One of the biggest decisions you can make about your superannuation is the investment option you choose.

Most funds offer a menu.

Two of the most popular are “balanced” and “high growth.” The choice sounds arbitrary, but over the decades, making the right choice can be worth a fortune.

Let’s compare them.

How the two options differ

A balanced option spreads your money across shares, property, bonds, and cash.

A balanced portfolio typically holds around 60% to 76% in growth assets, while the rest sits in more defensive assets.

A high growth option tilts far harder towards shares and often holds 85% or more in growth assets.

That means bigger swings, but higher expected returns over time.

What the returns tell us about your superannuation

History gives us a useful guide.

Over the 10 years to 30 June 2026, AustralianSuper’s balanced option returned an average of 8.47% a year.

Its high growth option returned 9.64% a year over the same period.

That difference may look small, but it is anything but.

On a large balance compounded over decades, roughly one extra percent a year adds up to serious money.

However, the trade-off is volatility.

High growth options fall harder when markets wobble, and if investors panic and switch at the bottom, they lock in the loss.

Discipline is the price of those higher returns.

Which option suits you?

The answer depends on your time horizon. If retirement is 20 years away, you can usually ride out the bumps, and as such, high growth may suit you.

If you are close to retirement, a steep fall could hurt.

A more balanced mix may help you sleep at night. Many people shift towards safer assets as they near retirement.

On top of that, your risk tolerance matters just as much as your age. The best strategy is the one you can actually stick with.

Three ASX funds that lean growth

Some investors also hold ASX-listed funds directly, inside or alongside their superannuation. Three growth-tilted ETFs stand out.

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) tracks the biggest ASX companies, and the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ) offers similar broad local exposure. By contrast, the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) adds global technology heavyweights.

Together, they show what a growth tilt can look like. Just remember that more growth means more volatility.

Foolish Takeaway for your superannuation

There is no single right answer for your superannuation.

High growth has historically delivered more over the long run. Balanced offers a smoother ride.

Match the option to your timeline and your temperament. Then leave it alone and let compounding do the work.

The post Should I target high growth or balanced strategies for my superannuation? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 super ASX ETFs to buy and hold until 2046
• Why it’s vital for investors to look to international shares for growth: Expert 
• Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? It’s dividend payday!
• Own NDQ, GAME, or other Betashares ASX ETFs? It’s pay day for you!
• 3 amazing ASX ETFs I’d buy this month

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Superannuation is a very effective tool for Australian investors to generate returns at a lower tax rate.

Pleasingly, superannuation has a lower tax rate than many individuals, trusts and companies. The way that superannuation works, and the nature of how we access the money, means it’s very easy to invest for the long term inside the super system.

In my view, being paid passive income is one of the best elements of owning shares. Receiving money into our bank account every year for no effort sounds good to me.

How does superannuation play into passive income? Investors lose less of the passive income payments to tax.

Superannuation looks comparatively much more appealing because if a full-time working Aussie receives passive income in their own name, they could lose a third (or more) of that passive income to tax, significantly reducing the effectiveness of the passive income return.

In my opinion, superannuation is therefore a more appealing place to invest because of the lower tax rate in the accumulation phase of life, compared to an individual’s tax rate if they’re a full-time earner.

In retirement, a person’s superannuation tax rate could be 0%. You can’t get any better than that.

Of course, each Australia’s tax position is different, so I’ll just look at targeting a particular income goal from here and ignore the tax rates.

How much is needed in superannuation for $100,000 of annual passive income?

Receiving $100,000 in dividends each year sounds excellent to me. I’m definitely a long way from that target, but I’d love to receive that much in dividends each year.

Australians need to consider what types of investments they want to own and what size dividend yield comes with those investments.

I think ASX shares are the best choice for passive income. The attached franking credits are an excellent bonus.

How much is needed to earn $100,000 annually depends on the dividend yield of the portfolio.

For example, a portfolio with a 6% dividend yield would require $1.67 million. Meanwhile, a 4% dividend yield would require a $2.5 million portfolio.

As you can see, different dividend yields require different-sized portfolios to reach the target. Therefore, the numbers are heavily influenced by what ASX shares superannuation investors choose.

The types of ASX dividend shares I’d buy

There are various options on the ASX that can provide good yields to investors. Aussies could choose quality companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs) or listed investment companies (LICs).

Some of my favourite ideas for dividend growth and a solid starting yield include Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI), Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), Propel Funeral Partners Ltd (ASX: PFP) and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL).

On the commercial property side of things, I like names such as Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) and Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW).

Finally, the LICs that I really like include MFF Capital Investments Ltd (ASX: MFF), L1 Long Short Fund Ltd (ASX: LSF), Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG) and Future Generation Australia Ltd (ASX: FGX).

These aren’t the only attractive ASX dividend shares for superannuation investors, but I think they’re an excellent starting point.

The post How much is needed in superannuation to target a $100,000 annual passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• $1,000 buys 584 shares in an incredibly reliable ASX dividend stock
• 2 ASX dividend shares with yields above 7%
• Should you buy, hold, or sell Wesfarmers shares?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• How much do I need in my superannuation to earn an annual $60,000 passive income?

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Australia, Future Generation Global, L1 Long Short Fund, Mff Capital Investments, Propel Funeral Partners, Rural Funds Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Mff Capital Investments, Rural Funds Group, Telstra Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa, Universal Store, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There are very few ASX dividend stocks I’d view as a more reliable option for passive income than Future Generation Global Ltd (ASX: FGG).

When I think about which businesses I’d want to own for dividends, I’d want to choose names that can provide both a good dividend yield and a rising payout.

If an investor wants passive income, then they’ll probably be looking for a good yield upfront. But, growth of the payout is also important to help offset inflation and hopefully provide steadily rising dividends to make our bank accounts increasingly well-off.

Future Generation Global is a listed investment company (LIC) that offers numerous positives. Let’s look at the positives and why I’d buy it with $1,000 (or more).

Philanthropic efforts

The business is not like many other ASX dividend stocks. It’s a LIC which provides investors exposure to a portfolio of funds of different fund managers.

All of those fund managers work for free so that Future Generation Global can donate 1% of its net assets each year to charities focused on youth mental health.

Some of the charities that are supported by Future Generation Global include BackTrack, Bighart, Life4Life, Mind Blank, Prevention United, Project Rockit, Reachout, Smiling Mind and Youth Opportunities.

I think it’s a really great set-up for both investors and the charity contributions.

Diversification

Future Generation Global can provide investors with excellent diversification because it’s invested in the funds of 15 different fund managers.

There are more than 3,700 different underlying shares in the ASX dividend stock’s portfolio, so Future Generation Global actually offers enormous diversification across North America, the UK, Europe, Asia and so on.

Its money is spread across a number of fund managers including Antipodes, Yarra Capital Management, Munro, WCM Investment Management, GCQ, Ellerston Capital, Vinva, Langdon, Plato and Paradice.

Dividend yield

The ASX dividend stock recently announced its FY26 interim dividend for shareholders – 4.2 cents per share and provided guidance that the final dividend per share for FY26 will be another 4.2 cents per share.

That brings the potential FY26 annual payout to 8.4 cents per share. At the current Future Generation Global share price, that translates into a possible grossed-up dividend yield of 7%, including franking credits, at the time of writing.

That would generate around $70 of grossed-up dividend income with a $1,000 investment for FY26 by buying 584 shares.

That’s more appealing to me than a term deposit, particularly when it’s combined with its rising dividend.

Rising payouts

Future Generation Global has increased its annual payout each year since FY19, so investors have already had several years of dividend growth. It also has a profit reserve of 66.4 cents per share, which suggests it can fund close to eight years of dividends based on the FY26 dividend level.

Pleasingly, the guidance the business has provided for FY26 translates into year-over-year growth of 5%. That’s a solid rate of growth, in my opinion.

But, it’s not the only ASX share I’d buy with $1,000. There are a few other compelling opportunities.

The post $1,000 buys 584 shares in an incredibly reliable ASX dividend stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $100,000 annual passive income?
• How to invest $15,000 for passive income in retirement
• How much superannuation is needed to target a $100,000 annual passive income?
• How much is needed in superannuation to target a $70,000 annual passive income?
• How much is needed in superannuation to target $60,000 in annual passive income?

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Future Generation Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It was a busy week for Australia’s top brokers. This has led to a number of broker notes being released. 

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone:

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

According to a note out of Macquarie, its analysts have retained their outperform rating and $25.10 price target on this supermarket giant’s shares. This follows news that the company has walked away from a potential $4 billion deal to buy Petbarn’s owner Greencross. Coles revealed that it has ceased talks with private equity firm TPG Capital over the potential buyout of the pets and vets business. Macquarie believes the news removes an overhang. Though, it concedes that the market may still price lingering questions on strategy given the share price performance around the news. Overall, the broker believes the long-term strategy in the Supermarkets business remains intact and continues to see growth opportunities from increased private label penetration and retail media. The Coles share price ended the week at $23.21.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this retail giant’s shares with a reduced price target of $6.00. While the broker suspects that FY 2027 could be a tough year for retailers like Harvey Norman, it feels this is more than priced in. Bell Potter highlights that Harvey Norman’s shares are trading on a 1-year forward P/E ratio of ~13x, which it believes is attractive. In addition, it continues to see mid-longer term growth catalysts. This includes new store-driven growth in international retailing (UK, Malaysia, Croatia), the refit program in Australia, and the expansion of brand partnerships in the mid- premium end of the whitegoods market. Bell Potter also sees opportunities to grow its real estate portfolio as Australia’s single largest owner in large format retail with a global portfolio of ~$4.6 billion. The Harvey Norman share price was fetching $4.78 at Friday’s close.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

Analysts at Morgans have retained their buy rating on this sleep disorder-focused medical device company’s shares with a slightly trimmed price target of $40.97. According to the note, Morgans believes the divestment of the MatrixCare business for US$490 million crystallises a disappointing financial outcome (ResMed paid US$750 million in 2018). However, strategically, the broker believes the transaction makes sense. It notes that it simplifies the portfolio and retains Brightree and MEDIFOX DAN, while exiting a lower-growth, non-core software business. In addition, net proceeds will largely be returned to shareholders via an accelerated share repurchase, which it believes should substantially offset earnings dilution from both the MatrixCare disposal and the recently completed Noctrix acquisition. As a result, it remains positive and continues to see lots of value on offer here. The ResMed share price ended the week at $28.75.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Coles vs. Woolworths. Which ASX consumer staples stock is the best buy?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Coles ends talks for Greencross acquisition
• 3 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy for a self-managed superannuation fund
• How much do I need in my superannuation to earn an annual $60,000 passive income?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When investing for the long term, the next few months are far less important. 

What is important is whether your investments give you exposure to companies, industries, and regions that could still be relevant in a decade or two.

With that in mind, here are three top ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that could be worth buying and holding for the long term.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives investors exposure to some of the world’s best growth companies.

This fund owns 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange. Examples include Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).

What makes this fund attractive over a 20-year period is the way its holdings sit close to the big profit pools of the digital economy.

Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, chips, software, digital advertising, ecommerce, streaming, and consumer technology are not short-term market themes. They are areas where huge amounts of spending, talent, and innovation are likely to keep flowing.

Some companies in the fund will lose momentum over time. Others may become even more important. That is the advantage of using an ETF. Investors can own the broader ecosystem rather than trying to guess exactly which company will dominate in 2046.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF offers a different lens on technology.

Many investors look at tech through a US market lens, but Asia is central to the global digital economy. It is home to major businesses involved in semiconductors, memory chips, hardware, ecommerce, online platforms, gaming, and digital services.

Examples of holdings include SK Hynix (NASDAQ: SKHY) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM).

This fund is not a low-risk option. It is concentrated in one region and one sector, and investors need to be comfortable with volatility, currency movements, and geopolitical risk.

But the long-term case is still compelling. Asia is where a large part of the world’s digital infrastructure is built, and it is also home to enormous consumer markets that continue to move online.

By 2046, the region’s technology leaders could be playing an even larger role in global markets.

VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT)

The VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF gives investors a more selective way to own global shares.

This fund looks for international companies that are considered to have strong competitive advantages and are trading at attractive valuations.

That makes it different from a standard global ETF. Rather than just owning the largest companies in the market, this ASX ETF is trying to identify businesses with qualities that can protect profits over time. That could include strong brands, cost advantages, intellectual property, network effects, or high switching costs.

Examples of its holdings include Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) and Nike (NYSE: NKE).

The fund’s role in a long-term portfolio is discipline. It gives investors exposure to global businesses, but with a filter that looks beyond popularity and market size.

Over a long period, that combination of competitive strength and valuation awareness could be valuable as market leadership changes and investors move between different sectors, countries, and themes.

The post 3 super ASX ETFs to buy and hold until 2046 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The ASX ETF market is set for a record year – Here are the best performers so far in 2026
• Why it’s vital for investors to look to international shares for growth: Expert 
• Own NDQ, GAME, or other Betashares ASX ETFs? It’s pay day for you!
• 3 amazing ASX ETFs I’d buy this month
• SK Hynix IPOs in the US. Here’s what that means for ASX investors

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf, and Nike. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Nike, Novo Nordisk, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Nike, Nvidia, and VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

At age 55, you’re on the home stretch before retirement, so it’s important to know if your superannuation balance is on track.

At this age, you’re just five years from reaching your preservation age. This is when you can access your superannuation balance if you’ve stopped working.

You’re also around 10 years from the average retirement age in Australia.

The clock is ticking, so do you know how much is in your superannuation? And how does it compare to others the same age as you?

Here’s a breakdown of what the average Aussie has in their super at age 55, and also what you should have at this age to retire comfortably when the time comes. Because unfortunately, the two numbers aren’t the same.

Average superannuation balance at age 55

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 55, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

ASFA’s data shows that at age 55 to 59, the average Australian male has around $319,743 in superannuation. The average female in the same age bracket has approximately $242,945.

So, how does your balance compare to the average Aussie the same age?

How does this compare to what I actually need in my super to retire comfortably?

That’s the catch. 

Even if you’re on track with the rest of the population, you still might not have enough to fund a comfortable retirement when the time comes.

In order to retire comfortably, ASFA estimates that it’ll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year. It’ll cost couples living together closer to $78,566 per year in total.

These figures also assume you’ll start your retirement at age 67. It also assumes that you’ll receive a part Age Pension around this time and that you own your home outright.

In order to fund this type of comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at age 67. Meanwhile, couples will need around $730,000 combined at the same age.

How do I know if I’m on track at age 55?

ASFA has a nifty tool to help calculate what you should have in your superannuation at age 55 in order to reach the balance you need by age 67.

It shows that, at this age, Australians should have close to $399,000 in their superannuation in order to reach their goal.

Of course, if you’re planning to retire a little earlier than 67, or you think you’ll need to pay mortgage repayments or rental fees in your retirement years you’ll need to account for these costs on top of this estimate. 

You can see that, at an average $319,743 for men or $242,945 for women, many Australians are already falling behind.

Good news! It’s never too late to boost your superannuation balance

At age 55, you’re still several years away from retirement, so there’s still time left for your superannuation to catch up.

The easy way to boost your balance at this age is to make extra contributions however you can. Individuals can make concessional (before-tax) super contributions, such as salary sacrificing, which are taxed at a reduced rate. You can also make after-tax payments within your annual limits. 

You’ll also want to check that your fund is performing well and that the risk profile of your portfolio suits your own. 

Then you can let compound growth do the rest of the heavy lifting. 

The post Average superannuation balance for 55-year-olds in Australia. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Coles vs. Woolworths. Which ASX consumer staples stock is the best buy?
• If I invest $10,000 in Westpac shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?
• How much super does a 55-year-old need to retire comfortably?
• Here’s why I’d buy and hold CSL and Cochlear shares for 10 years
• The superannuation portfolio that lets you retire at 60, not 67

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When investors think of ASX consumer staples shares, two names dominate.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW).

Both sell products households need in every economic climate, and both generate mountains of cash. But they are not identical investments.

So which one looks the better buy today? Let’s compare them.

The share price story

The two giants have travelled very different paths in 2026.

Woolworths shares have staged a strong recovery this year.

They are up around 32% year to date. By contrast, Coles has been steadier, rising roughly 6% over the same period.

That rally has left Woolworths looking pricier.

As a result, the broker Bell Potter recently held a cautious view on the stock, setting a price target of $35.50, slightly below the share price at the time of writing.

Comparing these ASX consumer staples on dividends

Income investors often buy supermarkets for their reliable dividends. Here, the picture is interesting.

Analysts expect Coles to issue fully-franked dividends of 75.5 cents in FY26 and 82 cents in FY27. At the time of writing, that FY27 forecast implies a yield of about 3.6%.

Woolworths is tipped to pay 99.5 cents in FY26 and $1.13 in FY27. That works out to a forward yield closer to 2.9% at the time of writing.

On the headline numbers, Coles offers the more attractive yield. But income is only part of the story.

Growth and quality

Coles has been executing well.

The company has grown its earnings steadily and kept a tight grip on costs. Investors have long valued its consistency and defensive earnings base.

Woolworths remains the larger business. Its scale gives it advantages in buying and distribution, and recent results suggest margins are stabilising after a tough patch.

So the choice is really about style.

Woolworths is priced for a recovery and scale. Coles is priced for steady income and discipline.

Foolish Takeaway

Both Coles and Woolworths are high-quality ASX consumer staples shares. Both hold dominant positions in a defensive industry.

Right now, Coles arguably looks the better value on dividends and steadiness. Woolworths offers more upside if its turnaround keeps building.

Neither is a bad long-term option for a defensive portfolio.

For income-focused investors, these ASX consumer staples remain two of the most watchable names on the market.

The post Coles vs. Woolworths. Which ASX consumer staples stock is the best buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to make $50,000 of passive income from ASX shares like CBA
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Coles ends talks for Greencross acquisition
• 3 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy for a self-managed superannuation fund
• How much do I need in my superannuation to earn an annual $60,000 passive income?

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are 55 and wondering whether your superannuation is on track, you are not alone.

It is one of the most common questions Australians ask.

The good news is that there are clear benchmarks to aim for. The less good news is that many people fall short.

Let’s break it down.

What a comfortable retirement actually costs

The most widely used benchmark comes from the ASFA Retirement Standard.

This tool estimates what retirees actually spend.

According to this standard, a single homeowner needs about $54,240 a year for a comfortable lifestyle. A couple needs roughly $77,375 a year.

To fund that, ASFA suggests a lump sum of around $630,000 for a single person.

Couples need about $730,000 between them.

Both figures assume you own your home and draw a part Age Pension.

How much superannuation you need at 55

Here is the important part.

Those targets apply at retirement age, which is typically 67. At 55, you still have time on your side.

You generally cannot access your superannuation until age 60, and the Age Pension does not kick in until age 67.

So a 55-year-old has roughly a decade of compounding still to come.

That is quite important. Money invested today has years left to grow. A balance that looks light at 55 can still reach the target by 67.

The catch is that many Australians are behind.

Typical balances in the 55 to 64 age bracket sit well below the ASFA figure.

Building your superannuation from here

If you are behind, you have several levers to pull.

Salary sacrificing extra into superannuation is one of the most powerful. Concessional contributions are taxed at just 15% for most people, which is well below most marginal tax rates.

Making sure your money is invested sensibly is just as important. Many funds let you choose your investment mix.

Some investors also hold ASX shares and funds directly.

One popular option is the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS). This ETF tracks the 300 largest companies on the ASX, giving you instant diversification in a single trade.

VAS also pays regular dividends, which can be reinvested to compound over time.

Low-cost index funds like VAS are a common building block for growth-focused portfolios.

They are simple, cheap, and broadly diversified.

Foolish Takeaway

So how much superannuation does a 55-year-old need?

Aim for the path to roughly $630,000 as a single, or $730,000 as a couple, by age 67.

The exact number depends on your lifestyle, health, and whether you own your home.

At 55, the decisions you make now still count for a lot.

Contribute more where you can. Invest for growth while you still have time. And check in on your superannuation regularly.

The post How much super does a 55-year-old need to retire comfortably? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Coles vs. Woolworths. Which ASX consumer staples stock is the best buy?
• If I invest $10,000 in Westpac shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?
• Here’s why I’d buy and hold CSL and Cochlear shares for 10 years
• The superannuation portfolio that lets you retire at 60, not 67
• 2 ASX dividend shares with yields above 7%

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares may be one of the most popular options for dividends on the ASX due to the company’s perceived stability and dividend yield.

The ASX bank share typically has a larger dividend yield than competitors like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), which remains the case. It also usually has a similar dividend yield to stocks like ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB).

Thankfully, Westpac has increased its payout substantially since 2020, when it was forced to reduce it.

The bank’s dividend grew again in the FY26 half-year result as the business delivered a slight 1.3% rise of the dividend per share to 77 cents. This was funded by a 1% increase of the underlying net profit after tax (NPAT).

In this article, we’re going to look at Westpac’s potential 2027 financial year annual dividend, which will be paid during 2027.

2027 dividend projection for owners of Westpac shares

According to Commsec’s projection, the ASX bank share is expected to pay an annual dividend per share of $1.55 in FY27. That would represent a year-over-year increase of less than 1%. But growth is growth.

At the time of writing, this forecast translates into a dividend yield of 4.25% excluding franking credits and 6.1% including franking credits.

If someone were to invest $10,000 in Westpac, they would be able to buy 274 Westpac shares, with a little bit of cash left.

With those 274 Westpac shares, investors may receive $424.70 of cash dividends and $606.71 overall, including the franking credits.

Is this a good time to invest in the ASX bank share?

According to CMC Invest, there have been nine analyst ratings calls on the business in the last three months.

Of those nine, six of them were a sell and three of them were a hold. Therefore, the investment professionals are mostly negative about the appeal of the ASX bank share’s valuation right now.

The average price target of those nine ratings is $32.70. That means, collectively, those analysts are projecting the Westpac share price could drop by around 10% within the next year.

The Westpac share price was last that low in July 2025 – within the last 12 months – so it’s not crazy to think the bank could drop back to that level.

For now, there seem to be more appealing ASX shares out there to buy.

The post If I invest $10,000 in Westpac shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) have both tested investors’ patience recently.

That may be discouraging for existing shareholders, but I think it has also created an opportunity for investors willing to look well beyond the next result.

Here is why I would buy and hold both ASX healthcare shares.

CSL shares

Many investors see CSL simply as a collection of medicines. I think its real strength is the global biological supply chain it has built over decades.

Collecting plasma at scale, turning it into specialist therapies, meeting demanding regulatory standards, and reliably supplying patients around the world requires infrastructure and expertise that cannot be created quickly.

The biotechnology company’s recent performance has clearly fallen short of expectations. CSL lowered its FY26 outlook in May and acknowledged problems including weaker financial returns, operational complexity, disappointing research productivity, and the underperformance of the Vifor acquisition.

Those issues explain why confidence has fallen so sharply. Management now needs to simplify the organisation, improve plasma and manufacturing efficiency, and become more disciplined with capital.

I still think the foundations are attractive. CSL expects immunoglobulin demand to grow at a mid to high single-digit rate, supported by significant unmet medical need. Its May update suggested only around 35% of potential patients across major immunoglobulin indications are diagnosed, which leaves a large long-term opportunity if CSL can improve execution.

The next few years may be more about repairing the business than returning immediately to its former growth rate. But I think the company’s plasma network, rare disease franchise, scientific capabilities, and global reach still give it the ingredients for a recovery over time.

Cochlear shares

Cochlear is another ASX healthcare share I’d buy and hold. 

The appeal of the global leader in implantable hearing solutions goes well beyond selling industry-leading products.

A recipient can remain connected to the company for years through sound processor upgrades, accessories, digital services, clinical support, and new technology. That creates a relationship that can deepen long after the original procedure.

Cochlear has also spent years developing its next generation of products. The Nucleus Nexa System, launched in 2025 after two decades of research and development, is the first cochlear implant system with upgradeable firmware.

The current year has been challenging. Cochlear reduced its FY26 underlying profit guidance after softer implant demand in developed markets, hospital capacity constraints, weaker referrals, Middle East disruption, currency movements, and restructuring costs.

I see those pressures as important near-term obstacles rather than a reason to abandon the long-term story. Ageing populations, improving awareness, and better referral pathways could help more people receive treatment over time.

Foolish takeaway

Healthcare compounders rarely reward investors evenly.

Years of research, infrastructure investment, regulatory work, and market development can be followed by periods when growth slows and confidence disappears.

I think that is where CSL and Cochlear currently sit. Their immediate problems are highly visible, while the capabilities built over decades are easier for the market to overlook.

Both companies need to execute better from here, and patience could be required. But I believe their positions in global healthcare remain difficult to recreate.

That is why I would be comfortable buying CSL and Cochlear shares today and holding them through the next stage of their development.

The post Here’s why I’d buy and hold CSL and Cochlear shares for 10 years appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here’s what brokers tip for CSL shares over the next 12 months
• How have CSL shares performed over 10 years?
• Cochlear shares have bounced 16%. Should you buy, hold, or sell now?
• What did the market look like 10 years ago? Here’s what’s changed for the ASX 200
• Would Warren Buffett buy CSL shares?

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.