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Balanced Index

A diversified portfolio of listed assets with around 75% growth assets (Australian and international shares).

Summary

10-yr returns as at 31 March 2025

 

6.46% p.a.

Returns over the last 10 years1

5+ years

Suggested timeframe

0.08% p.a.

Fees2 + admin fees and costs

Who it suits

Suitable if you're an investor who:

  • wants a diversified portfolio with around 75% growth assets (Australian and international shares)
  • wants to grow your super over the long term and wants an option that's lower cost than an actively managed option
  • is prepared to accept the option can have negative returns over the shorter term and has a higher allocation to growth assets than the Balanced option. It invests in listed asset classes that follow market indices and so will generally have lower fees than some of the actively managed diversified options
  • is prepared to accept the option may not be suitable if you have a low risk tolerance, are seeking to preserve your super, or are likely to need access to your super in the next few years.

Risk3

 
  • Very low
  • Low
  • Low to medium
  • Medium
  • Medium to high
  • High
  • Very high

Expected number of years of negative annual returns in any 20 years: 4 to less than 6. The risk is based on the standard risk measure (SRM).

Investment objective3

Accumulation and TTR Income accounts: CPI + 3.0% p.a.
Retirement Income accounts: CPI + 3.5% p.a.

Option size

Super assets: $1.8 billion
Pension assets: $985.1 million

Balanced Index performance

As at 31 March 20251

Our Balanced Index option for Accumulation accounts produced returns of -1.31% in the March quarter and 5.57% for the year to 31 March 2025. The 10-year return of 6.46% p.a. is above the option’s return objective of CPI+3.0% p.a.

After a positive start to 2025, world share market sentiment deteriorated as the quarter progressed in response to the trade war triggered by President Trump’s decisions on tariffs. While emerging market shares produced positive returns, Australian and developed market returns were negative over the quarter, as significant falls in US and Japanese share prices more than offset gains in UK and Europe. After a sharp sell-off in the final months of 2024, both Australian and global fixed income returns were positive over the March quarter.

Our real estate, private equity, and infrastructure portfolios outperformed public markets over the March quarter and for this reason, the Balanced Index option underperformed the Balanced option given it has only exposure to listed markets.

Accumulation accounts Retirement Income accounts4
10 years (p.a.) 6.46% 7.16%
7 years (p.a.) 7.32% 7.98%
5 years (p.a.) 9.44% 10.13%
3 years (p.a.) 6.22% 6.63%
1 year 5.57% 5.92%
3 months -1.31% -1.44%

Past performance isn't a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns shown are after investment fees and costs, transaction costs and investment taxes (where relevant) but before all other fees and costs.
Returns shown here for our Accumulation account are also the returns that apply for Transition to Retirement income accounts. Tax generally doesn't apply to investment earnings in Retirement Income accounts.

Balanced Index asset allocation

 

 Strategic asset allocation5
Australian shares
32.5%
International shares
42.5%
Fixed income
25.0%
Unlisted Assets and Alternatives
0.0%
Cash
0.0%
Total 100%

Benchmark: The market indices followed for each asset class are the same market indices we show for the Australian Shares Index, International Shares Unhedged Index, Bonds Index, and Cash options, although the proportions may differ. Currency is partially hedged for this option.

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  1. Past performance isn't a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns shown are after investment fees and costs, transaction costs and investment taxes (where relevant) but before all other fees and costs. Returns shown in the Summary table above are for Accumulation accounts. To show the performance of the Accumulation and Retirement Income accounts, we've used Sunsuper for life Balanced Index option returns up to 28 February 2022, then Super Savings Balanced Index option returns after that date.
  2. Fees refers to estimated investment fees and costs and transaction costs from 1 July 2025.
  3. When reading the objectives and/or risks please also read the information in the PDS that applies to you.
  4. Tax generally doesn't apply to investment earnings in Retirement Income accounts.
  5. From 1 July 2025. For more information on these asset classes, strategic asset allocations, and allowable ranges, read the PDS that applies to you.