Compare super funds for a super retirement

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Name	Last 1 year performance (p.a.)	Last 3 year performance (p.a.)	Last 5 year performance (p.a.)	Last 10 year performance (p.a.)	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.)
Promoted Promoted Australian Ethical Super Australian Shares Green Company Ethical Higher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +25.91%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +2.41%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +7.99%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +10.04%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $778	Go to siteMore Info Compare	This fund aims for long-term growth that beats the ASX300 Total Return Index over 7 years (after account fees and taxes).
Promoted Promoted UniSuper - High Growth Industry fund Higher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +21.95%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +5.88%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +9.29%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.93%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $451	Go to siteMore Info Compare	This fund targets high growth over a long term horizon by investing in higher growth, higher risk assets such as Australian and international shares.
Promoted Promoted Aware Super Future Saver - MySuper Lifecycle High Growth Industry fund Lifestage Higher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +17.97%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +5.6%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +8.39%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.9%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $457	Go to siteMore Info Compare	A lifecycle super fund weighted heavily towards high growth assets, targeted to people 55 and under.
Australian Ethical Super Australian Shares Green Company EthicalHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +25.91%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +2.41%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +7.99%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +10.04%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $778	Go to siteMore Info Compare
UniSuper - High Growth Best Rated Brand Industry fundHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +21.95%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +5.88%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +9.29%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.93%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $451	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Vanguard Super SaveSmart - High Growth Higher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +22.68%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $270	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Hostplus Australian Shares Industry fundHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +23.07%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +7.66%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +8.9%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.32%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $350	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Aware Super Future Saver - MySuper Lifecycle High Growth Industry fundLifestageHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +17.97%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +5.6%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +8.39%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +8.9%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $457	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Australian Retirement Trust - High Growth Industry fundHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +17.49%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +7.8%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +9.15%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.44%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $517	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Virgin Money Super - LifeStage Tracker Lifestage	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +22.42%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +6.92%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +8.01%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $363	Go to siteMore Info Compare
HESTA High Growth Industry fundHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +18.53%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +7.22%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +9.28%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.21%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $537	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Spaceship - GrowthX Higher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +29.35%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +7.11%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +11.39%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $482	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Superhero Super - High Growth Higher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +25%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +7.53%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +8.63%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $397	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Hostplus Indexed Balanced Industry fund	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +20.61%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +6.56%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +7.57%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +7.82%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $135	Go to siteMore Info Compare
CFS FC MySuper - Lifestage 1985-89 LifestageHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +22.63%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +7.1%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +7.57%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +7.89%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $375	Go to siteMore Info Compare
UniSuper - Sustainable High Growth Finder Award Best Rated Brand Industry fundEthicalHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +26.59%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +4.81%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +9%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +9.89%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $326	Go to siteMore Info Compare
CFS FC MySuper - Lifestage 1975-79 Lifestage	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +21.82%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +6.77%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +7.31%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +7.76%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $380	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Australian Ethical Super International Shares Green Company EthicalHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +26.03%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +8.32%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +10.61%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) +10.53%	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $648	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Virgin Money Super Indexed Overseas Shares Indexed investmentHigher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +27.49%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) +10.98%	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) +12.55%	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $385	Go to siteMore Info Compare
CFS FC MySuper - Lifestage 2005-09 Higher risk	Last 1 year performance (p.a.) +23.04%	Last 3 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 5 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Last 10 year performance (p.a.) N/A	Fees on $50k balance (p.a.) $365	Go to siteMore Info Compare

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The information in this table is based on data provided by SuperRatings Pty Limited ABN 95 100 192 283, a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1309956) of Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561, Australian Financial Services Licence No. 421445. In limited instances, where data is not available from SuperRatings for a product, the data is provided directly by the superannuation fund.

*Past performance data and fee data is for the period ending October 2024

What do super funds do?

Super funds take the superannuation money that you're paid by your employer (or your own contributions) and invest it on your behalf into things like shares. The money is your money, it's just managed by the super fund until you're old enough to legally access it (usually 65).

Just like there are lots of different banks to choose from, there are lots of super funds too. You can choose which super fund you'd like to look ater your superannuation money, and switch super funds at any time.

How to compare super funds

If you're looking for the best super fund, here are 6 key features to look for.

Low fees

The lower the fees the better, as higher superannuation fees will eat into your investment returns. A general rule of thumb is to make sure the fees are less than 1% of the value of your super balance per year (so for a $50,000 balance, aim for annual fees around $500 or less). One exception to this is if you've chosen a specialty fund, for example a fund that invests ethically. In this case, you may justify the higher fee as these funds can be more expensive to manage - but this is a personal choice.

High long-term performance

Look at the 5- and 10-year performance returns instead of only looking at the past year's performance. Super is a long-term investment, so you want a fund that has consistent, strong performance over the long term rather than a one-off good year. So for a standard balanced MySuper product, 10-year performance of around 7-8% p.a. or better is quite good. If it's a high growth option, you can expect 10-year performance even higher than this.

An investment strategy that suits your age

Generally, you should invest in more high-risk growth assets (like shares) while you're young because you have plenty of time to ride out any short-term market falls. If you're young and want to take on more risk, compare high-growth investment options.

An investment strategy for your risk appetite

Some funds offer life-stage investment options, meaning they'll adjust your investments for you as you get older so you're not taking on too much risk. Others will offer pre-mixed options based on certain risk levels and regardless of age, e.g. balanced, conservative or high growth. Think about which option works best for you before comparing.

An investment approach that aligns with your values

According to Finder data, 43% of Australians are interested in their super being invested ethically. If you're passionate about investing ethically and want to exclude certain industries such as fossil fuels or tobacco, choose a fund that offers a sustainable or ethical investment option.

Insurance cover for your needs

Most funds will offer a default level of cover for death and TPD insurance automatically when you join. If you need more cover, for example, income protection, check if the fund offers it before joining. Take a look at the fund's PDS to understand the default level of cover offered and the cost.

You might decide that you don't need insurance cover at all. According to our analysis, you can save $22 per year and over $10,000 by the time you retire on average by switching to a fund without insurance cover.

Expert insight

"Your superannuation account is an investment; you want to add as much as you can while reducing the costs associated with your superannuation account. Maximise incomings while minimise outgoings – simple.

To maximise the inputs into your super – other than through contributions – take a look at fund performance. If your fund is consistently underperforming its competitors over the long term, this means you will likely have significantly less money when you get to retirement.

To reduce your outgoings of your super, run a fee comparison between your fund and others. A general rule is that your super fund's fees should be around 1 per cent. "

Pascale Helyar-Moray OAM

Founder of Grow My Money and author of Rich Woman, Poor Woman.

How to choose the right super fund for you

If you're under 35

Because you have so much time on your hands, it's generally recommended you invest via a high-growth investment option. Shares can be volatile in the short term but continue to perform exceptionally well over the long term.

If you're 35–55

You still have 10–30 years before retirement, which is still plenty of time to stay invested in a high-growth option. As you get closer to 50 you may have a lower risk tolerance and could consider gradually reducing your exposure to shares by switching to a balanced investment option (or splitting your money between high growth and balanced).

If you're over 55

As you get closer to retirement it's generally advised to have a more balanced mix of investments. Your super will stay invested for many years even after you turn 55 so it's important to have some exposure to shares so your balance continues to grow, but you might not want all your balance invested in shares.

Remember, there's no set rule for how you should invest based on your age alone, these are just some general ideas to get you started.

"I ignored my super balance for years. I even kept an old fund open with a few thousand dollars in it. Bad idea. Then I consolidated funds and switched from my default balanced option to a higher growth, higher risk option. This suits me because I am decades from retirement, so I can handle some volatility. And growth is my main objective. I only wish I'd done it earlier in life!"

Richard Whitten

Editor

What's happening with super funds in January 2025?

New data from Super Ratings published in January 2025 reveled super funds performed well over the past 12 months. According to the research, the median Balanced super fund returned 11.1% for the full 2024 calendar year, and the median Growth super fund returned 13.4% p.a.

The Super Ratings data revealed investment companies Raiz and Vanguard's super products were among the top performing super funds in 2024.

Plus, to kick-off the new year the Liberal party has said, if elected, it will re-introduce a policy to allow some Australians to access $50,000 from their super fund to use towards a house deposit.

Market update from Finder's superannuation editor, Alison Banney.

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Comparing different super fund investment options

Once you decide on a super fund to join you can also decide how you want your super to be invested by that fund.

When you join a super fund you'll usually initially be placed in its default product option which is called the MySuper product (usually this is the balanced option). This is the standard super investment option that is designed to suit most members and it's where the majority of Australians have their super invested.

Other super investment options are usually based on risk level and asset class, for example:

• Conservative: This option will invest in more defensive, low-risk assets like cash and bonds. It's designed to protect your balance, rather than achieve high returns.
• Balanced or growth: A balanced or growth option offers a more even mix between defensive and growth assets, but it'll still skew more towards growth assets (like shares).
• High growth: These options invest heavily in shares and are more high-risk in the short term, but usually achieve better returns over the long term.
• Single sector options: Unlike the previous 3 options which are diversified funds, single sector investment options will invest entirely into one asset class such as shares.

Some funds offer an ethical investment option, too.

How different super investment options perform

Typically you can expect a high growth option to achieve better returns over the long term compared to a balanced or conservative option. However, they can also experience more volatility in the short term as having increased exposure to shares makes them more vulnerable when there's a market fall.

Data is supplied by Super Rating and relates to the performance period ending May 2024.

Our expert says

"You don't need to choose an investment option when you join a new fund if you don't want to. The default options are designed to suit most people, and many are among the top-performing funds each year. If you do want to change your super investment option later, you can do this easily by logging in to your account online or via the fund's mobile app. Also, keep in mind you can split your account balance between various options. This could be a good solution if you can't decide between two different investment options."

Alison Banney

Editor

Why should you compare super funds?

According to Finder data, 58% of Australians are with the super fund that their employer chose for them and almost half (48%) of us have stuck with the same super fund for our whole life so far.

But what if the fund your employer chose isn't great? If you're stuck in an underperforming fund, it could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time you retire.

Steps to switch funds

1. Choose a new fund. The comparison table above can help you choose a new super fund.
2. Join the new fund. Complete the online application form available on the fund's website.
3. Move your super into your new fund. Just enter the details of your previous fund when you submit the application form and the new fund will arrange for your balance to be transferred over - you don't need to do this yourself.
4. Let your employer know. Let your employer know right away so they can pay your next super guarantee payment to the correct fund.

If you need a bit more help, see our guide on how to change super funds for a detailed process.

Frequently asked questions for super funds

• What is superannuation?

  Your superannuation will be used to help fund your retirement. Throughout your working life, a small amount of the money you earn each year will be sent to your chosen super fund (instead of your bank account). The idea is that by putting aside a small chunk of your earnings on a regular basis from the day you start your first job, you should have enough money to live on when you retire.

• What is the best super fund?

  The best super fund for you will depend on your age, risk tollerance and investment preference. You can look at Finder's best super funds guide for more help choosing.

• How do I check my super balance?

  You'll receive an account statement once or twice a year. Most funds will have an online portal or mobile app you can log in to and see an up-to-date transaction history and balance for your account.

  You can also see your current super balance by logging in to your myGov account online.

• How much super do I need to retire?

  According to the latest retirement standard by the ASFA, you need around $595,000 in super for a comfortable retirement as a single person, or a collective $690,000 for couples⁷. This is just a guide – you may need more or less than this depending on your lifestyle.

  Both single people and couples require a $100,000 super balance for a modest retirement, according to the ASFA.

• How can I grow my super?

  • Make sure you're in a low-fee, high-performing fund
  • Consolidate funds so you only have one in your name
  • Consider making additional super contributions
  • Consider investing in a high growth option

• What happens to my super if I change jobs?

  Your super will come with you from job to job. When you start a new job, let your employer know your super account details so they can pay your super contributions into your existing fund. If you don't let them know they will still pay your super but will use their default fund.

• What should I consider when comparing funds in 2025?

  Local and global share markets performed really well in 2024. Because super funds are major investors in global shares, super fund returns also rose significantly in 2024. This means if you're comparing funds in 2025 you'll notice strong short term growth in many funds.

  Make sure you look at 5 and 10-year performance to get a longer, more accurate view of how a fund has performed over time.

Why you can trust Finder's super fund experts

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You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching super funds so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.

You compare more. Our comparison tools bring you more super funds from across the market.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten and reviewed by Ryan Watson, a member of Finder's Editorial Review Board.

Written by

Alison Banney

Editor

Alison Banney is the money editorial manager at Finder. She covers all areas of personal finance, and her areas of expertise are superannuation, banking and saving. She has written about finance for 10 years, having previously worked at Westpac and written for several other major banks and super funds. See full bio

Alison's expertise

Alison has written 626 Finder guides across topics including:

• Superannuation
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• Budgeting and money-saving hacks
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