At age 55, you’re on the home stretch towards retirement. It’s vital that you’re on top of how much is in your superannuation and how it compares to what you need to quit work.

At this age you’re just five years from your preservation age (when you can access your superannuation if you’ve retired), 10 years from accessing your superannuation regardless of whether you’ve stopped working or not, and 12 years away from the Age Pension (if eligible).

It’s the final window to boost your superannuation and leverage compound growth. 

You’ll want to ensure your super fund is performing well, and that you’re adding additional contributions wherever you can.

You should start aiming to clear your debt, including your mortgage. It’s also potentially the time of start making structural life adjustments. These can make the transition to retirement much easier. 

The downsizer contribution rule, for example, allows Australians aged 55 or older to contribute $300,000, or $600,000 for a couple, from the sale of their home into super.  

That’s a great way to boost your balance before retirement.

Here’s a breakdown of what you should have in your superannuation at age 55 to find out if you’re on track.

The cost of retirement

Most Australians aim for a comfortable retirement. That means enough money for a good-quality lifestyle and funds to pay for things like top-tier private health insurance, regular leisure activities, meals out, and potentially even some travel.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) calculates that a comfortable retirement will cost around $55,923 per year for singles and $78,566 for couples. 

These figures assume you own your home outright and that you’ll receive a part Age Pension. That means additional mortgage or rental costs will be on top.

How much do I need in my superannuation to afford a comfortable retirement?

Again, ASFA has run the numbers. It’s estimated that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at retirement, and couples will need around $730,000 to be able to finance a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

The catch is that these figures are calculated on the assumption that you’ll be retiring at age 67. So if you want to stop working earlier, you’ll need to account for those extra years up to age 67. 

If you don’t own your home outright you’ll also need to add mortgage payments or rent onto your balance.

At age 55, how much superannuation is considered as ‘on track’?

Assuming you have a $100,000 per year income and that you’re aiming for a $630,000 superannuation balance, at age 55 Australians should have around $348,000 in their superannuation.

If your income is a little lower, around $75,000, you’ll need a bit more. A superannuation balance of around $367,000 at age 55 should still put you on track to reach the $630,000 goal within the next 12 years.

How does your balance compare?

The post How much should I have in my superannuation at age 55? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Invested in ASX IVV or other iShares ETFs? Here’s your next dividend
• Woodside vs Westpac: Which ASX share is better for passive income?
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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.

BlackRock has announced the next lot of estimated distributions for some of its ASX iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 

All of these ASX ETFs are invested in international shares or bonds.

The ex-dividend date is tomorrow.

In order to receive an upcoming distribution, you must own the ASX ETF before its ex-dividend date.

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) is among this group of exchange-traded funds.

IVV tracks the US benchmark S&P 500 Index (SP: INX), giving Aussies easy access to the runaway US market.

US stocks have smashed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) over the past three years.

In FY26, US stocks produced triple the total return of ASX 200 shares at 22% vs. 7%, largely due to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

A recent CMC survey of more than 8,500 investors and traders found ASX IVV was the most popular ETF among buyers today.

BlackRock will pay its ETF investors on 9 October. 

Here’s what ASX IVV and other ETFs will pay

Here is a list of the estimated distributions that iShares ETF investors will receive next month.

The dividend amounts will be confirmed on Wednesday.

ASX ETF	Distribution
iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)	17.35 cents per unit
iShares S&P Mid-Cap ETF (ASX: IJH)	12.94 cents per unit
iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (ASX: IJR)	59.78 cents per unit
iShares U.S. Factor Rotation Active ETF (ASX: IACT)	2.43 cents per unit
iShares Nasdaq Top 30 ETF (ASX: ITEK)	1.16 cents per unit
iShares Core Global Corporate Bond (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: IHCB)	195.24 cents per unit
iShares Global High Yield Bond (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: IHHY)	133.29 cents per unit
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: IHEB)	72.68 cents per unit
iShares Global Aggregate Bond ESG (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: AESG)	146.85 cents per unit
iShares Core Global Aggregate Bond (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: AGGG)	70 cents per unit
iShares U.S. Treasury Bond (AUD Hedged) ETF (ASX: IUSG)	201.61 cents per unit
iShares World Equity High Income Complex ETF (ASX: WYNC)	70.28 cents per unit

IVV and iShares ETFs join 15 other ASX stocks and REITs going ex-dividend this week.

Vanguard has also announced its next batch of estimated distributions for its ASX ETFs.

They include the most popular ETF on the Aussie market, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), as well as Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), and Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS).

The ex-dividend date for Vanguard distributions is Thursday. Vanguard will pay investors on 16 October.

The post Invested in ASX IVV or other iShares ETFs? Here’s your next dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woodside Energy vs Westpac

When it comes to building a reliable passive income stream, many ASX investors find themselves comparing household names like Woodside Energy and Westpac. Both are titans in their respective fields—energy and banking. But when deciding between Woodside shares and Westpac shares for passive income, the differences in dividend profiles, business models, and recent momentum can really shape the call. Let’s take a closer look at how these two stocks stack up.

The case for Woodside

Woodside is Australia’s largest independent oil and gas company, producing and marketing energy both here and offshore. With a history stretching back to 1954 and a significant boost from its recent merger with BHP’s petroleum assets, Woodside has evolved into a global energy player. According to its most recent public description, Woodside operates a diverse portfolio of offshore platforms and floating production vessels, and its shares have established themselves among the biggest names on the ASX.

For income-focused investors, Woodside’s fundamentals stand out in a few ways:

• Dividend yield: 5.24%, fully franked, which remains attractive compared to many blue chips.
• P/E ratio: 13.81, offering moderate earnings multiples for the sector.
• Recent returns: Its year-to-date return is sitting at a robust 38.9%, pointing to strong recent share price momentum.

Woodside’s dividend history also confirms consistent and fully franked payouts, and its most recent annual dividend is $1.63 per share.

The case for Westpac

Founded in 1817, Westpac is one of Australia’s four biggest banks and a major fixture on the ASX. It operates across multiple banking and wealth management lines, from retail and business banking to specialist financial services, both locally and across the Tasman. Through brands like St.George and Bank of Melbourne, Westpac has become a cornerstone for many Aussies’ day-to-day finances.

On the passive income front, Westpac offers:

• Dividend yield: 4.43%, fully franked—solid, though a step below Woodside’s headline rate.
• P/E ratio: 17.13, which is somewhat higher (i.e. more expensive earnings multiple) than Woodside, though this is not unusual for a major bank.
• Earnings per share: $2.029, comfortably supporting the current $1.54 annual dividend.

Westpac has also maintained a long and stable record of paying dividends—every single one fully franked in the last two decades—and remains a stalwart income stock for retired and dividend-focused investors.

Valuation comparison

Here’s how the key numbers stack up right now:

Metric	Woodside	Westpac
Market Cap	$60.09 billion	$116.73 billion
P/E Ratio	13.81	17.13
Dividend Yield	5.24% (100% franked)	4.43% (100% franked)
Earnings per share	1.605	2.029
Dividend per share	1.63	1.54
Year-to-date return	38.9%	-8.0%

Recent share price performance

Comparing recent share price history up to 24 September 2026:

• Woodside Energy: Closed at $31.61, up 1.54% on the day. The share price is up 38.9% year to date—a very strong run.
• Westpac: Closed at $34.13, down 1.81% on the day. Year to date, Westpac shares are actually down 8.0%, showing some negative momentum recently.

Which is the better buy?

If I’m looking for a passive income pick today, I’d lean toward Woodside. Here’s why: Right now, Woodside offers a higher fully franked dividend yield than Westpac, with dividends underpinned by healthy earnings (as suggested by the EPS and payout ratio). The oil and gas operator is also showing strong recent price momentum, up almost 39% this year, while pockets of the banking sector—including Westpac—are lagging, with Westpac shares down about 8% over the same stretch.

Westpac still offers a reliable, fully franked dividend and is a classic income play. But with Woodside’s higher income yield and noticeably better recent share performance, my pick for new passive income dollars would be Woodside Energy. Of course, no dividend stock is risk-free—energy profits can be cyclical, and banks have their own headwinds. Still, based on the latest data, the edge goes to Woodside for now.

The post Woodside vs Westpac: Which ASX share is better for passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• How much superannuation do I need to earn $2,000 per week in passive income?
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, CSL, and Westpac shares
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial draft. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.