Super 101: Understanding Superannuation for Women in 2026

How much could a career break really be costing your super and what can you actually do to catch up? 👶 This is the final episode in our five-part Get Rich series on superannuation, proudly brought to you by Australian Retirement Trust, and Molly's back with her newest sidekick, baby Amali! This week she sits down with Ruth to unpack five practical ways Aussie women can catch up on their super after time away from work, whether that's for raising kids, caring for elderly parents, or just taking some time out. Whether you've paused work to look after a family member, took a few years off, or you've come back and have no idea if you're "behind," this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between concessional and non-concessional super contributions, and how much you can add to each How spouse contribution splitting works and why it's a fairness play, not a tax one What the government co-contribution scheme is and how it could add up to $500 to your super How the spouse contribution tax offset works if your partner tops up your account What the concessional carry-forward rule is and how to use unused caps from previous years Why checking your fund's fees, performance and whether to consolidate matters just as much as making contributions Molly's own experience using spouse splitting while on maternity leave Ruth's advice for anyone who's been avoiding their super altogether Perfect for: Aussie women returning to work after a career break, mums on maternity leave, anyone who's taken time out to care for family, and women who want simple, no-jargon ways to feel more confident about their super. The biggest takeaway from this episode? You don't need a huge overhaul, small, consistent moves now can make a massive difference to your super down the track. 🎧 The opinions and comments shared by people in this podcast are theirs alone. The information was accurate at the time of recording. This is general information only and is not based on your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider these factors and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before making any decision about any financial product. If you’re still unsure, speak with a financial adviser.

How does retirement with super actually work, and how do you know when you've got "enough"? In episode 4 of our five-part series helping Aussie women get super at Super, proudly brought to you by Australian Retirement Trust, Molly sits down with superannuation expert Ruth to unpack exactly what happens to your money once you retire, practical answers for women who want to feel in control of their retirement income. Whether you've been putting off thinking about "what happens next" with your super, aren't sure if you need to notify your fund the moment you retire, or just want to know how much is actually "enough," this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why you don't have to touch your super the moment you retire, and when it makes sense to leave it invested The difference between taking a lump sum and setting up an income account (and why most people don't realise they have a choice) Why your super keeps earning returns even after you retire, and why running out is less common than you'd think The real tax perks of moving your money into an income account after 60 What "comfortable retirement" actually costs for a single woman vs a couple, in real numbers How the Age Pension asset and income tests work (and why your home isn't counted) How to think about your super independently from your partner's, including what happens if you separate or they pass away Why healthcare and aged care costs deserve a place in your planning, even though they're hard to predict The biggest mistakes women make with their super at retirement The single most powerful move you can make if you're 10 years out from retiring Perfect for: Australian women approaching retirement, anyone who's ever wondered "do I have enough?", and women who want to make sure their super works as hard for them in retirement as it did while they were saving it. The biggest takeaway from this episode? Your super doesn't stop working for you the day you retire, and there's more flexibility (and more of a safety net) than most women realise. 🎧

If you're a woman in your 50s and you've ever looked at your super and thought, “Is this actually enough?”, this episode is for you Your 50s can be a bit of a financial wake-up call. Retirement suddenly feels closer, while you might still be supporting grown-up kids, helping ageing parents, paying off the mortgage or recovering from years out of the workforce. But being behind on super doesn't mean you've missed your chance. Molly chats with Ruth from Australian Retirement Trust about superannuation for women over 50, including how to catch up, make the most of your remaining working years and feel more confident about retirement. In this episode, we cover: 💰 How much super you might need for a comfortable retirement 📈 What to do if you're behind on your super at 50 💸 Catch-up contributions and how they work 💰 Salary sacrifice and why small contributions can add up 👩‍👧 How career breaks and raising children can affect women's super 💔 What happens to super during separation or divorce 🏠 How downsizing and inheritances can potentially boost your super 📊 Why your investment timeframe doesn't necessarily end when you retire 🔄 Transition to Retirement and accessing some of your super while still working 🧠 How to stop panicking about your super and start taking action The biggest message? It's not too late. If you've been avoiding your super because you're worried about what you'll find, this conversation is a great place to start. This episode is part of our five-part Get Rich series on superannuation, proudly brought to you by Australian Retirement Trust. This episode contains general information only and doesn't take into account your personal circumstances. Consider seeking professional financial advice before making decisions about your superannuation. The opinions and comments shared by people in this podcast are theirs alone. The information was accurate at the time of recording. This is general information only and is not based on your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider these factors and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before making any decision about any financial product. If you’re still unsure, speak with a financial adviser.

What is salary sacrificing into super, and could it help you grow your superannuation faster without significantly reducing your take-home pay? Salary sacrificing into super can sound complicated, and the word “sacrificing” makes it sound like you're giving something up. But salary sacrifice super can be a simple and tax-effective way to make additional superannuation contributions while you're working. In part two of our five-part Get Rich series on superannuation, proudly brought to you by Australian Retirement Trust, Molly sits down with Ruth Weaver, Team Leader, Key Client Education at ART, to explain salary sacrificing into super, how it works, who it can benefit and what you need to know before getting started. Because understanding your superannuation isn't just about retirement. It's about understanding how super contributions, tax and government incentives can work together to help you build more wealth over time. In this episode, you'll learn: What salary sacrificing into super actually means and how it can affect your take-home pay Why $100 of your salary could become $85 in your super instead of $68 in your bank account Who salary sacrifice super can work well for, and who may not benefit as much What high-income and low-income earners need to know about salary sacrificing How self-employed women can make additional super contributions and potentially claim a tax deduction What the Australian Government super co-contribution is and how contributing $1,000 could potentially result in up to $500 from the government, depending on eligibility What the Low Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) is and who may be eligible How concessional contribution caps work How the carry-forward concessional contributions rule could allow you to use unused contribution cap amounts from previous years How to check your super contribution limits through myGov Whether salary sacrificing into super locks you into anything, and what happens when you want to change your contributions If you've ever searched “how does salary sacrificing into super work?”, wondered “is salary sacrifice worth it?”, or simply thought, “I know I should understand my super, but where do I start?”, this episode is for you. The big takeaway? Salary sacrificing into super doesn't have to mean a huge hit to your take-home pay. Understanding how salary sacrifice, tax and super contribution rules work could help you make more informed decisions about your money today and your retirement savings in the future. Listen to the episode and learn how salary sacrificing into super works. 🎧

What money mistakes made you richer in the long run? Molly sits down with entrepreneur, author and founder Lisa Messenger for a refreshingly honest conversation about business, money and reinvention. Lisa's built (and rebuilt) some of Australia's most iconic brands over her 25 years in business, including Collective Hub, the cult magazine-turned-app that's just relaunched for 2026. In this episode, she gets real about the financial mistakes that nearly broke her, why she believes bigger isn't always better, and what she'd do if she only had $5,000 to start a business today, no fluff, no ego, just the lessons she wishes someone had told her earlier. Whether you're dreaming of starting your own business, trying to get your head around AI and whether you should be using it, or just love hearing successful women talk honestly about the times things didn't go to plan, this episode is packed with wisdom you can actually use. In this episode, you'll learn: The financial mistake that had Lisa's CFO asking for another $100K, every single day Why "bigger" isn't always "better" when it comes to profit and business growth How to reverse engineer worst-case scenarios before you take a financial risk What Lisa would do with $5,000 to start a business today = Why you should test demand before you spend a cent on your idea How to find non-competing partners who can promote you for free Why women should be adopting AI now, not later, and how to actually use it in your business How one piece of intellectual property can become five different revenue streams Lisa's biggest lesson from becoming a mum, and how it's shaped her as a founder Perfect for: aspiring founders, women thinking about starting a side hustle, and anyone who wants a masterclass in money mindset from someone who's built (and rebuilt) it all. The biggest takeaway from this episode? You don't need money to start, you need clarity, courage, and a plan for what happens if it doesn't work. 🎧