What can impact your super balance

It’s normal to want to know what’s happening with your super, particularly during periods of market volatility. After all, it’s your retirement savings.

Your super balance is invested in a range of assets that are traded in investment markets. The types of assets in our pre-mixed options, like the Growth (MySuper) option*, include shares, property, infrastructure, fixed interest and cash. 
 
Your super balance can go up, but it can also go down sometimes as investment markets tend to move in response to economic cycles. Markets can weaken as growth slows or when they are impacted by negative news. Recent examples include higher interest rates, inflation fears and geopolitical events, like the Middle East conflict.  
 
Although movements in your balance might feel unsettling, short-term ups and downs are considered a normal part of investing. It’s important that our members understand that with super, it’s the long term that matters and our pre-mixed investment options have been built to meet their investment objectives over the long term.  
 
The importance of your investment timeframe  
Your investment timeframe is important and with super, it can be 20 to 30 years or more. So, there is time for your balance to recover from short-term volatility.  
 
Frequent switching when markets weaken can leave you with lower retirement savings. When markets fall, history suggests there is no signal to indicate when they have reached their lows and that markets tend to recover over time. When markets do recover, it can happen quickly, so if you’ve switched to a more conservative investment option, you can miss out on the recovery.  
 
You can find further resources to help you understand more about market volatility here or if you need help choosing an investment option that’s right for you, you can contact our Advice Services team on 1300 361 784. 

 
*The Growth (MySuper) investment option return is based on the crediting rate, which is the return minus investment fees, taxes, and until 31 January 2020, the percentage-based administration fee. Excludes fees and costs that are deducted directly from members’ accounts. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. 
 
This information is about Cbus Super. It doesn’t account for your specific needs. Please consider your financial position, objectives and requirements before making financial decisions. Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination to decide if Cbus Super is right for you. Call 1300 361 784 or visit cbussuper.com.au 
 
United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 as Trustee for the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund ABN 75 493 363 262 (Cbus and/or Cbus Super).