I am a single woman almost 10 years away from being able to get my super. I have had some health issues and want to get it as soon as I can, quit work and travel the world. But even more so because I don’t have a steady partner, and so have no one to split living expenses with, I am worried I don’t have enough. My current balance is $390,000. Do I have enough and if not, will I by age 60?

You are on track but need to add roughly $200,000 to your balance in the next 10 years to secure a comfortable standard of living – and possibly a bit more if you want to do serious travelling. Don’t worry – that’s probably easier than it sounds.

Inflating your super so you can travel the world in retirement is easier than you think.Credit: Getty Images

A single person now needs a lump sum of $595,000 – up $50,000 last year with inflation – to relax in retirement, says modelling by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia. This assumes you gradually spend the lot and therefore are supplemented over time by the age pension.

But you’re right – the comparable figure for couples is nowhere near double: it’s just $690,000. Just bear in mind two people travelling does cost double, so you’ve lost no financial advantage there.

Now, you don’t say how much you earn. But let’s assume it is the right amount, setting sensible variables, to get you your $200,000. The magic number to automatically arrive at $595,000 by age 60 with your employer’s contributions only is $77,500 a year.

That’s way one. But let’s say you make $60,000 a year so are tracking for just $567,617 at desired retirement.

The standard superannuation guarantee contribution is today 11 per cent and will increase to 12 per cent by 2025.

You can make up the shortfall with a salary sacrificed or before tax contribution of just 3.5 per cent. Remember, because these contributions are before tax, you lose less from your pay than what goes into your super (contributions are taxed at only 15 per cent on the way in).