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AustralianSuper, Aware Super and HESTA calculators vs Pension Pilot
Your super fund’s calculator is built to project your super balance. It’s generally not built to model the Age Pension income and assets tests, deeming, or concession cards alongside it — which is where most of your actual retirement income comes from once the Age Pension is in the mix.
CHECKED 22 AUGUST 2026 — fund fee and performance figures change regularly; confirm current numbers directly with each fund before deciding.
What each tool is actually built for.
| Tool | What it’s for | Age Pension modelling |
|---|---|---|
| AustralianSuper retirement calculator | Projects your super balance and estimated retirement income from that fund | Limited — not the primary purpose of the tool |
| Aware Super retirement calculator | Projects super balance and income under different contribution and drawdown scenarios | Limited — not the primary purpose of the tool |
| HESTA retirement calculator | Projects super balance for HESTA members, largely aged care and health sector members | Limited — not the primary purpose of the tool |
| Pension Pilot | Models your Age Pension income test and assets test together against your super, savings and other assets, plus concessions like the Work Bonus and CSHC | Core purpose of the tool |
Why this distinction matters.
Super funds are set up to help you manage and grow your super balance — that’s their core product. The Age Pension is a separate, means-tested government payment, calculated using rules your super fund doesn’t administer and generally doesn’t model in detail. If most of your retirement income is likely to come from a part or full Age Pension rather than a large super balance, a super-fund calculator alone won’t show you the full picture — you need both your super projection and a proper Age Pension income/assets test model together.
When a fund calculator is enough
If you have a large super balance well above the Age Pension assets test cutoffs and don’t expect to receive any Age Pension, your fund’s balance projection may be all you need — the Age Pension isn’t part of your plan.
When you need both
If you’re likely to receive a part or full Age Pension at any point, or you’re weighing decisions like downsizing, working part-time, or a Home Equity Access Scheme loan, you need to see the pension and super sides together — that’s the gap Pension Pilot is built to fill.
Frequently asked questions.
Does Pension Pilot replace my super fund’s calculator?
No — they answer different questions. Your fund’s tool is useful for super balance projections; Pension Pilot is built specifically for the Age Pension and concession side.
Is Pension Pilot affiliated with any super fund?
No. Pension Pilot is an independent Australian tool, not affiliated with AustralianSuper, Aware Super, HESTA or any other fund.
Can I use my fund’s projected balance as an input?
Yes — Pension Pilot’s calculator asks for your current and projected super balance so you can bring your fund’s own numbers into the Age Pension modelling.
Apply this to your own plan.
See how your super balance and the Age Pension work together in one report, not two separate tools. These figures are educational and general in nature — check fund-specific fees and performance directly with AustralianSuper, Aware Super or HESTA before making decisions.