At our recent Annual Members’ Meeting, several questions kept coming up. Ultimately, they all relate to one core theme: having confidence – in your retirement plan, your account security, and the performance of your super.

1. Am I on track for retirement – and what should I be doing now?

Short answer: it’s never too early, and never too late, to get clear on your retirement plan. Your glorious retirement is a Lifetime in the Making, after all.

A good starting point is understanding:

• What you’re likely to spend in retirement
• What you’ve saved so far
• Whether there’s a gap — and how to close it

If you want a benchmark, ASFA’s latest Retirement Standard (Dec 2025 quarter)* estimates the cost of a comfortable retirement at around $54,840 a year for singles and $77,375 a year for couples. The Age Pension may cover part of this, but most people will probably need additional income from their super.

Retirement planning can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’ve put together these 5 retirement planning steps to help you get started.

*ASFA Retirement Standard, December 2025. For retirees aged 65-84 who own their own home.

Tools to help you towards your glorious retirement

• Retirement Projector — estimate your future balance, check Age Pension eligibility and test different scenarios.
• Personal Super Calculator — see your current projection and simple strategies to help you stay on track.
• Your SuperFit program — short, practical guides for building your retirement confidence.

2. If you’re looking for advice, you’re not alone — nearly 16 million Australians¹  are too. That’s why, as an MLC member, you get access to expert financial coaching at no extra cost. Our coaches are available over the phone and can help you make sense of your super, understand your options, and feel more confident about your path to a glorious retirement. Is my super safe from scams and hacking?

Protecting your account and personal information is one of our highest priorities. We have a dedicated Cyber Security team and 24/7 monitoring by specialist provider, Sekuro. Behind the scenes, we use multiple layers of protection, including:

• Data encryption
• Strong login controls
• Adaptive multi factor authentication (MFA)
• Real time detection and blocking of suspicious activity
• Regular testing and regulator aligned security frameworks
• Rapid removal of fake sites imitating our brand

You may occasionally be asked to complete an extra verification step when logging in or when you call us — this is intentional, and adds another layer of protection.

Cyber Security is a shared effort, so we also train our people and regularly share scam awareness tips to help keep you safe. Check out our Cyber Security page for more information and tips to stay super scam savvy.

3. How competitive is MLC’s performance?

Based on the independent SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, the SR50 MySuper Index, the MLC MySuper Growth Portfolio has delivered competitive returns over the short and longer term — including top five performance over five years to December 2025². All returns are reported after investment fees and tax, which means they reflect what members receive.

You can easily track your super’s performance anytime through the MLC App or through our dedicated performance webpage. And if you'd like help understanding performance or knowing whether you’re in the right investment option, you can speak with one of our Financial Coaches. That’s expert advice, at no extra cost for MLC members.

And, one more question we heard a lot…. Can I use my super to buy my first home or a property?

You may be able to use your super through the government’s First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). This scheme allows eligible individuals to release certain voluntary contributions from super to put toward their first home.

There are specific rules about which contributions can be released, and the scheme can’t be used for investment properties. Read our article on the FHSSS to learn more.