Adding extra money to super can change your retirement balance. How it is taxed depends on the type of contribution. Limits and access rules also matter, so an illustration is a starting point—not a recommendation to contribute.
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Extra super contributions
There are two main contribution types. Before-tax, or concessional, contributions include employer payments, salary sacrifice and personal contributions for which a tax deduction is claimed.
Personal after-tax contributions for which no deduction is claimed are generally non-concessional. They come from money already taxed and use a different cap.
Understanding the category matters more than the payment method. Two transfers into the same account can have different tax treatment. Check current ATO rules before acting.
A contribution cap is a limit, not a suggested amount to put into super.
Annual contribution caps
Moneysmart lists the standard 2026–27 concessional cap as $32,500. Employer contributions count towards it, together with other concessional contributions across your funds. These contributions are usually taxed at 15% in the fund.
The standard non-concessional cap is $130,000 for 2026–27. Your total super balance and other eligibility rules can affect whether you can use it.
Carry-forward and bring-forward rules may change an eligible person’s available cap. Exceeding a cap can have tax consequences. Check your own available amount with the ATO; the calculator does not do this.
An extra $20, $50 or $100 a week
An extra $20 a week is $1,040 a year; $50 is $2,600; and $100 is $5,200, before any contribution tax. These are arithmetic examples, not suggested contribution amounts.
My Tomorrow treats its weekly extra options as before-tax contributions. It deducts 15% contribution tax, then adds the annual net amount at each year-end in its projection. It uses a fixed 3.5% annual net real growth assumption.
The result is illustrative. It does not calculate your take-home-pay cost, check your available cap or assess whether adding money to super suits your circumstances.
What else matters before adding money?
Your money generally stays in super until you meet a condition of release. Adding money can therefore affect the cash available for everyday costs and unexpected expenses.
Money contributed to super is invested. Future returns can be positive or negative, and fees and insurance costs can affect the balance. A projection cannot guarantee an outcome.
The next question is how much retirement income you may need. That starts with the life you want to fund, rather than someone else’s balance.
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Frequently asked questions
How does salary sacrifice count towards my cap?
Generally, salary sacrifice and employer contributions both count towards the concessional cap. The cap applies across your funds, not separately to each account. The amount you can add is not necessarily the full headline cap.
How is a personal deductible contribution different?
The tax deduction changes how an eligible personal contribution is treated: the claimed amount counts towards the concessional cap. A valid notice of intent and your fund’s acknowledgement are required before claiming. A bank transfer alone does not complete that process.
Can contribution tax be more than 15%?
Yes, additional tax can apply in some circumstances, including under the Division 293 rules for higher incomes. My Tomorrow uses a simple 15% assumption and does not calculate extra tax or assess your personal tax position.
Does the calculator show my take-home-pay cost?
No. It models extra before-tax contributions and a flat 15% contribution tax. It does not calculate personal income tax, payroll arrangements or the effect on your disposable income. An extra $50 in the model is not a statement that your take-home pay falls by $50.
How can I explore an extra-contribution scenario?
It helps to compare the same starting balance and retirement age with and without an extra contribution. The My Tomorrow Retirement Calculator can help you explore what your super could become. It is a starting point, not a guarantee that your money will last or a recommendation about when to retire.
My Tomorrow is an independent retirement-awareness tool. This is general information, not personal financial advice.
Sources: Moneysmart: super contributions · ATO: personal super contributions
Information checked 1 October 2026.