In another year of the pandemic, which growth superannuation fund was best able to navigate the market environment for its members?
According to data from FE Analytics, in the Australian Superannuation growth mixed assets sector, Hostplus Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Balanced fund returned 22.10% over 12 months to 31 December, 2021.
The SRI fund aimed to offer investors a superannuation fund which avoided fossil fuels and weapons and instead invested in those assets which contributed to positive sustainable outcomes such as renewable energy and green bonds.
This was followed by Sunsuper Growth Option which returned 20.5% and Hostplus Balanced which returned 19.08%.
Rounding out the top five best-performing growth super funds was MLC MK Super Fundamentals Horizon 5 Growth Portfolio and CFS FirstChoice High Growth Select with returns of 18.3% and 18.1% respectively.
The sector as a whole, which contained over 350 funds, returned an average of 12.5%.
There were no funds which reported a loss, the lowest performance came from NGS Diversified Option which returned 3%.
Performance of top three growth super funds versus sector over one year to 31 December 2021
The Future Fund’s CIO Ben Samild has announced his resignation, with his deputy to assume the role of interim CIO.
The fund has unveiled reforms to streamline death benefit payments, cut processing times, and reduce complexity.
A ratings firm has placed more prominence on governance in its fund ratings, highlighting that it’s not just about how much money a fund makes today, but whether the people running it are trustworthy, disciplined, and able to deliver for members in the future.
AMP has reached an agreement in principle to settle a landmark class action over fees charged to members of its superannuation funds, with $120 million earmarked for affected members.