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Super and Retirement

Super Insurance Cost Impact Calculator

Estimate how much insurance premiums deducted from your super could reduce your retirement balance over time.

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Your results

Balance lost to insurance premiums$27,071
Balance with insurance$298,575
Balance without insurance$325,646

Calculation breakdown

Yearly step
(balance − annual premium) × (1 + return)

Worked example

A $400 annual premium deducted from a $60,000 balance over 25 years at 7% growth can reduce the final balance by well over $20,000.

Assumptions

  • Premiums are assumed to stay constant in real terms, though they typically rise with age.
  • Contributions during the period aren't modelled — this isolates the insurance cost only.

How this calculator works

This calculator projects the long-term impact of ongoing insurance premiums (such as life, total and permanent disability or income protection cover) deducted from your super balance, compared with the same balance growing without those premiums.

Rates sourced from the Australian Taxation Office for the 2026–27 financial year. Last reviewed 01/07/2026.

Frequently asked questions

Why does insurance in super reduce my retirement balance?

Premiums are deducted directly from your super balance, so that money is no longer invested and compounding towards retirement.

Should I cancel insurance in super to save fees?

Not necessarily — weigh up the value of the cover for your circumstances before cancelling, since replacing it outside super may cost more or be harder to obtain.

Does this include stapled or default cover changes?

No, enter your own known annual premium; default cover amounts vary by fund and by your account balance and age.

Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.

Rates and thresholds are configured for the 2026–27 Australian financial year and should be reviewed when government settings change.

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