Balanced superannuation funds furthered the September quarter’s positive momentum, posting strong results in the last month.
September saw a 1.3 per cent spike in the average median balanced option, while the first quarter of the financial year recorded a median return of 4.8 per cent - the second highest on record in the last three years, according to Super Ratings.
Australian equities were responsible for much of the positive returns, with the median superannuation Australian Shares option offering 2.5 per cent, next to the 2.2 per cent on the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index.
International shares also did well, bringing in 1 per cent over the month of September.
Other asset classes, meanwhile, showed similar promise, with property options gaining 1.2 per cent and diversified fixed interest and cash options growing slightly at 0.5 and 0.2 per cent respectively.
Rest Superannuation has topped the list of balanced funds for the last five years, with a median 7.6 per cent growth, followed by the Commonwealth Bank Group and Telstra Super, each on 7.4 per cent.
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.