Salary Sacrifice at 30, 40 or 50: How Much Difference Starting Early Makes
An extra $3,000 a year into super started at 30, 40 or 50: what you put in, the extra at 67, and what it costs in take-home pay.
By the MoneyBackKit AU team · Updated 28 October 2026 · 2 min read
Salary sacrificing $3,000 a year (about $115 a fortnight) into super doesn't sound like much. Starting early is what makes it count, because each contribution has more years to grow.
$3,000 a year extra, started at different ages
| Start | You put in | Balance at 67 | Extra at 67 | Extra in today's dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From age 30 | $111,000 | $2,380,747 | $350,199 | $140,453 |
| From age 40 | $81,000 | $2,203,253 | $172,705 | $69,266 |
| From age 50 | $51,000 | $2,105,992 | $75,444 | $30,258 |
Without the extra contributions the balance at 67 would be about $2,030,548. At this salary, each $3,000 sacrificed lowers take-home pay by only about $2,040 a year because of the tax saved.
Before you start
- Money in super is locked until you reach preservation age and retire (or turn 65), so keep enough outside super for nearer goals.
- Employer super plus salary sacrifice must stay under the concessional cap.
- Ask your payroll team to set it up; it should show on your payslip and super statement.