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.

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• 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.