Are you looking forward to living a comfortable retirement lifestyle but aren’t sure whether your superannuation is on track to get you there?

Or perhaps you want to find out the superannuation balance you’d need to maintain a good standard of living, do some regular activities, meals out, and perhaps even an occasional overseas trip.

Here’s a rundown of what the average Aussie has in their super at 56 and 66 years old, and what you’d need at each age to have enough for retirement.

Find out how yours compares.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 56?

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.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 66?

The average 65 to 69-year-old Australian male has an average superannuation balance of $448,518, and women have around $392,274.

Age 56 versus age 66: Why is the gap so wide?

The difference between super balances at age 56 versus age 66 is significant. 

Over the 10-year period, average balances increase by up to $150,000.

It could be that these individuals have had more time to add additional contributions to their superannuation balance. 

But it also shows the importance of compounding. It’s clear that accumulating wealth early on, investing in a well-performing fund, and at a risk profile that suits your own, can supercharge your balance down the line.

Are these average balances enough to retire on?

No. In fact, the average Australian is quite far behind.

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.

Ok, so how much do Aussies need in their superannuation by age 56 and 66 to be on track?

Using ASFA’s Super Balance Detective tool, I’ve calculated what you’d need at ages 56 and 66 to reach that sum.

At age 56, you need around $416,000 in your superannuation.

At age 66, this should be more like $618,500 in order to live comfortably when the time comes. 

As you’ll see. These sums are significantly higher than the average at each age milestone.

And this means you’ll need to bridge the gap another way.

It’s a good idea to start by making additional contributions. You can take advantage of additional concessional or non-concessional contributions, whether this is via salary sacrificing or by making after-tax payments (within your annual limits).

Government initiatives (if eligible) could also help bridge the gap between the superannuation balance you have and what you need.

The post Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-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 EQ Resources Ltd (ASX: EQR) have surged more than 20% after it was revealed iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest has bought a major stake in the company.

Cornerstone stake bought out

EQ Resources said in a statement to the ASX that Dr Forrest had bought Oaktree Capital Management’s 16.8% stake in the company.

The company added:

Oaktree has been a cornerstone investor in EQR since 2023, supporting the Company’s acquisition of the Barruecopardo tungsten mine in Spain and the ongoing expansion of the Mt Carbine tungsten mine in North Queensland, which together have positioned EQR as the largest western tungsten producer. This transaction is at the shareholder level and will not impact the strategy, day-to-day operations, management or employees of EQR.

EQ Resources Managing Director Craig Bradshaw thanked Oaktree for their support, saying they backed the company’s vision at a pivotal time.

He said regarding the transaction:

We warmly welcome Dr Forrest’s investment in the Company. It is a strong endorsement for EQ Resources to see the ownership baton passed from a financial investor to a stalwart of the Australian mining industry with a proven track record of developing and growing assets. This is a great vote of confidence in EQ Resources, our people, and the growth strategy we are executing across our operations in Australia and Spain.

Dr Forrest said he was glad to be backing an Australian critical minerals producer, “at the moment the world has woken up to how fragile critical mineral supply chains have become”.

He added:

Tungsten is essential to the machines that build our homes, hospitals, cities and modern-day energy systems, as well as the semiconductors in every phone and computer. Yet global supply is remarkably concentrated. We are proud to become a long-term shareholder in a company that is de-risking its operations, ramping up production and beginning to generate real cash flow. We look forward to seeing the business continue to grow.

Dr Forrest founded iron ore producer Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and remains Executive Chair and a major shareholder with slightly more than a third of the group’s shares under his ownership.

Tungsten shares a multi-bagger

EQ Resources shares added 22.7% in early trade to 27 cents. The company’s shares are up 610.5% over a 12-month period.

In a recent investor presentation, the company made the point that China currently controls 85% of global tungsten supply.

EQ Resources produced 1,189 tonnes of tungsten trioxide in FY26 and said both of its mining operations had opportunities to scale up.

EQ Resources is valued at $1.13 billion.

The post Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal
• Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare?
• Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday
• VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year?
• South32 reveals FY26 operating results

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) is charging higher today.

Shares in the New Zealand-based building and materials company closed on Friday trading for $3.16. In early-morning trade on Monday, shares are changing hands at $3.21 apiece, up 1.6%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

Fletcher Building shares have been on a tear since plumbing a one-year closing low of $2.26 on 28 April. Indeed, with today’s intraday lift factored in, the share price is up 42% since that low, giving the ASX 200 stock a market cap north of $3.4 billion.

Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

ASX 200 stock jumps on New Zealand support

Flether Building shares are outperforming today after the company announced a milestone agreement between its Golden Bay Cement business and the New Zealand government.

The ASX 200 stock reported that the government has granted up to NZ$60 million (AU$50.4 million) to support Golden Bay Cement’s Northland operations.

The company noted that the one-time grant will provide certainty for Golden Bay Cement’s continued domestic manufacturing capability and planned decarbonisation pathway.

Golden Bay Cement operates New Zealand’s only domestic cement manufacturing facility, supplying around 60% of the country’s cement.

Fletcher Building said that the agreement recognises Golden Bay Cement’s role as the only domestic manufacturer of a critical building material.

As part of the agreement, Golden Bay Cement has committed to continue producing cement at its Northland plant until at least 2040. The business will also invest at least NZ$150 million through to 2040.

What did Fletcher Building management say?

Commenting on the government grant helping boost the ASX 200 stock today, Fletcher Building CEO Andrew Reding said, “Domestic cement production matters for New Zealand’s resilience as much as for its economics.”

Reding added:

An onshore source reduces exposure to shipping disruption, supply shocks and price volatility, an increasingly important consideration as global supply chains become more unpredictable.

Reding also addressed the higher carbon emissions costs the company faced in New Zealand compared to its international competitors.

He noted:

Without government support, increasing costs, including carbon emission costs that our competitors importing cement from overseas do not currently incur at the same level, would likely have required us to close the plant and move to an import-only model from 2030.

This agreement removes that risk, providing the certainty to keep investing in domestic manufacturing, operational resilience and lower-carbon production. It’s a strong example of business and government working together in the national interest.

The post Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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.