A good calculator called Super Balance Detective, at the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia’s (ASFA) superguru.com.au, will show you fast.

You simply put in your year of birth and the calculator throws up how much super you should have today. Of course, there are many underlying assumptions behind that calculation, but essentially, it is based on average investment returns (6.7 per cent before fees and taxes) and average fees (0.7 per cent of assets).

It is also based on how much the ASFA Retirement Standard calculates you need to live on at retirement age 67, but I’ll get into that shortly.

Just what on-track super balances are we talking? Here’s a snapshot:

• If you were born in 1985, your balance should be about $112,000.
• If you were born in 1980, it should be $164,000.
• For 1975-ers, the number today is $219,000.
• At 1970, it’s $285,000 and 1965, $360,000.
• And it’s coming down to the wire for these people… if you’re born in 1960, the figure is $449,000.

Those numbers may or may not be a lot less scary than you had anticipated. Enjoy your comfortable retirement!