HostPlus super review | Performance, features and fees
Hostplus is an industry super fund open to all members with strong returns and low-fee indexed investment options.
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Hostplus super options
You'll automatically be placed in the Balanced fund, which is the default MySuper option, when you join. After joining you're able to switch to another investment option at any time.
What are the key features of Hostplus?
- Industry super fund. Hostplus is an industry super fund, which means it's run to benefit members rather than shareholders. It began as a fund for the hospitality, tourism and sporting sector; however, anyone is now free to join.
- Choose from 13 investment options. Choose between six pre-mixed investment portfolios or seven single asset classes.
- MySuper investment option. The Balanced option is the default low-fee, no-frills MySuper option for members who don't wish to choose their own investment option.
- Ethical investments available. There's a socially responsible option available that invests in companies with a positive social and environmental impact.
- Default insurance cover. Eligible members receive automatic death and total permanent disablement (TPD) cover.
- Consolidate your super online. You can opt to consolidate your existing super into your new Hostplus account when joining or any time after you've joined by logging into your online portal.
What investment options are available with Hostplus?
You can choose from a range of pre-mixed investment portfolios, or build your own portfolio with the single sector options.
Option 1: Pre-mixed investment portfolios
Choose between a range of ready-made diversified investment portfolios and let Hostplus take care of the rest. Each portfolio offers a different mix of high-risk growth assets and low-risk defensive assets. As such, each portfolio carries a different risk level. You can see what assets are classed as growth and defensive below:
- Growth assets: Australian and international shares, private equity, infrastructure and property, alternatives.
- Defensive assets: Infrastructure, property, fixed income and cash (such as term deposits).
If you don't want to make a choice, you'll be placed in the Balanced option, which is the authorised MySuper option.
| Portfolio | Risk level | Benchmark asset allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Balanced (MySuper) This is the default option. It invests in more growth assets and aims to deliver consistent, high returns over the long term. | High | Growth assets: 75% Defensive assets: 25% |
| Capital Stable This is the lowest risk portfolio option, offering more reliable returns. | Low to medium | Growth assets: 32.5% Defensive assets: 67.5% |
| Conservative Balanced This portfolio invests in growth and defensive assets equally, offering some growth plus the safety of cash. | Medium to high | Growth assets: 51% Defensive assets: 49% |
| Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Balanced This portfolio invests in companies that make a positive social and environmental impact. | High | Growth assets: 70% Defensive assets: 30% |
| Indexed Balanced This portfolio invests in more growth assets than defensive assets, but unlike the Balanced option, it does not invest in property or infrastructure. | High | Growth assets: 75% Defensive assets: 25% |
| Shares Plus This is the highest risk option and invests heavily in Australian and international shares. | High | Growth assets: 86% Defensive assets: 14% |
Option 2: Sector investment options
You can create your own portfolio using a mix of these single asset class options.
| Sector investment option | Risk | Benchmark asset allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Cash This option includes term deposits and savings accounts. | Very low | Cash: 100% |
| Diversified Fixed Interest This option includes corporate and government bonds. | Medium to high | Fixed income: 100% |
| Property This options includes residential and commercial property and buildings. | High | Property: 100% |
| Australian Shares This option includes only companies listed in Australia. | High | Australian shares: 100% |
| International Shares This option includes companies listed on international exchanges in both emerging and developed markets. | Very high | International shares: 100% |
| International shares - Indexed This option includes international shares via products like ETFs. | Very high | International shares: 100% |
| International Shares (Hedged) - Indexed This option invests in shares hedged against currency price movements. | Very High | International shares: 100% |
What insurance options are available with Hostplus?
You'll receive the following insurance automatically when you join Hostplus, provided you have no pre-existing conditions:
- Death. This is paid to your beneficiary (usually your spouse or a member of your immediate family) in the event of your unexpected death.
- Total and permanent disability (TPD). This is paid to you in the event you become disabled and can no longer work.
You can increase, reduce or cancel your cover altogether at any time after joining Hostplus. You also have the option of adding income protection insurance and life insurance cover at any point.
How do I join Hostplus?
You can join Hostplus online on the Hostplus website. The application process is simple and should take you less than 20 minutes to complete.
As well as your full name and date of birth, make sure you have the following details handy before you start the application:
- Your Australian residential address
- Your phone number and email address
- Your tax file number (TFN)
- Your chosen investment option and insurance cover
- Details of your existing super fund if you'd like to consolidate your funds during the application process
Once your application has been completed successfully, you'll receive your membership details by email.
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Ask an Expert
Most industry funds advertise an annual fee of roughly $550-650 for, say a balanced fund, based on an investment of $50,000. Can I rightly assume that larger amounts have fee scales as direct multiples of the number of $50K aliquots in the investment or is there some other form of sliding scale relative to the larger amounts?
For instance, if an investment is $3M would the annual fee be automatically 60 times x the base figure (60×550=$33000)?
Hi Terencel,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
It is best to contact and confirm with HostPlus directly to find out what they are charging you. You can also check with them other important factors like the fee scales, returns, risk and the services the fund provides.
Kind Regards,
Faye