![\"Australian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/36899fc0-3490-11f1-b95f-fca3ff82a220.png\")
Market volatility is flowing through to Aussie’s super balances, but members are being warned against ‘knee-jerk’ moves. (Source: Getty) <\/p>\n Market volatility is flowing through to Aussie’s super balances, but members are being warned against ‘knee-jerk’ moves. (Source: Getty) <\/p>\n
Superannuation funds<\/a> have suffered their worst monthly losses in more than three years as the Iran war triggers volatility in financial markets<\/a>. It\u2019s sparked a surge in Aussies switching their investments to cash, but experts are warning it can be a dangerous move<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fresh data from SuperRatings estimates the median balanced option dropped by 3.2 per cent in March, wiping out gains<\/a> accumulated since September 2025. The median growth option is estimated to have fallen by 4.1 per cent, while the capital stable option also recorded an estimated loss of 1.8 per cent over the period.<\/p>\n Separate data from Chant West<\/a> also found that a broad sample of investment options posted an average loss of 3.2 per cent in March, which marked the worst return since September 2022.<\/p>\n RELATED<\/p>\n SuperRatings director Kirby Rappell said the pathway for funds to outperform the long-term average this financial year was narrowing, as returns confront elevated levels of uncertainty<\/a> across global and domestic markets.<\/p>\n \u201cMarkets are responding quickly to a rapidly evolving situation. This means we are likely in a period of greater volatility,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile this will flow through to balances, it should be remembered that [a] member\u2019s super is usually invested across a range of asset classes (not just shares) and that over the long term, super returns remain sound.\u201d<\/p>\n For the financial year to date, the return for the average balanced option has eased to 2.8 per cent. Annually, the return is 7.8 per cent.<\/p>\n Over five years, the median return is 6.6 per cent, and over 10 years it is 7.4 per cent.<\/p>\n Ongoing volatility has prompted some Aussies to switch their investment strategies<\/a> to more defensive options.<\/p>\n