SMSF vs industry fund fee calculator — how much could you save?
Industry and retail super funds charge a percentage of your balance — so as your super grows, so do their fees. An SMSF charges a flat fee. See the difference over your investing lifetime.
Your details
All figures are estimates only.
Typical industry funds: 0.8–1.2% all-in
easySMSF: from $139/month
Illustrative fee difference
$139,359
difference after 20 years, on the assumptions you set below — illustrative only, not a projection or guaranteed outcome
$1,057,458
Total fees paid: $33,360
$918,098
Total fees paid: $115,000
Total fees over 20 years
On these assumptions, total fees are $81,640 lower with an SMSF. Estimates only — your actual fees will differ.
For general illustration only — not financial advice. Assumes fees deducted annually and a constant growth rate.
How to use the calculator
1.Enter your current super balance
Use your combined balance across all funds — if you and your partner will run one SMSF together, add both balances, because an SMSF fee is charged per fund, not per member.
2.Enter your fund's percentage fee
Find the total of the administration fee, investment fee and any indirect cost ratio on your last annual statement. Most industry and retail funds land between 0.85% and 1.30% all-in.
3.Set your time horizon and contributions
Choose the number of years until you expect to draw down and add your annual contributions, so the comparison compounds on a realistic balance rather than today's number.
4.Compare the two fee lines
The calculator shows total fees paid under each structure. Percentage fees rise every year as your balance grows; the fixed SMSF fee does not.
5.Check the crossover balance
The crossover is the balance where a fixed fee becomes cheaper than a percentage fee. Below it, stay where you are. Above it, an SMSF is usually the lower-cost structure.
Worked examples: what percentage fees actually cost
Three typical starting points, using the all-in percentage fee most Australians pay. The annual figure is what the percentage charge costs in year one — it climbs every year the balance grows.
| Balance | Fund fee | Cost in year 1 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | 1.00% | $2,000 a year and rising | Close to the crossover. A fixed fee is competitive today and gets better every year the balance grows, but the gap in year one is small. |
| $500,000 | 1.00% | $5,000 a year and rising | Clearly past the crossover. A flat annual fee costs a fraction of the percentage charge, and the saving compounds because the money stays invested. |
| $1,000,000 | 0.90% | $9,000 a year and rising | The percentage structure is the single largest recurring cost in the fund. Even a conservative flat-fee comparison shows a six-figure difference over 20 years. |
Want the fixed-fee side in detail? See our pricing, administration fees and setup costs.
Fee calculator questions
Ready to see your own numbers in writing?
We'll walk you through the comparison for your fund — fixed fee, audit included, no percentage-of-balance charges.
General advice warning
Figures shown are illustrative only and based on the inputs and assumptions you provide. They are general information, not personal financial product advice. Consider your objectives, financial situation and needs, and seek personal advice from a licensed financial adviser before acting. easySMSF does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL).