Australian Retirement Trust | Performance, features and fees
QSuper and Sunsuper have merged to create Australian Retirement Trust. It offers a large range of different investment options, including an ethical option and a MySuper product.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Sunsuper and QSuper merged on 28 February 2022 to create Australian Retirement Trust. Existing members of Sunsuper will remain part of Australian Retirement Trust, and the superannuation investment products will remain the same.
Australian Retirement Trust (formerly Sunsuper) performance and fees
When joining this fund you'll automatically be invested in the Lifecycle option which invests your super according to your age. After joining you can switch your investment option at any time. The investment options offered are the same as those previously offered by Sunsuper.
1 - 1 of 1
What are the key features of Australian Retirement Trust?
- Merger between Sunsuper and QSuper. Sunsuper and QSuper merged on 28 February 2022 to create Australian Retirement Trust. anyone can join Australian Retirement Trust, however there are some eligibility criteria in order to join QSuper (which is part if Australian Retirement Trust).
- Lifecycle investment strategy. This strategy is an ideal set-and-forget investment option as it adjusts in line with your age throughout your working life.
- MySuper authorised. The Lifecycle investment option is the authorised MySuper investment option; a low-fee, no-frills default option.
- Flexible insurance cover. Access to death and total and permanent disability assist cover, with the option to increase or decrease your cover and add income protection insurance.
- 20 different investment options. You can choose from a Lifecycle investment option, between a number of pre-mixed diversified options or create a build-your-own option.
- Manage your super online or via a mobile app. Enjoy easy access to your super online or when you're out and about via the mobile app.
- Socially responsible investing. A pre-mixed, balanced socially responsible investment option is available.
- Earn a Retirement Bonus. When you're ready to retire and switch over to a Income account, a retirement bonus of up to $4,800 may be paid on funds moved into your new account.
What investment options does Australian Retirement Trust (formerly Sunsuper) offer?
The Super Savings product (previously Sunsuper for Life) offers 3 ways to invest depending on how hands-on you want to be with your super. These options are detailed below:
Option 1: Lifecycle investment strategy
When you apply to become a member the fund will automatically place you in its Lifecycle investment strategy (MySuper) option. Your super will be managed for you, and will be invested in a Balanced fund for the majority of your working life. It'll then gradually reduce your exposure to growth assets as you get closer to retirement.
| Lifestage options | Risk | Asset allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Balanced Pool Members will be invested in the Balanced option until they're 55, which aims for medium to long-term growth with a mix of growth and defensive assets. | Medium to high |
|
| Retirement Pool Once you turn 55, you'll be invested in the Retirement option instead of the Balanced option. The retirement option has a much lower allocation to growth assets, but still aims to achieve some growth over the short to medium term. | Medium |
|
| Cash Pool When you're aged 65 and over you'll be invested in the Cash option, which is 100% defensive with no exposure to growth assets. | Very low |
|
Option 2 Pre-mixed investment options
If you'd prefer a bit more choice with your super, you can choose from one of these diversified options.
| Pre-mixed investment options | Risk | Asset allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Growth This is the highest-growth option, with more than 80% asset allocation to growth investments including shares. | High |
|
| Balanced This is the default investment for all members under 55, unless you choose otherwise. | Medium to High |
|
| Balanced – Index This option has the same level of asset allocation to growth investments as the Balanced option, but it invests in indices and ETFs. | High |
|
| Socially Conscious Balanced This option avoids investment in companies that generate more than 5% of revenue from alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pornography, coal or nuclear power manufacturing. | Medium to High |
|
| Diversified Alternatives This option provides greater exposure to unlisted investments and trading strategies. | Medium |
|
| Retirement This option is designed for members who are close to, or have reached retirement and has less exposure to growth assets, meaning less short-term volatility. | Medium |
|
| Conservative This option is designed for members who seek less volatile returns for their super while maintaining some growth exposure. | Low to Medium |
|
Option 3: Single asset class options
This is for members who want to be hands-on with their super. You can choose to invest your balance in just one single asset option, or a mix of up to 10.
- Shares
- Australian Shares
- Australian Shares - Index
- International Shares - Index (hedged)
- International Shares - Index (unhedged)
- Emerging Market Shares
- Property
- Australian Property - Index
- Diversified Bonds
- Diversified Bonds - Index
- Cash
- Capital Guaranteed
What insurance options does Australian Retirement Trust offer?
Members will automatically receive access to death and total and permanent disability assist cover, and have the option to increase cover and add income protection insurance, provided you meet some basic criteria.
The amount of death and TPD assist cover you will receive with your account will depend on your age and the type of cover. You also have the option to increase your level of cover, should you wish to do so.
The cost of your cover will depend on your age and gender and the cost will change with your age over time. Premiums are calculated weekly and are deducted from your account each month. Once you are retired, you can continue your insurance cover as long as you continue to hold a Super-savings account (with a minimum account balance of $1,500).
Example Death and TPD Assist cover levels and cost (new member options):
| Your age | Death cover | TPD Assist cover | Cost per week – Male | Cost per week – Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | $62,500 | $125,000 | $2.28 | $1.36 |
| 25 | $125,000 | $175,000 | $3.92 | $2.68 |
| 35 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $7.08 | $4.84 |
| 45 | $132,000 | $132,000 | $8.44 | $6.76 |
| 55 | $42,000 | $42,000 | $8.44 | $6.76 |
| 65 | $16,000 | $16,000 | $8.44 | $6.76 |
Insurance offered is provided by AIA Australia Limited.
Note: there may be exclusions and/or restrictions which apply to your insurance cover. Check the "Insurance Guide" available via the Australian Retirement Trust website.
How do I join Australian Retirement Trust?
You can join this fund by completing the online application form.
Make sure you have:
- A spare 10 minutes
- Your personal details, including your name, address, date of birth and contact information
- Your tax file number (it's not compulsory to give a super fund your TFN, but without it your fund won't be able to accept certain types of contributions from you and your benefit payments may be taxed at a higher rate than would otherwise apply)
- Your employer's details
More guides on Finder
-
Kogan Super | Performance, features and fees
Kogan Super offers 5 different investment options that each have low fees and mostly follow an indexed investment approach.
-
Retirement planning in Australia
This guide explains how to devise a superannuation strategy that works for you and how to plan for further income in old age, and gives you tips for pulling it all together.
-
Superhero Super: How to invest your super with Superhero
Superhero Super offers two different investment options which both give members more control over how their super is invested. Here's how the super account works.
-
What is superannuation?
Superannuation is the main way of saving for your retirement in Australia. Your superannuation is one big investment portfolio in your name that's managed for you by your super fund.
-
Superannuation statistics
There are 24.4 million super accounts in Australia from a total of 84 funds, with MySuper assets equalling $812 billion. Find out more in our report.
-
International Women’s Day Report 2021
Finder's International Women's Day report explores the personal finance gap between men and women and the key drivers of financial inequality.
-
Finder Investing Report
Finder's Investing Report 2021 discusses what this year has in store for shares, property, micro-investing and superannuation. Access the report here.
-
Verve Super: Performance, features and fees
Verve Super is an ethical super fund designed by women for women and open to all Australians to join.
-
Australian Retirement Trust (formerly Sunsuper) vs HESTA: Which super fund is right for you?
We've compared the fees, investment options and performance for both Sunsuper and HESTA to help you choose between these two popular super funds.
Ask an Expert
How long will takes for a payment to be made since l have made my application for my payments 5 months ago and nothing happen?
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
If you are referring to your Sunsuper payment, it would be a good idea to ask the company directly. You need to make a follow up as your request might have been overlooked. Checking the status of your request would help you better know what happened to the payment.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua