Sunsuper Review | Performance, features and fees

Sunsuper is designed to help you manage your super from your first day of work and throughout retirement.

Sunsuper offers a MySuper-authorised product which helps you save for your future. You’ll have access to both a Super-savings account while you’re in the workforce and an Income account for when you’re transitioning to retirement. You can also choose to take a more hands-on approach and select from a range of investment options. Sunsuper gives you complete access to your super anywhere, anytime with Member Online and the Sunsuper app. Read on to learn more about the ways you can invest.

What are the key features of Sunsuper?

• 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. Sunsuper's 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 your out and about via the mobile app.
• Member benefits. Dream Rewards is Sunsuper's member rewards program which offers deals and discounts with companies across Australia.
• 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 Sunsuper offer?

Sunsuper for life offers three 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 Sunsuper for life member the fund will automatically place you in its Lifecycle Investment Strategy (MySuper) option. With this product your super will be managed for you, starting you in a Super-savings account while you’re working then transitioning you to an Income account when you near retirement. The account will accept contributions from your employer (including salary-sacrifice contributions) as well as voluntary after-tax contributions and rollovers from other funds.

  A special feature of this product is its lifecycle strategy, gradually transitioning you towards lower-risk investments such as cash and fixed-income as you approach age 65. This works by first placing you in the Balanced Pool until you’re aged 55, and then moving you to the Retirement Pool (age 60) and then the Cash Pool (age 65).

  	Risk	5-year return*	Asset allocation
  Balanced Pool	Medium to high	10.5% p.a.	Australian shares 22.5% International shares 27.5% Private capital 7% Property 11% Diversified strategies 5% Infrastructure 8% Fixed interest 8% Hedge funds 5% Cash 6%
  Retirement Pool	Medium	7.7% p.a.	Australian shares 17.5% International shares 15.5% Private capital 5% Property 10% Diversified strategies 5% Infrastructure 7% Fixed interest 22% Hedge funds 6% Cash 12%
  Cash Pool	Very low	2.0% p.a.	Cash 100%

• Option 2 and 3: Pre-mixed diversified options or single asset options

  If you'd prefer to take control of your super, choose from one of Sunsuper’s diversified options, a single asset option, or a mix of up to 10 from their full range of 19 options.

  Diversified options

  Product	Risk	5-year return*	Asset allocation (target range)
  Growth	High	11.3% p.a.	Australian shares: 0-50% International shares: 0-70% Private capital: 0-20% Property: 0-30% Diversified strategies: 0-15% Infrastructure: 0-20% Fixed interest: 0-20% Hedge funds: 0-20% Cash: 0-20%
  Balanced	Medium to high	10.5% p.a.	Australian shares: 0-50% International shares: 0-70% Private capital: 0-15% Property: 0-30% Diversified strategies: 0-15% Infrastructure: 0-20% Fixed interest: 0-30% Hedge funds: 0-25% Cash: 0-25%
  Balanced – Index	High	10.1% p.a.	Australian shares: 20-40% International shares: 30-50% Property 0-20% Fixed interest: 20-35% Cash: 0-10%
  Socially Conscious Balanced – managed by AMP Capital Investors	Medium to high	8.8% p.a.	Australian shares: 20-40% International shares: 15-42% Property: 0-20% Infrastructure: 0-7% Fixed interest: 0-45% Cash: 0-20% Alternatives:0-6%
  Diversified Alternatives	Medium	n/a	Private capital: 20-45% Infrastructure: 20-45% Hedge funds: 20-45% Cash: 0-10%
  Retirement	Medium	7.8% p.a.	Australian shares: 0-50% International shares: 0-55% Private capital: 0-15% Property: 0-30% Diversified strategies: 0-15% Infrastructure: 0-20% Fixed interest: 0-50% Hedge funds: 0-15% Cash: 0-25%
  Conservative	Low to medium	6.2% p.a.	Australian shares: 0-30% International shares: 0-30% Private capital: 0-10% Property: 0-20% Diversified strategies: 0-15% Infrastructure: 0-20% Fixed interest: 0-70% Hedge funds: 0-15% Cash: 0-100%

  Single asset options

  Product	Risk	5-year return*	Asset allocation
  Shares	High	11.9% p.a.	Australian shares: 40-60% International shares: 40-60%
  Australian Shares	Very high	10.8% p.a.	Australian shares 100%
  Australian Shares – Index	Very high	10.5% p.a.	Australian shares 100%
  International Shares – Index (hedged)	Very high	13.9% p.a.	International shares 100%
  International Shares – Index (unhedged)	High	17.8% p.a.	International shares 100%
  Emerging Markets Shares	Very high	8.3% p.a.	International shares emerging 100% International shares developed 0%
  Property	Medium to high	9.9% p.a.	Property 100%
  Australian Property – Index	Very high	12.5% p.a.	Australian property 100%
  Diversified Bonds	Medium	3.8% p.a.	Fixed interest 100%
  Diversified Bonds – Index	Medium	4.4% p.a.	Fixed interest 100%
  Cash	Very low	2.4% p.a.	Cash 100%
  Capital Guaranteed	Very low	3.2% p.a.	Deposits with ADIs and Capital Guaranteed Investments 100%

  *Performance and asset allocation figures correct as at January 2019. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.

What fees apply?

Sunsuper for life has a number of fees and other costs which will be deducted from your account on a regular basis. Fees relate to the administration of your account and the management of your investments. Other costs may be charged for additional services including personal financial advice and insurance premiums.

For a more detailed breakdown of fees and charges, always read the PDS available on the website.

• Click to see a detailed fee breakdown for Sunsuper

  Lifecycle investment strategy	Admin fee	Total estimated investment fee	Indirect cost ratio
  Super-savings account (Balanced Pool)	$1.50 per week plus 0.10% p.a. of the first $800,000 of your account balance	0.26% p.a.	0.62% p.a.
  Income account (Retirement Pool)	$3.00 per week plus 0.10% p.a. of the first $800,000 of your account balance	0.26% p.a.	0.56% p.a.
  Diversified options
  Growth	$1.50 per week plus 0.10% p.a. of the first $800,000 of your account balance	0.31% p.a.	0.58% p.a.
  Balanced		0.31% p.a.	0.56% p.a.
  Balanced – Index		0.06% p.a.	0.19% p.a.
  Socially Conscious Balanced		0.06% p.a.	1.05% p.a.
  Diversified Alternatives		0.35% p.a.	1.76% p.a.
  Retirement		0.30% p.a.	0.56% p.a.
  Conservative		0.29% p.a.	0.38% p.a.
  Single asset options (you can choose up to 10 single asset options)
  Shares		0.28% p.a.	0.07% p.a.
  Australian Shares		0.31% p.a.	0.17% p.a.
  Australian Shares – Index		0.09% p.a.	0.01% p.a.
  International Shares – Index (hedged)		0.09% p.a.	0.01% p.a.
  International Shares – Index (unhedged)		0.09% p.a.	0.01% p.a.
  Emerging Markets Shares		0.13% p.a.	0.01% p.a.
  Property		0.16% p.a.	0.89% p.a.
  Australian Property – Index		0.06% p.a.	0.06% p.a.
  Diversified Bonds		0.34% p.a.	0.10% p.a.
  Diversified Bonds – Index		0.06% p.a.	0.14% p.a.
  Cash		0.07% p.a.	0.00% p.a.
  Capital Guaranteed		0.09% p.a.	0.27% p.a.

  Other fees and costs that may apply:

  • Insurance premiums if you have insurance cover in Sunsuper
  • Fee for personal advice from a Sunsuper financial adviser or an external adviser
  • An exit fee of $47

What insurance options does Sunsuper offer?

As a Sunsuper Super-savings account member you 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 through Sunsuper is provided by AIA Australia Limited.

If you're looking for more information on Sunsuper's life insurance take a look at our detailed guide here, and if you're looking for more information on Sunsuper's income protection insurance read here.

Note: there may be exclusions and/or restrictions which apply to your insurance cover. Check the “Sunsuper for Life Insurance Guide” available via the Sunsuper website.

How do I join Sunsuper?

If you’ve decided to select this fund you can open an accumulation account online by clicking the green "Go to Sunsuper's website" button above.

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

Sunsuper FAQs

Can you consolidate your super with Sunsuper?

If you’ve changed jobs or moved industries, it’s likely that you’ll have multiple super accounts and be paying fees on all these accounts. You can ask Sunsuper to search the ATO for any other super you may have via the Rollover tool or filling out the ‘Combine your super into Sunsuper’ form.

How do you manage your account?

You can access your super balance, update your details or manage your super investments online 24/7 via Member Online or on your mobile with the Sunsuper app.

How do I nominate my beneficiaries?

Once you sign up for an account you’ll be asked to nominate your beneficiaries. The person/s nominated will receive your super and any insured death benefit if something happens to you. You can nominate one or more dependents.

DISCLAIMER: This article may contain general advice. You should consider your own personal circumstances before deciding if a superannuation product is right for you. Superannuation is a long term investment and past performance is not indicative of future performance.