Cbus super: Performance, features and fees
Cbus is an industry super fund aligned to the building and construction industries and open to all Australians to join.
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Cbus super options
You'll initially be invested in the Growth option which is the default MySuper product, however you can change investment options at any time after joining.
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Features of Cbus super
- Industry super fund. Cbus is an industry super fund, which means it's run to benefit members rather than shareholders. It began as a fund for the building and construction sector; however, anyone is now free to join.
- Choose from 5 ready-made investment options. Choose between 5 pre-mixed investment portfolios.
- MySuper investment option. The Cbus Growth option is the default low-fee, no-frills MySuper option for members who don't wish to choose their own investment option. It's designed to suit most members.
- Invest in the building industry. Cbus investments include investment in infrastructure which in turn supports the industry that many of its members work in.
- 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 Cbus account when joining or any time after you've joined by logging into your online portal.
Cbus investment options
Pre-mixed investment portfolios
You can choose between a range of ready-made diversified investment portfolios, or stick with you default MySuper option. 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 Growth option, which is the authorised MySuper option.
| Portfolio | Risk level | Benchmark asset allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Growth (MySuper) This is the default option, and is designed to suit most members. It invests in more growth assets and aims to deliver consistent, high returns over the long term. | Medium to High | Growth assets: 72% Defensive assets: 28% |
| Conservative This is the lowest risk portfolio option, offering more reliable returns and less possibility of negative returns in the short term. However this option doesn't aim for as high of returns as the other options over the long term. It has about two thirds of your balance invested in defensive assets. | Low to medium | Growth assets: 31% Defensive assets: 69% |
| Conservative Growth This portfolio invests in growth and defensive assets equally, offering some growth plus the stable returns of fixed interest and cash. | Medium | Growth assets: 52% Defensive assets: 48% |
| High Growth This option has the highest allocation to growth assets, and aims for higher returns over the long term. | High | Growth assets: 92% Defensive assets: 8% |
What insurance options are available with Cbus?
You can choose a level of cover that suits you based on how manual our job is. All members will receive the following insurance automatically when you join the fund, 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.
If you're under 25 with a low balance (less than $6000) you won't have any insurance cover applied automatically. You can increase, reduce or cancel your cover altogether at any time after joining. You also have the option of adding income protection insurance and life insurance cover at any point.
How to join Cbus super?
You can join online at any time. 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
what will it cost me to transfer all my super to Cbus
Hi Darren,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
I’m afraid we currently don’t have that information. Please visit the Cbus website or please contact them directly.
Thanks.
Faye
I work as a emergency services officer in the mining industry including construction sites. Am I able to invest with a Cbus super fund?
Hi Curious Miner,
Thanks for contacting Finder.
Yes. You can become a member and get started online. Please below on how to apply for Cbus super funds.
– You will have to verify that you are a part of the Australian construction, building or allied industries before being able to continue to the application.
– A separate form is available for those working in the industry and receiving employer contributions, for people who are self-employed, and workers who do not receive any employer contributions.
– Cbus does recommend that no matter what your personal circumstance, you are able to provide your tax file number and employer details, including your start date. Once you are ready to begin, filling in the application should take about five minutes of your time.
– If applying for the Super Income Stream it is important that you have already reached preservation age and are ready to begin making withdrawals from your superannuation savings.
– The Super Income Stream is even available to invest in if you are still employed in Australia.
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Faye
I want to know if you can use your Super money to put towards a home loan?
Hi Skye,
You can use your super as leverage to secure a loan to buy an investment property. These is called SMSF home loans.
If you are planning to buy a home you are going to live in, you may not be able to use it. As stated in our review on buying a home through an SMSF, superannuation is designed to fund retirement, not to help find the essential purchases. The purchase of an investment property is allowed because it gives you the potential to earn rental income and also take advantage of a capital gain when you sell the property, thereby increasing your retirement savings.
Hope this helps! Feel free to message us should you need further assistance.
Regards,
Nikki