Centre on 13 43 72 and asking for a benefit estimate.
1 If you stop working in the WA public sector or reduce your work hours to less than one hour a week, you will no longer be an active Gold State Super member. However, if you re-join the WA public sector or increase your work hours within 12 months, you may apply to continue your membership.
2 Your Final Remuneration is calculated based on your equivalent full-time salary, even if you are working part-time.
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 07 June 2026.