Smaller super funds top balanced fund rankings

SuperRatings has shared the top 10 balanced options of the last financial year.

The Raiz Super Moderately Aggressive options was the top-performing option in the SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index, according to SuperRatings, returning 13.8 per cent over the last financial year. 

It was closely followed by legalsuper – MySuper Balanced option and Hostplus – Index Balanced option, returning 12.6 per cent and 12.0 per cent, respectively.

According to its analysis, the rest of the top 10 performing options were:

- Colonial First State First Choice Wholesale Personal – Enhanced Index Balanced with a 12 per cent return
- Vanguard Super SaveSmart – Growth with 11.8 per cent
- Living Super – Growth with 11.7 per cent 
Superhero Super – Growth with 11.7 per cent 
- ESSSuper – Balanced Growth with 11.3 per cent 
- Australian Retirement Trust – Super Savings – Balanced with 11.2 per cent 
- NGS Super – Diversified (MySuper) with 11.2 per cent 

“It’s pleasing to see a range of funds in this year’s top performers with some smaller funds showing their ability to deliver strong returns to their members through uncertain times,” said Kirby Rappell, director of SuperRatings.

Much like over the last two years, SuperRatings said international technology and Australian financial shares drove the majority of returns, with options designed to track a benchmark outperforming more active investing strategies.

It noted that the top performing passive fund over 2024–25 was Raiz Super’s Moderately Aggressive option, with a return of 13.8 per cent, followed by Netwealth Super Accelerator’s BlackRock GSS Index Plus Growth Fund and Aware Super’s Future Saver – Balanced Indexed option at 13.7 per cent and 12.7 per cent, respectively.  

Regarding lifecycle options, SuperRatings reported that members aged 45 invested in these options saw a median return of 12.0 per cent for the year.

Members invested in sustainable-focused options saw returns similar to the broader balanced option outcomes, with the median sustainable balanced option returning 10.2 per cent. 

Vanguard Super’s Ethically Conscious Growth option delivered the strongest return for a sustainable option with a 12.6 per cent return for the year.   

Over a period of 10 years, SuperRatings noted Hostplus’ Balanced option remained the highest-performing balanced option, returning 8.3 per cent p.a., followed by Australian Retirement Trust’s Balanced option and AustralianSuper’s Balanced option, with 8.2 per cent and 7.9 per cent, respectively.