How the Super Fees Comparison Calculator Works (With a Worked Example)
Compares how two super funds’ fees change your balance over time. This guide walks through what each input means, the formula behind the answer and a worked example using typical Australian figures. You can follow along in the free Super Fees Comparison Calculator.
Why it matters
Superannuation is Australia’s compulsory retirement savings system. Employers pay the super guarantee into your fund, contributions are taxed concessionally, and the money is generally preserved until you reach preservation age and retire. Small changes to contributions, fees or investment returns compound over decades.
What you need to enter
The calculator asks for 5 inputs. The table shows each one with the example value used later in this guide.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Balance ($) | 100000 |
| Return before fees (%) | 7 |
| Fund A fees (%) | 0.5 |
| Fund B fees (%) | 1.5 |
| Years | 25 |
The formula
Balance = starting balance × (1 + return − fees)^years for each fund.
Worked example
Entering the example values above gives these results:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost of higher fees | $101,430.68 |
| Fund A balance | $482,769.91 |
| Fund B balance | $381,339.23 |
The headline figure is $101,430.68 (cost of higher fees). Change any input in the calculator and every result updates instantly, so you can test different scenarios side by side.
How the cost of higher fees changes with balance
The table below keeps every other input at the example value and moves only “Balance ($)” up and down by 10% and 20%. It shows how sensitive the cost of higher fees is to that one figure.
| Balance ($) | Cost of higher fees |
|---|---|
| 80,000 | $81,144.54 |
| 90,000 | $91,287.61 |
| 100,000 | $101,430.68 |
| 110,000 | $111,573.74 |
| 120,000 | $121,716.81 |
At 80,000 the result is $81,144.54; at 120,000 it is $121,716.81. If a small change in this input moves the answer a lot, it is worth double-checking that figure before you rely on the result.
A practical tip
Look at total fees including admin, investment and indirect costs, not just the headline admin fee.
Keep going
Before relying on the number, read Getting the Most From a Super Fees Comparison Calculator: Tips and Common Errors. You might also find these guides useful:
- Pension Minimum Drawdown Calculator: Formula, Example and What the Result Means
- Using a Super Guarantee Calculator in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Superannuation Balance Projection Explained for Australians
Frequently asked questions
- Are the projections guaranteed?
- No. Investment returns vary from year to year. Treat projections as a guide for planning, not a forecast.
- What is the super guarantee rate?
- It is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025.
- Should I get advice?
- For decisions like salary sacrifice, contribution strategies or retirement income, a licensed financial adviser can look at your full situation. This site provides general information only.
Run your own numbers in the Super Fees Comparison Calculator.
Open the calculatorGeneral information only. Rates and thresholds change, usually on 1 July. Confirm current figures with the ATO or the relevant authority, and get personal advice for decisions about your situation.