Mercer Super delivers fourth consecutive year of double-digit returns for the majority of SmartPath members1
MELBOURNE, 3 July, 2026 - Mercer Super, a part of Mercer, a business of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), has today announced that Mercer SmartPath, the fund’s default investment option, has delivered the fourth consecutive year of double-digit returns.
Mercer SmartPath has returned 10.0% to 10.6%2 for the 2025/26 financial year across age-based cohorts for members aged between 18 and 52.
Despite market volatility, geopolitical headwinds and global economic uncertainty, the fund is delivering for members and showcasing the importance of well-diversified portfolios.
Graeme Miller, Mercer Super’s Chief Investment Officer, said the performance of the fund is anchored in its long-term strategy of building portfolio resilience with investments across many countries, industries and asset classes.
“Our investment strategy, underpinned by Mercer’s global investment perspective and insights, has steered a steady course for our one million members, during a period of significant economic and geopolitical volatility. We continue to have confidence in our investment strategy and long-term position.
“During a time when we’re seeing dampened consumer sentiment with cost-of-living pressures and inflation, our members can take confidence in the steady hand we have consistently applied to market changes.
“We continue to strengthen our portfolio resilience through increased liquidity management. Looking ahead, we are seeking to access the most reliable sources of returns, economic growth and corporate profits along with further diversification opportunities, with a particular focus on global unlisted property and private equity,” said Mr Miller.
Mercer SmartPath is a lifecycle default product, which gradually reduces risk exposure as members age. This seeks to shield superannuation savings from market volatility for those closer to retirement. Members’ returns will therefore depend on the Mercer SmartPath option they are invested in.
Mercer Super has reported that over the 10-year period to 30 June 2026 returns for default members aged between 18 and 52 were between 8.8% p.a. and 9.1% p.a. 2
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of an investment in Mercer Super may rise and fall from time to time. The investment performance, earnings or return of capital invested are not guaranteed.
1 Mercer Super Trust’s analysis of Mercer SmartPath investment performance in the Corporate Superannuation Division (after investment fees and taxes) for the 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. Mercer SmartPath default investment options achieved returns of between 10.0% and 12.6% for members aged between 18 and 52 years old across the 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. For members aged 52 or over, Mercer SmartPath default investment options achieved returns between 6.8% and 12.4% across the 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. Based on membership data as at 31 March 2026 for the Corporate Superannuation Division of Mercer Super for members invested in Mercer SmartPath for the entire period. Approximately 80% of Mercer SmartPath members within the Corporate Superannuation Division benefited from double-digit returns across the four financial years.
2 Mercer Super Trust’s analysis of the Mercer SmartPath investment performance (after investment fees and taxes) for the 2025/26 financial year. Mercer SmartPath default investment options achieved returns of between 10.0% and 10.6% for members aged between 18 and 52 years old. The ten-year returns were between 8.8% and 9.1% p.a. For members aged 52 or over, Mercer SmartPath default investment options achieved returns between 6.8% and 10.1%. The ten-year returns were between 5.8% and 9.0% p.a.
Issued by Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (MSAL) ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence 235906, the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 (‘Mercer Super’). The trustee has appointed Mercer Investments (Australia) Limited (MIAL) ABN 66 008 612 397 AFSL 244385 as an implemented consultant to provide investment strategy advice, portfolio management and implementation services including investment manager selection and monitoring. MIAL is also the responsible entity of a number of investment funds (the Mercer Funds). Mercer Super Trust invests in the Mercer Funds. Neither MSAL, MIAL or any of the underlying fund investment managers guarantee the investment performance, earnings or return of capital invested in any of the Mercer Super Trust investment options.
Before making any decisions about Mercer Super, you should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determinations (TMD) to consider whether the product is right for you available at www.mercersuper.com.au.
‘MERCER’ and ‘Mercer SmartPath®’ are Australian registered trademarks of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.