Crediting rates

To calculate total returns over multiple continuous days (days, months or years) using daily rates use the following compounding formula:

Daily Crediting Rate Total Return (Compounding) Formula

(1 + r₁) × (1 + r₂) × … × (1 + rₙ) – 1 = Total return

Where

• r = daily rate
• n = number of days in your selected time period

Important note on format

Daily rates downloaded from the AustralianSuper website are shown as percentages. To use them in a formula, you’ll need to convert them to decimal format by dividing each rate by 100.

Using Microsoft Excel

You can use Excel’s FVSCHEDULE function to calculate total return.

If your data is in decimal format: =FVSCHEDULE(1,CELL RANGE)-1

If your data is in percent format: =FVSCHEDULE(1,CELL RANGE/100)-1

Where:

• CELL RANGE = the range of daily rates for your selected time period
• The result will be in decimal format

Example: Balanced option return for the financial year ending 30 June 2025

To calculate the 1-year return for the Balanced option ending 30 June 2025:

1. Download the daily rates file
2. Note the range for the Balanced option from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 is C5846:C6210
   • C5846 = Balanced option rate on 01/07/2024
   • C6210 = Balanced option rate on 30/06/2025
3. Use the formula: =FVSCHEDULE(1,C5846:C6210/100)-1

Result: = 0.0952 or 9.52%

As cumulative daily rates are based on the cumulative return from 30 June 2008, to calculate the return between two dates use the following formula:

Cumulative Daily Crediting Rate Total Return Formula

(1 + Cumulative return at end date / 100) ÷ (1 + Cumulative return at start date / 100) – 1

Example: Balanced option return for the financial year ending 30 June 2025

To calculate the 1-year return for the Balanced option ending 30 June 2025:

• Start date cumulative rate (30 June 2024): 204.2017
• End date cumulative rate (30 June 2025): 233.1646

Using the Cumulative Daily Crediting Rate Total Return Formula:
(1 + 233.1646/ 100) ÷ (1 + 204.2017/ 100) - 1
= 0.0952 or 9.52%

Returns greater than one year are often annualised. This helps you analyse and compare performance across different time periods more easily. To calculate the per annum return use the following formula: 

Per Annum Return Formula

Annualised return = (1 + total return)^(365 ÷ number of days) – 1

Example: Balanced option return over 5 years

The total return for the Balanced option over the five years ending 30 June 2025 was 50.59%.

To annualise this return:

Using the Per Annum Return Formula:

(1 + 0.5059)^(365 ÷ 1826) – 1 = 0.0853 or 8.53%

Using Microsoft Excel

You can also calculate annualised returns using Excel and daily rates data.

Formula: =FVSCHEDULE(1,C4385:C6210/100)^(365/(A6210-A4384))-1

Where:

• C4385 = Balanced option rate on 1 July 2020
• C6210 = Balanced option rate on 30 June 2025
• A4384 and A6210 = corresponding date values for 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 to calculate the number of days

= 0.0853 or 8.53%

Super and TTR Income accounts have different investment returns compared to Choice Income accounts, mainly due to different tax treatment.

Make sure you select the data for the account type that you wish to analyse.

If you’re unsure which option applies to your account, you can check your account details in your online account or mobile app.

Using the correct formula is essential for accurate return calculations.

Match the formula to the type of data that you are using, by matching the daily rates or cumulative daily rates data to the corresponding formula.

Make sure your formula includes the right order of operations and the correct placement of numbers.

If your result doesn’t match the periodic returns shown by AustralianSuper, it’s worth checking your formula and trying again.

Choosing the correct time period is essential when analysing investment returns.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

Returns vary depending on the time period you select. If you're comparing multiple investment options, make sure you're using the same time period for each.

You also have to make sure you are using the correct dates for the type of crediting rate and corresponding formula you use.

If you are using daily crediting rates, use the daily crediting rate total return formula using the daily rate for each day in the period. For example, if you're analysing the six-month period ending 31 December, use the daily rates from 1 July to 31 December (inclusive).

If you are using cumulative daily crediting rates, use the cumulative daily crediting rate total return formula using the cumulative daily rate at the start and end of your chosen period. For example, for a six-month comparison, use the cumulative daily rates for 30 June and 31 December.