Market performance has led the balance of superannuation assets to decline by 3.2% despite seeing contributions of $150 billion.
According to quarterly data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) in the 12 months to 30 September, 2022, the total super balance declined from $3.43 trillion to $3.32 trillion.
This compared to a decline of 0.5% in the 12 months to 30 June.
The decline in MySuper assets was larger at 3.8%, declining from $922 billion to $887 billion, while those in self-managed super funds (SMSF) declined by 2.8% from $890 billion to $865 billion.
APRA said: “This was predominantly driven by rising global interest rates, pressures from disrupted supply chains and downward revision of global growth outlook”.
Contributions increased by 12% from $134 billion to $150 billion thanks to growth in employer and personal member contributions and strong labour force figures.
The increase in the Superannuation Guarantee from 10% to 10.5% in July saw employer contributions increase 10.4% to $111 billion.
Personal member contributions increased by 17% to $36.6 billion.
Pension payments totalled $40.5 billion over the year, an increase of 2.9%, which APRA said was in-line with long term trends.
The research house has offered a silver lining after super fund returns saw the end of a five-month streak last month.
A survey of almost 6,000 fund members has identified weakening retirement confidence, particularly among those under 55 years of age, signalling an opportunity for super funds to better engage with members on their retirement journey.
The funds have confirmed the signing of a successor fund transfer deed, moving closer to creating a new $29 billion entity.
A number of measures, including super on Paid Parental Leave, funding to recover unpaid super, and frameworks to encourage investment in the energy transition, have been welcomed by the superannuation industry.
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