How often should I check my super?

14 March 2023

You may not be looking to access your super now, but it’s worth checking to ensure everything’s in good order.

Whether retirement is a long way down the track or just around the corner, it’s worth checking your super periodically. However, it’s also important to remember that there can be short-term ups and downs with your super balance due to current economic conditions. Super is a long-term investment, so keeping a focus on long-term performance can allay any short-term fluctuations your super may experience.

Why check your super

For starters, you want to ensure your super is being paid into your account and that you’re receiving the correct amount. So, it’s worth checking your super for that reason alone. Checking your super is even easier with the AustralianSuper app.

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Rising super guarantee

The current super guarantee is 10.5% until 30 June 2023.

As of 1 July 2023, the super guarantee increases to 11%. When you receive your pay from July, it’s worth checking that the increased super amount is paid into your account. The super guarantee will continue to rise by 0.5% each year until it hits 12% on 1 July 2025.

Be sure to check your super to make sure you’re receiving these increases.

Looking at long-term performance

While it’s good to engage and check on your super periodically, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding your balance.

From month to month, the returns of an investment strategy can vary depending on economic and market conditions. Our investment team actively invests in strategies that include long-term assets like listed shares, private equity, unlisted property and unlisted infrastructure. While these investments can experience periods of lower returns, the portfolio is invested with the aim to enhance performance for members over the long term.

When you’re checking your super balance, it’s important to remember to focus on long-term performance and avoid making decisions based on short-term market movements. Over the long term, AustralianSuper’s flagship Balanced investment option has delivered an average return of 8.76% each year over the last 10 years and 8.02% over the last 20 years.¹

Hit your retirement goals

Another reason to check your super is to determine how your retirement savings goals are tracking. You may require a monthly retirement income if you want to pay for things, like holidays, entertainment or family visits. To reach these goals, you may consider to boost your super with steps like salary sacrificing² or other voluntary super contributions.

Managing market volatility

Markets have had downturns in the past, such as during the GFC or COVID-19 downturn. However, historically investment returns have recovered leading to increasing super balances over the long term.

AustralianSuper’s focus remains on positioning our investment portfolios to help deliver the best outcomes for members over the long term. Our long-term investment strategy is designed to be resilient in the face of volatile markets. The Balanced option is constructed to help cushion the impact of downturns, whilst ensuring members benefit from growth as markets recover.

It’s also worth noting that members who are in or close to retirement are likely to still be invested for some time, depending on their individual goals and circumstances. Staying focussed on the long term provides a more realistic perspective of superannuation investment returns.

By staying invested in a diversified portfolio, your super may have more opportunity to grow over time. If a member had invested in AustralianSuper’s Balanced option 20 years ago without making any additional contributions since, they would have more than quadrupled their retirement savings³:

Check your super with the AustralianSuper app

Accessing your super on the go is easy with the AustralianSuper app. You can manage your super, anywhere, anytime. And it's the easiest way to get in touch with us.

Download the app