Your late 50s are a turning point in your life when your priority shifts from building your superannuation to planning what your retirement might look like.

After all, at the age of 59, you’re just one year from preservation age (when you can access your super if you’ve stopped working), six years from the average Australian retirement age of 65, and eight years from potentially receiving the Age Pension payment at age 67.

The question is: do you know how your super balance compares to others your age? Do you know exactly how much money you need to fund your retirement?

Here’s a breakdown of what the average Aussie has at age 59, and what you actually need to retire comfortably in the next few years.

What is the average superannuation balance at age 59?

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 59, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

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

But given that age 59 is right on the boundary of the 55-59 age bracket, it can be helpful to consider the bracket above as well. 

Ideally you want to be somewhere in between the two. 

ASFA’s data shows that at age 60-64, the average Australian male has around $395,852 in their superannuation. Meanwhile, the average 60-64-year-old female has less, at approximately $313,360.

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

How much does it cost to retire?

In Australia, retirement is generally split into two broad categories: modest and comfortable. 

A modest retirement is defined as being able to cover expenses slightly above what the full Centrelink Age Pension would provide from age 67. 

ASFA estimates that a modest retirement will cost around $36,434 per year for singles and $52,473 per year for couples. These figures assume you’ll also receive a part Age Pension and that you own your home outright.

A comfortable retirement as one that enables retirees to maintain a good standard of living well beyond the age pension. 

ASFA data shows that a comfortable retirement is estimated to cost around $55,923 per year for singles and $78,566 for couples. Again, it assumes you’ll receive a part Age Pension and that you own your home in full. 

That means ASFA’s data indicates that by age 67, single Australians need a superannuation balance of approximately $630,000. And couples should have closer to $730,000.

At age 59, is the average superannuation balance on track for retirement?

If your superannuation is in line with the rest of the population, then you’ll be able to afford a very basic and modest retirement lifestyle from the age of 67.

It could cover things like basic health insurance and home repairs, but wouldn’t leave much room for leisure activities or meals out, let alone a holiday.

But if you’re expecting to live a retirement lifestyle beyond the basics, you’re already falling behind. 

I’ve crunched the numbers, and at age 59, you should have around $479,500 in your superannuation. 

As you can see, this is significantly higher than the average balances in both age brackets.

Is it too late to catch up?

Thankfully, no.

At age 59, there is still time to boost your superannuation before it’s too late.

The first thing to do is check that your super fund is performing well and your risk profile is appropriate for your age. 

Next, you’ll need to focus your attention on making 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. 

It also makes sense to check in with Government contribution rules. There are several rules and co-contribution rules you might be eligible for, depending on your personal circumstances. Every cent counts when it comes to compound growth!

The post Average superannuation balance for 59 year olds in 2026. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

Shares in Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL) have been a bit unloved over the past year, falling more than 40% over the period.

That has prompted the analysts at Morgans to have a look at the energy company, and they believe there is significant upside to be had by investing in this offshore gas producer.

What has been driving the Amplitude share price lower?

In a note to clients recently, Morgans said there had been some sizeable, albeit short-term catalysts recently which had pushed the share price lower, but added that the shares had de-rated, “to a level we view as unsustainable given the company’s forward earnings profile”.

Morgans’ assessment of the value of the company had dropped 17% due to poor exploration results and weaker spot gas prices, but the shares had fallen 57% since a high in February.

In May, Amplitude bought half of the Artisan gas field in the offshore Otway Basin from Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) for $58.3 million, which Morgans said was a deal that made sense for the company.

Amplitude Managing Director Jane Norman said regarding the deal:

Producing Artisan through Amplitude Energy’s existing infrastructure allows faster and lower-cost development of this gas for the east coast domestic market. Artisan development costs will significantly benefit from leveraging the existing East Coast Supply Project (ECSP) program and our readily-available infrastructure. This is a win-win for Amplitude, O.G. Energy and Beach with respect to optimising our respective Otway Basin positions. We expect to rapidly move to FID on the development phase of the ECSP over the next few months while the drilling of the Juliet and Annie wells is conducted, with Juliet now brought forward and drilling expected to commence by late July or early August.

Morgans said the deal de-risked the ECSP for Amplitude.

Amplitude shares looking cheap

Morgans added:

While the year-to-date share price performance has been disappointing, driven by gas reservation policy uncertainty and the ECSP drilling results, but in our view the share price pressure has outpaced the change in value and has increased the size of the long-term value upside on offer. While there remains great uncertainty around Australia’s gas reservation policy, which could bring some downside to long-term domestic gas prices (potentially), it is hard not to believe we are near peak negativity on the topic sentiment wise (an appealing marker for value investors).

Morgans has a buy rating on Amplitude shares with a price target of $3, compared to $1.27 currently.

Amplitude is valued at $385.35 million.

The post This ASX gas company could more than double in value: Broker appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares have fallen back into the red this week.

At the time of writing, the buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider’s shares are down around 8% for the year-to-date, but they’re still around 1% higher than 12 months ago.

Zip shares have been volatile ever since the stock was caught up in an ongoing sector-wide tech sell-off. 

Technology and growth shares have also come under renewed pressure recently as investors reassess valuations and risk appetite. 

The ASX 200 tech shares rebounded an impressive 40% in June, but since the first of July, they have resumed their downward trajectory. 

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is roughly flat for the year-to-date at the time of writing, but around 1.5% higher than 12 months ago.

It’s not all bad news for Zip shares though. Here are three reasons to add the tech stock to your portfolio this financial year, and three reasons to sell up.

3 reasons to buy Zip shares

1. The company is financially sound

Zip’s financial results have been strong through the past few quarters. Its latest third-quarter FY26 results announcement in mid-April showed that growth has started to accelerate. The fintech business also upgraded its FY26 group cash EBTDA guidance to at least $260 million, from previous guidance of around $248.6 million.

2. Zip is aggressively expanding

Zip is rapidly expanding its product range and aggressively expanding its global presence, especially in the US. Late last year, the company announced that its US segment was expanding its partnership with the programmable financial services business Stripe. In early February, the company confirmed it is expanding its US presence by launching a new Pay in 2 product. Zip is also pursuing a dual sharemarket listing on the Nasdaq in the US. This could help drive an even opportunity for business expansion in the area.

3. Brokers tip a huge upside ahead

TradingView data shows that analysts are very bullish on Zip’s outlook over the next 12 months.

Out of 12 analysts, 11 have a buy or strong buy consensus on the shares, and the average $3.87 target price implies a potential 25% upside.

Some are even more optimistic and tip the shares to increase up to 74% to $5.40 a piece, at the time of writing.

3 reasons to sell Zip shares

1. There is increasing competition

Zip competes with major players including Klarna, PayPal, Block (through Afterpay), traditional banks, and credit card providers. Increased competition can pressure the company’s margins and growth.

2. Zip doesn’t pay dividends

If passive income is your goal, Zip isn’t the stock for you. The company is still in the growth phase, which means it is focusing its funds on growing the business rather than distributing products to shareholders.

3. Zip is highly sensitive to volatility

Zip is a growth stock, which means its share price is subject to investor sentiment, changes in interest rates, slower consumer spending, and even employment rates. It’s not a defensive asset which means it isn’t as resilient as some other alternatives during times of sharemarket volatility.

The post Zip shares: 3 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.