The median balance option reported a 8.8 per cent return in 2025, SuperRatings found. (Source: AAP/Getty)
New research has revealed which superannuation funds have been the best performing over the last 10 years, with Hostplus, Australian Retirement Trust and AustralianSuper, making the list. Super funds delivered another strong year of returns in 2025, with the top balanced options notching double-digit gains over the year.
The median balanced option returned 8.8 per cent to members for the full 2025 calendar year, research by SuperRatings found. This was below last year’s 11.1 per cent return, but still above the long-term average of 6.5 per cent since 2000.
Raiz Super’s Moderately Aggressive Option was the top performer for the year for balanced options, returning 12.4 per cent. This was followed by legalsuper’s MySuper Balanced option and NGS Super diversified MySuper option, with returns of 11.3 and 11.2 per cent respectively.
RELATED
SuperRatings executive director Kirby Rappell said funds continued to deliver above expected returns, but there were doubts over how long such growth could last.
“A negative return in November meant the median Balanced option missed reaching double digits for 2025 and the outlook for 2026 is increasingly unclear,” he said.
“We encourage all members to focus on their long-term outcomes and ensure they are comfortable with their superannuation settings so they can tune out any noise in the coming months.”
Do you have a story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com
Over the longer term, an investment of $100,000 in the average balanced option 16 years ago would now be worth just shy of $305,000. (Source: Getty)
Looking over the long-term, Hostplus’ Balanced option remains the top performer with an average return of 8.7 per cent per annum over 10 years.
It’s closely followed by Australian Retirement Trust Super Savings Balanced with an average return of 8.5 per cent per annum.
AustralianSuper’s Balanced option came fourth place with an average 10-year return of 8.2 per cent per annum.
SuperRatings found that an investment of $100,000 in the median balanced option 16 years ago would now be worth $304,911 in retirement savings.
If invested in a median growth option, it would be worth $337,878, while those who invested in cash would have $146,378.
Here were the top balanced options over the last 12 months, according to SuperRatings.
Balanced funds are defined as those with 60 to 76 per cent invested in growth assets.
Raiz Super – Moderately Aggressive 12.4 per cent
legalsuper – MySuper Balanced 11.3 per cent
NGS Super – Diversified MySuper 11.2 per cent
Hostplus – Balanced 10.5 per cent
GESB Super – My GESB Super Plan 10.4 per cent
Hostplus – Indexed Balanced 10.4 per cent
Equip Super MyFuture – Balanced Growth 10.2 per cent
ESSSuper – Balanced Growth 10.1 per cent
Vanguard Super SmartSave – Growth 9.9 per cent
Colonial First State First Choice Personal – CFS Enhanced Index Balanced 9.7 per cent
Here were the top balanced options over the last 10 years, with the per annum return.
Hostplus – Balanced 8.7 per cent
Australian Retirement Trust – Super Savings – Balanced 8.5 per cent
Hostplus – Indexed Balanced 8.3 per cent
AustralianSuper – Balanced 8.2 per cent
UniSuper – Balanced 8.1 per cent
Vision Super – Balanced Growth 8.1 per cent
HESTA – Balanced Growth 8.0 per cent
Cbus – Growth (MySuper) 8.0 per cent
Aware Super Future Saver – Balanced 8.0 per cent
Equip Super MyFuture – Balanced Growth 7.9 per cent
SuperRatings has encouraged Aussies to consider their risk tolerance and do a health check on their fund across performance, fees and insurance.
If you are considering a change, seek professional advice through your fund or a trusted adviser.
Get the latest Yahoo Finance news – follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.