She's $110,000 ahead, yes, but more importantly, she bought herself a decade of freedom in her 50s and early 60s while her money kept working for her. That's the power of time and compounding. And it's the piece almost everyone misses.
Could they have started earlier? Of course. But in reality, most people in their 30s and early 40s are flat out with mortgages, kids and other responsibilities. Finding two spare cents to rub together feels impossible. For most, the real window doesn't open until the late 40s or 50s when some of those costs start to ease off.
It's a lesson I wish everyone understood, but this wasn't an option for previous generations. Super simply wasn't mature enough to deliver these outcomes. It's only now, with today's system firmly in place, that this eight-year window has become one of the smartest plays in retirement planning.
It works even better for couples. Take Jenny and Josh, and Mac and Priya. Both households earn $200,000 a year. Both have $350,000 in super between them at age 48. Same starting point. Same opportunities.
Jenny and Josh decide to get moving early. From 48 to 55 they tip in an extra $24,000 a year. That's $12,000 each through salary sacrifice for eight years. Then they stop. For the rest of their 50s, they redirect that money back to themselves, into travel, lifestyle and freedom. Their super keeps quietly compounding at long-term returns of 7 per cent behind the scenes.