Socially-responsible super funds are paying off for members with funds taking this approach offering the best rewards in the balanced sector.
The best-performing balanced super fund over one year to 30 September, 2021, was ANZ Smart Choice Super Legg Mason Diversified which returned 18.9%.
Australian Ethical Balanced Accumulation and Australian Catholic Super Socially Responsible Option were also in the top five and both focused on investing responsibly. They had returns of 18.8% and 18.6% respectively.
The Mixed Asset Balanced sector had returned 12.8% over the same period within the Australian superannuation universe.
Performance of balanced super funds versus sector over one year to 30 September 2021
Looking over three years, the best-performing balanced super fund on a total return basis was Australian Catholic Super Socially Responsible Option which returned 33.7% followed by Australian Ethical Balanced Accumulation which returned 33.4% and Australian Catholic Super MySuper Balanced Option which had returns of 31.6%.
This compared to returns of 18.3% by the Mixed Asset Balanced sector of 18.3%.
Performance of balanced super funds versus sector over three years to 30 September 2021
The regulator has fined two super funds for misleading sustainability and investment claims, citing ongoing efforts to curb greenwashing across the sector.
Super funds have extended their winning streak, with balanced options rising 1.3 per cent in October amid broad market optimism.
Introducing a cooling off period in the process of switching super funds or moving money out of the sector could mitigate the potential loss to fraudulent behaviour, the outgoing ASIC Chair said.
Widespread member disengagement is having a detrimental impact on retirement confidence, AMP research has found.