Only three growth superannuation funds have made a return so far this year as funds have been unable to recoup losses induced by the global sell-off in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data.
FE Analytics data found its growth – mixed asset superannuation sector average since the start of 2020 to 31 October, 2020, was a loss of 4.09%.
The top-performing funds returned 3.37% which were Suncorp Brighter Super Multi-Manager Growth business and personal funds.
Commonwealth Superbond 2000 Managed Growth followed the two funds at 0.04%.
This was followed by CFS FS WPSup-Colonial First State Wholesale Balanced at a loss of 0.04% and VicSuper Future Saver Growth at a loss of 0.15%.
Top five performing growth superannuation funds v sector average since the start of 2020 to 31 October 2020
Source: FE Analytics
The other end of the scale saw six various AMP Capital Premium Growth funds at the bottom for the same time period with a range of losses from 20.42% and 17.18%.
Over the longer term, Australian Super High Growth Option topped the charts with a return of 47% over the five years to 31 October, 2020.
This was followed by Sunsuper Growth Option at 44.14%, CareSuper Growth at 42.3%, First State Growth Option at 40.08%, and QSuper Aggressive Option at 40%. The sector average of this time period was 22.7%.
Despite strong returns, none of the top five funds for this time period had managed to recoup losses from March.
The AustralianSuper fund was still down 6.03% from its high of 56.43% in mid-February.
Top five performing growth superannuation funds v sector average over the five years to 31 October 2020
Source: FE Analytics
The six AMP Capital Premium Growth funds were again all at the bottom of the charts with only one not making a return – AMP FLAP AMP Capital Premium Growth (-0.64%). The AMP funds’ returns ranged from -0.64% to 6.09% over the five years.
In its pre-election policy document, the FSC highlighted 15 priority reforms, with superannuation featuring prominently, urging both major parties to avoid changing super taxes without a comprehensive tax review.
The Grattan Institute has labelled the Australian super system as “too complicated” and has proposed a three-pronged reform strategy to simplify superannuation in retirement.
Super funds delivered a strong 2024 result, with the median growth fund returning 11.4 per cent, driven by strong international sharemarket performance, new data has shown.
Australian Ethical has seen FUM growth of 27 per cent in the financial year to date.