Your super fund’s performance matters
How a super fund performs over the long-term can make a difference to your final balance, especially when combined with low fees.
Because we’re backed by Mercer, a global retirement and investment expert, our members get access to more expertise and greater opportunities to grow their superannuation. Our local know how and global expertise are put to work for you, with 2,000 investment experts in 42 markets, seeking out opportunities in Australia and around the world.
We’ve passed the annual performance test
Under the Australian Government’s Your Future, Your Super reforms, which came into effect on 1 July 2021, the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority conducts an annual performance test for MySuper products, which is intended to hold super funds to account for underperformance through greater transparency and increased consequences.
The 2023 annual performance test was extended to apply to both MySuper products and Trustee-Directed Products (TDPs).1
We are pleased to confirm that Mercer Super passed the annual performance test in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Strong past performance
At Mercer Super, we’re focused on delivering strong, long-term returns for our members.
Mercer Super’s default investment option Mercer SmartPath®, has delivered 7.4% p.a. over 10 years for one of our largest cohort of members,2 outperforming the comparative industry median of 6.9%.3
See how Mercer’s SmartPath returns compare to the median for all default MySuper funds.
Mercer SmartPath vs Default Options median
(after tax and investment fees) 31 December 2023
Mercer Super Trust’s analysis of Mercer SmartPath (Born 1974-1978), one of the largest cohorts, after investment fees and tax, compared to the median of all default funds reported in SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – Default Options as at 31 December 2023. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance.
How has my super performed?
The majority of our Mercer Super members are invested in the Mercer SmartPath investment option. You can see how each path has performed, over both the short and long term, in the table below (as at 31 December 2023).3
Mercer SmartPath® Ready-Made Investment Option
| Total returns (%) - after fees and taxes |
1 month | 3 months | Financial year to date | 1 year | 3 years (p.a.) | 5 years (p.a.) | 7 years (p.a.) | 10 years (p.a.) |
| Born prior to 1929 |
2.2 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 8.0 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 4.9 | n/a |
| Born 1929 to 1933 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 8.4 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 5.1 | n/a |
| Born 1934 to 1938 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 8.3 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 5.1 | n/a |
| Born 1939 to 1943 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 8.4 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Born 1944 to 1948 | 2.3 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 8.3 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Born 1949 to 1953 | 2.4 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 8.4 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Born 1954 to 1958 | 2.4 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 8.7 | 5.0 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Born 1959 to 1963 | 2.7 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 9.8 | 5.8 | 7.0 | 6.4 | 6.3 |
| Born 1964 to 1968 | 3.0 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 10.7 | 6.7 | 8.0 | 7.2 | 7.0 |
| Born 1969 to 1973 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 11.6 | 7.2 | 8.6 | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Born 1974 to 1978 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 11.6 | 7.3 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Born 1979 to 1983 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 11.6 | 7.2 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Born 1984 to 1988 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 11.6 | 7.2 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Born 1989 to 1993 | 3.2 | 5.1 | 4.8 | 11.7 | 7.1 | 8.6 | 7.6 | 7.2 |
| Born 1994 to 1998 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 11.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 7.6 | 7.2 |
| Born 1999 to 2003 | 3.2 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 11.3 | 6.9 | 8.4 | 7.4 | n/a |
| Born 2004 to 2008 | 3.4 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 11.5 | 6.7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Born 2009 to 2013 | 3.5 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 11.6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Born 2014 to 2018 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 4.6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Total Returns are based on exit prices and allow for deduction of tax and investment fees including indirect costs (but not administration or other fees). Returns greater than one year are shown on an annualised basis.
You can find performance information for all our other investment options on our Mercer Super Trust’s performance reports page.
Of course, it’s important to note that past performance is not an indicator of future performance. What strong long-term investment returns may reflect, however, is a superannuation fund’s experience and commitment to great financial outcomes for its members.
Want more detail on your fund’s performance?
Find out more about how your super is performing on our Mercer Super Trust’s performance reports page where you can:
- review our Monthly Mercer Super Trust performance reports
- review our Quarterly Mercer Super Trust performance reports
- access our daily Unit Price calculator
- read more about what to consider when comparing superannuation funds’ performance.
Compare us with other super funds
Compare our investment returns, fees, insurance offer and member services with over 200 other funds through AppleCheck4 – a free super comparison tool managed by leading research firm Chant West.
Compare Mercer Super
Backed by 75 years of global investment expertise, a history of strong returns, and some of the most competitive fees in Australia, Mercer Super is supporting more than 850,000 members achieve a brighter future.
Understanding fees and costs
All superannuation funds can charge a range of fees and costs for managing super funds and investments.
Investments performance reports
Access a range of reports and resources which provide detail on how the investment options in our products have performed over the short and long term.
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1. Generally, trustee-directed products are accumulation choice products with strategic asset allocations to more than one asset class and where the superannuation trustee or its related entity is responsible for designing or implementing the product’s investment strategy. Certain products are excluded, including where the superannuation interests are defined-benefit interests or where the superannuation interest supports a superannuation income stream that is in the retirement phase.
2, 3 Mercer Super Trust’s analysis of Mercer SmartPath (Born 1974-1978), one of the largest cohorts, after investment fees and tax, compared to the median of all default funds reported in SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – Default Options as at 31 December 2023. Based on Mercer SmartPath membership data as at 31 December 2023 and for members invested for the full period. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance.
3.- Returns are for the Mercer SmartPath investment option in the Mercer Super Trust Corporate Super Division as at 31 December 2023.
- Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
- Differences between returns for each path can reflect different underlying investment strategies, or where strategies are the same, the timing of cash flows in the establishment of Mercer SmartPath.
- n/a indicates that the investment option was not operating for the full period.
- More information on the asset allocation and investment risks of each Mercer SmartPath cohort can be found in the relevant PDS available at Product Disclosure Statement | Mercer Super.
4 By clicking the ‘Compare us’ button you will be linked to the Chant West website. Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence #235906, the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust (‘Mercer Super’) ABN 19 905 422 981 takes no responsibility for the content of the website. Chant West AppleCheck is provided solely by Zenith CW Pty Ltd (Chant West) ABN 20 639 121 403. When using AppleCheck through this webpage, the default super fund division you will be comparing against is Mercer SmartSuper. You are able to compare against more than 200 super funds, including Mercer Super’s other fund divisions which are Mercer Business Super, Mercer Portfolio Service, Mercer SmartSuper Plan – Employer Default, and Mercer SmartSuper Plan – Individual Section. If you are a Mercer Super member and don’t know the name of your fund division, you can find out the name by logging on to Member Online. If you are a member of a tailored employer plan with Mercer Super then the fees and performance numbers on AppleCheck might not reflect the actual fees and performance numbers of your tailored plan, as you might already benefit from discounts your employer has negotiated with us. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Where consent has been given, Chant West may provide Mercer Super with a copy of the personal information that you enter to access AppleCheck. Mercer Super may use this information in accordance with our Privacy Policy to contact you and provide further details about the products and services we offer.
Issued by Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence #235906, the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 (‘Mercer Super’). Any advice is of a general nature only, and does not take into account the personal needs and circumstances of any particular individual. Prior to acting on any information, you need to take into account your own financial circumstances. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement, Product Guide, Insurance Guide, Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a decision about the product, or seek professional advice from a licensed, or appropriately authorised financial adviser if you are unsure of what action to take. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Please also read and note the Care and Living with Mercer Terms of Use when accessing, browsing or using the services made available to you. 'MERCER' is a registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.