Superannuation funds had their best-performing year in 2013, with the median superannuation balance option increasing by 15.5 per cent for the calendar year, SuperRatings' estimates have shown.
These are the best results since SuperRatings began tracking this index in 2000.
Despite a poor start, December's late rally saw super funds record an estimated 0.9 per cent gain for the month.
The strong recovery in the second half of December was mainly driven by the performance of listed equity markets.
Both Australian and international equity markets recovered strongly to finish positive for the month.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed higher in five out of the last seven trading days to end the year, and finished December up 0.6 per cent.
The fall in the Australian dollar over the month also helped international equity returns for those funds that remain in an unhedged position.
The research house has offered a silver lining after super fund returns saw the end of a five-month streak last month.
A survey of almost 6,000 fund members has identified weakening retirement confidence, particularly among those under 55 years of age, signalling an opportunity for super funds to better engage with members on their retirement journey.
The funds have confirmed the signing of a successor fund transfer deed, moving closer to creating a new $29 billion entity.
A number of measures, including super on Paid Parental Leave, funding to recover unpaid super, and frameworks to encourage investment in the energy transition, have been welcomed by the superannuation industry.
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