Which super funds earned a retirement tick of approval?

in briefAn industry assessment handed eight ticks of approval to 45 assessed super funds.Those eight were found to offer their members the best support through their retirement.

Only eight of 45 assessed superannuation funds have received an industry tick of approval for the level of support they provide members throughout retirement.

The 2026 Epic Retirement Tick has been awarded to retirement funds that met at least 14 of an expanded 20 support criteria, up from 18 last year.

The analysis is backed by Chant West, one of Australia’s most prominent commercial superannuation research and ratings agencies.

The tick measures how well a fund’s investments perform, how competitive its fees are, how innovative its product offerings are, and how comprehensive its member services and advice are.

“Australians have spent decades building their super,” said Epic Retirement Institute founder Bec Wilson.

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“As they reach retirement, they deserve to understand what their fund can actually do to support them through the years ahead.”

The push for better fund support comes as many Australians approach retirement facing significant savings shortfalls.

According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, a single homeowner requires $630,000 and a couple $730,000 in super for a “comfortable” retirement.

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However, Australian Taxation Office data reveal that the median super balance for those aged 60 to 64 is just over $200,000 — meaning retirees rely heavily on fund advice, tax strategies, and government pension integration to stretch their savings.

Wilson noted that the tick is not a product ranking or a directive to switch membership.

“The Tick is not a rating, ranking or recommendation of a super fund or financial product. There’s no first place, second place or ‘best fund’,” she said.

Instead, it serves as a tool to help Australians “become a more informed super fund member and customer”.

Which super funds received the Epic Retirement Tick?

Of 45 assessed regulated, defined-contribution funds, only eight met the benchmark for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Those were:

AMP SuperART-Super SavingsAware SuperBrighter SuperColonial First State – FirstChoiceHostplusUniSuperVision Super

These funds performed well in several distinct categories, like tailored pension investment options, digital security, and advice access.

AMP, ART, Aware, Hostplus, and Vision Super were highlighted for allowing pension members to request ad-hoc payments and receive funds on the same day or via immediate OSKO transfers.

Funds like ART, AMP, and UniSuper also stood out for offering dedicated lifetime income options like annuities to provide members with guaranteed retirement income.

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However, industry analysts note that the overall pass rate remains remarkably low.

Writing in Investment Magazine, Chant West general manager Ian Fryer highlighted that, to earn the badge, funds could no longer rely solely on offering specialised retirement products but also had to demonstrate meaningful member engagement.

For example, funds offering lifetime income options were assessed on whether their members were actually taking up those products.

What has changed this year?

Now in its second year, the Epic Retirement Tick has been awarded to three new funds in addition to last year’s six — TelstraSuper having merged with Aware. AMP, Colonial, and Vision are all new additions to the benchmark.

The assessment framework has also been updated to target industry difficulties and raise consumer standards. The pass threshold was raised from 12 out of 18 to 14 out of 20, with a new requirement that funds have no outstanding regulatory enforcement actions.

The expanded 2026 criteria introduced tougher hurdles around digital service delivery, complaints management, and cybersecurity protections.

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Investment performance criteria were refined to focus on a seven-year evaluation window, rather than 10 years, to allow a stronger emphasis on non-investment support features.

“Some have really stepped up to the plate,” Wilson said. “Others are still working towards the standard, and there remains a meaningful gap between what some funds currently provide and what the criteria ask of them.”

The Epic Retirement Tick is a proprietary badge issued by a private research firm, not a binding compliance benchmark.

It is separate to statutory government assessment through the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended as financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional to make the decisions that are right for you.

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