At 45, the plan is about clear targets and consistency. Use the calculator to estimate monthly contributions and test retirement ages.
Use the Start Late? CalculatorStarting to invest at 45 gives you 20 years until a typical retirement age of 65 — and 20 years of compounding at 7% still more than doubles your money. At $1,000 a month you could build around $521,000 by 65, and at $2,000 a month you're crossing the million dollar mark. Many Australians at 45 are hitting their peak earning years with mortgages nearly paid off, making this an ideal time to redirect money into investments. Combined with superannuation contributions already building in the background, starting a dedicated investment plan at 45 can still make a profound difference to your retirement outcome. Use the calculator above to model your own scenario.
| Monthly investment | Total contributed | Balance at 65 (7%) |
|---|---|---|
| $200/month | $36,000 | ~$63,000 |
| $300/month | $54,000 | ~$95,000 |
| $500/month | $90,000 | ~$158,000 |
| $750/month | $135,000 | ~$238,000 |
| $1,000/month | $180,000 | ~$317,000 |
| $1,500/month | $270,000 | ~$475,000 |
| $2,000/month | $360,000 | ~$634,000 |
Start with a target amount or an income goal. If you’re unsure, use Retirement to estimate a portfolio target from an annual income number.
Try 65, 67, and 70. A small delay can reduce the monthly “catch‑up” amount significantly.
Even small annual increases (e.g. +$50/month each year) can make a big difference. The habit matters more than perfection.
For Australians starting to invest at 45, superannuation is doing much of the heavy lifting whether you realise it or not. Most 45-year-olds have 20+ years of compulsory super contributions behind them, potentially $200,000-$400,000 already accumulated. Your personal investment portfolio outside super adds a separate pillar to this. At 45, one of the most tax-effective moves is maximising concessional super contributions (up to $30,000 pa at 15% tax) — especially if you're in a high income bracket. Outside super, a regular investment into a low-cost ETF like VAS or VGS builds a flexible, accessible pool of wealth that doesn't have the preservation age restrictions of super. Tools like Sharesight let you track both streams against your retirement target.
Often no. You still have years for compounding. The key is consistency and realistic assumptions.
Increase timeline, reduce target, or plan for partial retirement. Re-run the calculator with different inputs.
Be cautious. Higher risk can help or hurt. Start conservative and only increase risk if you understand it.
Use /retire.html with your income goal and a withdrawal rate to estimate a target portfolio.
Contribution rate + time horizon + staying invested.