The Super Members Council is launching a new social media video campaign to remind Australians that their super is increasing again on 1 July, with the Super Guarantee rising from 11.5% to 12%.
The increase marks the completion of a 14-year journey to lift the legislated super rate from 9% to 12% to benefit millions of hard-working Australians right across the country.
The 12% milestone will build retirement balances for millions of everyday Australians and deliver dignified living standards in retirement, with the typical retirement balance projected to reach $500,000 in 30 years.
Super Members Council CEO Misha Schubert said the milestone was a transformative achievement for the retirements of the 12 million everyday Australians for whom the council advocates.
"This increase to people's super is a powerful step forward for Australians' financial futures. But too many people don't yet know it's happening. That's why we're releasing this video—to raise awareness and help Australians make the most of their super."
The video is part of SMC's initiative 'How Super Works' which aims to lift understanding of how super works, especially among younger Australians.
SMC has also launched new content to strengthen knowledge with its website resource 'How Super Works'.
Research shows engagement with super remains persistently low—particularly among millennials.
According to ASIC, nearly half (48%) of millennials say they are not very or not at all knowledgeable about how to maximise their super. Alarmingly, 31% of millennials say they only check their super's performance less than once a year—or not at all.
At a roundtable in September 2024, ASIC called on super funds to better engage consumers on superannuation, particularly younger generations.
SMC's own research shows education can be a crucial catalyst for taking tangible actions to improve super balances.
A Pyxis study commissioned by SMC in April 2025 found that educating young Australians about super can make them up to six times more likely to take actions that improve their retirement savings.
"We know that when people better understand what super is and how it will support their retirement, they're more likely to engage—and that engagement can make a real difference," Ms Schubert said.
"When Australians understand how super works, have an expectation it will be critical to their wellbeing in retirement, and take a closer interest in their super, they are much more likely to take actions like comparing fees, checking their investment options, making additional contributions, and checking for missing super contributions."
SMC urged Australians to use the 1 July milestone as a prompt to log in and check their super, update their details, and consider whether they're on track for the retirement they want.
"July's savings boost is a great reminder that your future is worth investing in," Ms Schubert said.
"A few small steps today can mean a much more secure tomorrow."
