“The superannuation rules are changing again next month, so should you be putting more money into super?”

“GIDDYUP!” Don’t be alarmed. That’s just me mounting one of my hobby horses.

Listen up Xers, because a superannuation hand grenade was tossed directly at us in 2009.

The old rule of thumb, for those to the right, used to be: In your 50s, when the mortgage is largely paid down and the kids are off your hands, start shovelling money into super.

Back then, you could push approximately $100,000 (per job!) into super. So, a 50-year-old could contribute $1.5 million before 65.

The 2009 changes mean Xers can only put $25,000 (indexed) a year into super. That is, a 35-year-old can put only $750,000 into super before 65. We have twice the time, but can only put in half as much.

Boomers and Retirees had higher contribution limits. And Gen Y will get 12 per cent of their salaries to super for longer.

They say 50 is the new 40 when it comes to ageing. But it’s the opposite with super – 40 is the new 50.

Xers need to start contributing extra to super earlier. I think that age is 40, even with a high mortgage and expensive kiddywinks.

Not necessarily loads, but contributing a little extra between 40 and 50 will have significant benefits.

General consumer apathy to super isn’t justification for you to show no interest. If you do nothing but complete a risk profile (see a basic one at www.debtman.com.au) and raise your super risk profile, you could as much as double your super by the time you turn 65, as compared to sitting in a balanced fund.

Bruce Brammall is the author of Debt Man Walking (www.debtman.com.au) and a licensed financial adviser.