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Bank super returns lag behind not-for-profit funds

Mark Bristow avatar
Mark Bristow
- 2 min read
Bank super returns lag behind not-for-profit funds

If your superannuation is held by a bank-owned fund, the value of your retirement savings may not have grown at the same rate as a not-for-profit fund, according to new data.

Analysis of the monthly SR50 Balanced Index from SuperRatings by Industry Super Australia (ISA) has found that as of 31 January 2018, industry super funds have on average outperformed bank-owned retail funds by 3.29% over one year; 3.49% over three years; and well over 2% over five, seven and ten year periods.

Average annual rate of return to 31 January 2018

1 year3 year5 year7 year10 year
Industry super funds12.7%8.3%10.0%8.8%6.2%
Bank-owned super funds9.4%4.8%7.1%6.2%4.0%
Outperformance:3.29%3.49%2.94%2.66%2.21%

Source: ISA analysis of SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index, January 2018

Industry Super Australia public affairs director, Matt Linden, said that the results highlighted the differences between the business models of bank-owned and industry super funds:

“Industry super funds send all profits back to their members, and this is reflected in better retirement savings returns.”

“Bank-owned retail funds serve two masters, splitting returns between shareholders and members.”

“Two per cent doesn’t seem like much, but over a lifetime it may add up to tens of thousands of dollars more – or, sadly, less – at retirement.”

Disclaimer

This article is over two years old, last updated on February 23, 2018. While RateCity makes best efforts to update every important article regularly, the information in this piece may not be as relevant as it once was. Alternatively, please consider checking recent superannuation articles.

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This article was reviewed by Property & Personal Finance Writer Nick Bendel before it was published as part of RateCity's Fact Check process.