Superannuation fund members need to stop worrying over their current account balances and maintain a bigger picture view as the investment is designed as a long-term solution, according to research house SuperRatings.
The advice from SuperRatings comes as members check their account balances to see the effect the sell-off had on their retirement savings and it warned against making decisions based on an emotional reaction to the current environment.
Kirby Rappell, SuperRatings executive director, said super members far away from retirement need to stay invested.
“Knee-jerk changes to your portfolio could have a negative effect on your retirement,” Rappell said.
“Switching to cash will lock in losses and mean you miss out on the upside when the market eventually recovers.
“We suggest members talk to their fund or financial adviser to help ensure any decision is aligned with a long-term strategy.”
The firm reminded investors that for those in the 20 to 40 age bracket, you still had another 30 to 50 years before retirement, and older investors closer to retirement should be in conservative options to mitigate losses in market downturns.
According to estimates from SuperRatings, the median balanced option fell 8.9% in March and was down 10% for the quarter.
The median growth option, which was generally more exposed to shares, fell 12.5% in March and 14.1% over the quarter; the median capital stable option fell only 4.1% in March and 3.8% for the quarter.
For pension returns, the median balanced option fell 10.2% over the quarter, while the median growth option fell 14.4% and the median capital stable option fell 3.8%.
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.