
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.
Finder Best Single Asset Classes Super Fund Awards 2023 winner!
Australian Retirement Trust - International Shares Index (unhedged)
Australian Retirement Trust - International Shares Index (unhedged) claimed the top spot in the single asset class category. The fund charges an annual fee of $192.40 on a $50,000 balance. It has offered strong international equity performance, with an annual return of 12.26% over the past 10 years and 10.13% over the past 5 years.

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.
2023 Super funds Customer Satisfaction Awards winner:
Australian Retirement Trust
Australian Retirement Trust took the top spot in our super fund category this year, with 95% of the users that we surveyed saying they'd recommend the super fund provider to a friend. Its customer satisfaction rating was 4.19 out of 5. Find more about Finder Super Funds Satisfaction Awards 2023.

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 of 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 default MySuper investment 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.
- 19 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.
- Sustainable investing. A pre-mixed, balanced socially conscious investment option is available.
- Earn a Retirement Bonus. When you're ready to retire and switch over to a Income account, a retirement bonus 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 From age 55 to 65 your investments are gradually transitioned from the Balanced Pool to the Retirement and Cash Pools on a monthly basis. | Medium |
|
Cash Pool When you're aged 65 and over you'll be invested 90% in the Retirement Pool and 10% in the Cash option. This is a 100% defensive portfolio 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 option has less exposure to growth assets compared to the Growth option. It's designed for members who want to generate wealth over the long term. | Medium to High |
|
Balanced – Index This option is similar to the Balanced option but has exposure to a range of publicly traded assets which are invested in line with standard market indicies. | 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 among other harmful industries. | 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 |
|
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
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 (standard cover):
Your age | Death cover | TPD Assist cover | Cost per week – Male | Cost per week – Female |
---|---|---|---|---|
15 -21 | $62,500 | $125,000 | $4.12 | $2.40 |
22-29 | $125,000 | $175,000 | $7.32 | $4.60 |
30-33 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $13.40 | $8.39 |
35 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $13.40 | $8.39 |
45 | $132,000 | $132,000 | $15.84 | $11.32 |
55 | $42,000 | $42,000 | $15.84 | $11.32 |
65-66 | $16,000 | $16,000 | $15.84 | $11.32 |
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
-
Superannuation calculator
Use our free superannuation calculator to see your projected retirement balance, and how this could change by switching funds.
-
Spouse super contributions
Spouse super contributions allow you to grow your partner’s super balance and also save money on tax. Here’s how spouse super contributions work.
-
Superannuation changes 2023
Here are all the changes that are happening to super this year, and how they’ll affect your superannuation balance.
-
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. Â
-
AustralianSuper vs Australian Retirement Trust (formerly Sunsuper)
Trying to decide between AustralianSuper and Sunsuper? We've compared their fees, investment options, performance and extras side by side to help you choose.
-
How to change super funds in 4 steps
Here’s what you need to know about changing super funds including how to do it, the fees that apply, how long it takes and the pros and cons of switching.
-
HESTA superannuation | Performance, features and fees
An industry super fund with all the profits benefitting members, several investment options to choose from and low fees.
-
Super co-contribution: What is the government co-contribution? (2023)
Find out if you're eligible for the government's co-contribution scheme, potentially receiving up to $500 for making personal after-tax contributions.
-
When can I access my super?
There are 3 ways you can access your super. The age you need to be to access your super will depend on when you were born.
-
How to find lost super
If you've held a super fund for a while, you may have lost super that you don't even know about. Read on to find out how to recover your lost super.
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