Superannuation

Best / Top Performing Super Funds on SMSF Mate’s Radar

  • Sonny RahimSonny Rahim
  • Updated Dec 19, 2022

  • Mate Checked

    This information has been reviewed by our SMSF Mates before it was published as part of our review process.

2020 began with a bang for Australian investors, with global equity markets falling between 20% – 40% from the February highs to the March lows. These market jitters were on the back of COVID-19 concerns and how the pandemic would impact the global economy. As the storm clouds appear to have receded, Australian investors look to how they can rebuild their super balance for the future. The team at SMSF Mate is continuously scanning for the top-performing super funds on our radar so you can determine if you are getting the best bang for your buck.

FTSE100-chart-SMSF Mate

The damage was done to investment performance in the short term, demonstrating the importance of selecting a top-performing super fund so you and your super balance can weather the storm as best as possible. Whilst past performance can’t be taken as gospel for future returns, it can give you an indication of the fund’s ability to generate stable returns historically and that the investment management team are competent in their approach to investing. Performance is certainly important to consider; however, there are many other important considerations, such as the fees charged within the fund and the type of insurance offered. 

With all this considered, the team at SMSF Mate has compiled a list of the best-performing super funds over various timeframes to give you an idea of what stacks up and what doesn’t. As we have already mentioned, past performance does not guarantee future returns, but it can show us that the fund has historically delivered stable returns and is somewhat capable in their approach. All the figures quoted in the tables below are net investment returns, meaning that they are quoted after all applicable fees and charges. 

The investment performance tables below show a snapshot of super funds on SMSF Mate’s radar and based on someone aged between 35-55 with a balance of $150,000 – $250,000. The funds have been sorted by the best to worst performing over a three, five and seven-year timeframe. The investment returns data used by SMSF Mate in the tables below was used to rate the super fund and was provided by the super funds listed.

It’s important to read the PDS issued by the super fund to determine whether its right for you before deciding to select the fund. Investment returns can fluctuate over time, so past performance does not guarantee future returns.

Best super fund performance: seven-year investment returns

 

Super Fund Ranking Investment Option 1 Year Returns 3 Year Returns 7 Year Returns More Information
Australian Super 5 Stars Balanced +0.3 +6.5 +8.6 Learn More
HOSTPLUS Personal Super 5 Stars Balanced -2.0 +5.5 +8.3 Learn More
Statewide Super Employer-Sponsored 5 Stars MySuper -1.3 +5.4 +8.3 Learn More
CareSuper Employee Plan 4 Stars Balanced -0.1 +5.3 +7.7 Learn More
First State Super – Personal 4 Stars  Growth +1.3 +6.1 +7.7 Learn More
BussQ Premium Choice 3 Stars Balanced Growth (Premium) +2.2 +5.2 +7.7 Learn More

Best super fund performance: three-year investment returns

The investment performance tables below show a snapshot of super funds on SMSF Mate’s radar and based on someone aged between 35-55 with a balance of $150,000 – $250,000. The funds have been sorted by the best to worst performing over a three, five and seven-year timeframe. The investment returns data used by SMSF Mate in the tables below was used to rate the super fund and was provided by the super funds listed.

It’s important to read the PDS issued by the super fund to determine whether its right for you before deciding to select the fund. Investment returns can fluctuate over time, so past performance does not guarantee future returns.

 

Super Fund Ranking Investment Option 1 Year Returns 3 Year Returns 7 Year Returns More Information
Australian Super 5 Stars Balanced +0.3 +6.5 +8.6 Learn More
Virgin Money Super 3 Stars Lifestage -0.8 +6.4 N/A Learn More
Virgin Money Super 3 Stars  Lifestage -0.9 +6.4 N/A Learn More
Australian Ethical Super 3 Stars Balanced (Accumulation) +2.2 +6.3 N/A Learn More
Virgin Money Super 3 Stars Lifestage -1.0 +6.3 N/A Learn More
Vision Professional 3 Stars Balanced Growth +1.7 +6.2 +7.7 Learn More

Best super fund performance: one-year investment returns

The investment performance tables below show a snapshot of super funds on SMSF Mate’s radar and based on someone aged between 35-55 with a balance of $150,000 – $250,000. The funds have been sorted by the best to worst performing over a three, five and seven-year timeframe. The investment returns data used by SMSF Mate in the tables below was used to rate the super fund and was provided by the super funds listed.

It’s important to read the PDS issued by the super fund to determine whether its right for you before deciding to select the fund. Investment returns can fluctuate over time, so past performance does not guarantee future returns.

Super Fund Ranking Investment Option 1 Year Returns 3 Year Returns 7 Year Returns More Information
Spaceship 3 Stars N/A +13.1 N/A N/A Learn More
Future Super 3 Stars N/A +5.5 N/A N/A Learn More
Australian Ethical Super 3 Stars Balanced (Accumulation) +2.2 +6.3 N/A Learn More
BussQ Premium Choice 3 Stars Premium Balanced Growth +2.2 +5.2 +7.7 Learn More
Vision Personal 3 Stars Balanced Growth +1.7 +6.2 +7.7 Learn More
WA Super Solutions 3 Stars My WASuper +1.6 +5.4 +6.7 Learn More

Why does super fund performance matter?

Staying on top of your retirement savings is vitally important as your superannuation will eventually replace your income when you retire. Taking the time to understand your super, how it’s performing and what it costs while you are still in the workforce will give you the best chance for success in your later years. To demonstrate how important even a slight difference in performance can be, we have generated a hypothetical example in the table below—the difference in performance as little as 0.5% can make a significant impact over the long run which further highlights why it’s so important to keep an eye on things. 

What’s the difference that 1% investment returns can make to you retirement savings when you retire?
Age 25 y/o 25 y/o 25 y/o
Income $50,000 with an annual increase of 2.5% $50,000 with an annual increase of 2.5% $50,000 with an annual increase of 2.5%
Super Earnings 6% per annum 7% per annum 8% per annum
Annual Fees 1% of the balance 1% of the balance 1% of the balance
Account Balance (age 65) $884,701 $1,094,743 $1,410,203

A slight difference in performance over the long-term can make a significant difference in your super savings when you retire, as you can see from the table shown above. Paying close attention to your super fund’s returns is important for this reason, but it’s important to look at the returns over a variety of timeframes and not just focus on the short-term numbers. Stay up to date with the fund’s activity by reading the quarterly and annual reports which they will email to you if you are invested, or can be found on their website if you are interested in investing.

General Advice Warning

Sonny Rahim

Premia Private

Sonny Rahim is a finance professional based out of the Greater Perth Area. He is the director and founder of Premia Private, a multi-faceted finance business with advisory divisions and expertise in the areas of Strategic Planning, Wealth Management, Investment Management, Debt and Personal Insurances. Sonny is one of the founders of SMSF Mate.

Sonny studied in the Private Markets Investment Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and also participated in the Oxford Entrepreneurship Venture Finance. He also completed a Bachelor’s Degree, Commerce (Accounting and Finance) at Curtin University in Western Australia.

As well as being a founder and managing director of the Premia Financial Group, Sonny has worked as an investment fund manager and a chartered accountant. He sits on the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia.

You can find out more about Sonny or connect with him on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonny-r-rahim-28959333/

Or visit his website here: http://www.premiaprivate.com.au/

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Kind words from Aussies managing
their own self funded futures

  • SMSF Mate is a unique website because it has ideas about how to approach SMSFs, insurance and other financial topics that come straight from first hand experience. It's much more useful than what you find on all the other financial websites that just offer generic info that you could easily get on the ATO's website. It's also nice to know there's no financial incentive behind the information, it's legitimately there to help people understand self-managed super funds and how to get the most out of them, not to get an affiliate commission from a broker or other financial services provider. The investment product information is also incredibly useful, I've never seen this kind of functionality on any other website that let's you look at such a wide range of products, sort by what info is most interesting or important to you, and subscribe to updates for different funds and financial products all in one place. Definitely worth checking out if you own or are considering an SMSF!

    David G, Self-Employed, SMSF Owner
  • SMSF Mate provides a unique insight into superannuation and financial topics in a way that is easier to understand than conventional websites. The colloquial nature of the site makes it easy to understand and they often speak about complicated topics in lamens terms so I can wrap my head around them. The investment product information is a great way to research funds that I am interested in investing in with my SMSF and there is a lot of helpful information on the site for better structuring my investment portfolio. In comparison to other websites which offer similar information, SMSF Mate excels as the information is free to access whereas many other sites charge a subscription fee for the same thing. Overall, I think SMSF Mate is a great resource for SMSF trustees and is worth looking at for a variety of super-related topics. Thanks.

    Tim B, Business Owner, SMSF Trustee