Published: 20 Jul 2017
Independent data measuring the performance of Australia’s superannuation funds shows that the performance gap is widening between not-for-profit industry super funds and for-profit bank-owned super funds.
The latest SuperRatings monthly data shows, on average, industry super funds have outperformed bank-owned super funds by more than 2% over 10 years.
“The growing gap between industry fund and bank-owned fund performance should be ringing alarm bells for members of bank-owned superfunds and the Government,” said David Whiteley, Industry Super Australia chief executive.
“The banks and their superfunds are failing to meet their social license obligations as managers of workers’ compulsory retirement savings.”
“Industry super fund continued outperformance comes down to industry super funds asset allocation and the questionable profit orientation of bank-owned super funds which is eroding their members’ nest eggs.
“The decade long failure of the banks to match industry super funds returns could means millions of Australians retiring with less or working longer.
“The data brings into question the legitimacy of bank-owned super funds as a part of the compulsory super system given their chronic underperformance,” he said.
| Fund type | 1 Year % | 3 Year % | 5 Year % | 7 Year % | 10 Year % |
| Industry Super Funds | 11.15 | 7.98 | 10.54 | 8.96 | 5.14 |
| Bank-Owned Super Funds | 8.42 | 5.80 | 8.33 | 6.68 | 3.02 |
| Outperformance | 2.74 | 2.19 | 2.22 | 2.28 | 2.12 |
Source: ISA analysis of SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, SR50 - balanced option medians, June 2017
Industry super funds have also dominated SuperRatings top 10 rankings for balanced options for the year to June 2017, delivering superior returns to their members.
David Whiteley is available for interview. Media contact: Phil Davey 0414 867 188.
Industry Super Australia Pty Ltd ABN 72 158 563 270, Corporate Authorised Representative No. 426006 of Industry Fund Services Ltd ABN 54 007 016 195 AFSL 232514.
Consider a fund’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your personal financial situation, needs or objectives, which are not accounted for in this information, before making an investment decision.) Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
*The above material, whilst correct at the time of publication may include references or statements which are no longer current.