Shifts in Contribution Habits
Australians are increasingly monitoring their superannuation, with over 44.7% checking their balance monthly as of 2026. This marks a significant shift from the traditional ‘set and forget’ approach, indicating a more hands-on attitude towards financial planning.
Money magazine has observed this trend over recent years. By 2026, more than four in ten respondents reported monthly super balance reviews. This increase in engagement also influences how people contribute to their super funds.
Vanessa Walker, Managing Editor at Money, commented, “The 40s are a turning point. Super stops feeling abstract and starts feeling like a goal you can actually shape.” She highlights the importance of clear information for members. “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.
Most Australians begin making voluntary contributions to their super when they reach their 40s, with 20.7% starting at this stage. Meanwhile, contributions from those in their 20s have increased slightly from about 15% to just over 16%, showing a positive trend towards earlier engagement.
The share of Australians starting super contributions in their 50s has decreased slightly, from around 18% in 2025 to about 15% in 2026. This suggests that older Australians may be feeling higher cost of living pressures. Vanessa Walker 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.”
Concerns and Motivations
Concerns about changes to government super rules remain a top issue for Australians, affecting 39.4% of respondents. This concern is closely followed by anxiety about not having enough funds for retirement, which worries 38.5% of people.
Market volatility and fees also worry Australians, but these issues rank lower, with 31.5% and 20.4% of respondents expressing concern, respectively. These findings highlight a mix of long-term anxiety and short-term volatility influencing how people view their retirement savings.
Better long-term performance and lower fees are the key factors that would persuade Australians to switch super funds. These themes have been consistent across multiple annual surveys conducted by Money.
The Money Your Super, Your Say survey collected 642 responses between 26 January and 8 February 2026, providing valuable insights into the changing attitudes towards superannuation among Australians.
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.
