Mercer SmartPath®

Great investors fine-tune their portfolio over time. Mercer SmartPath is designed to do this for you automatically, so you can invest like the experts, without lifting a finger.

Why Mercer SmartPath?

Glide into retirement and beyond with Mercer SmartPath 

Our global team of investment experts have designed an automated “glidepath” to adjust your Mercer SmartPath portfolio based on your year of birth. It means your super is invested according to your age – all without you doing a thing.

Mercer SmartPath members are grouped into 5-year paths based on year of birth (1964-68, for example) and the investment strategy is set along the relevant glidepath. 

When you’re younger, you’ll have a higher allocation of growth assets (up to 100%). This will gradually move toward a more defensive position in the years approaching retirement, with your exposure to growth assets decreasing to approximately 60% by age 66-70. Your allocation to growth assets will remain at this level throughout retirement to help ensure your savings last as long as you do. This strategy is reviewed regularly by our investment experts to ensure it remains appropriate for our members.

Find your path to retirement

If you’re thinking about choosing Mercer SmartPath as your investment option, you should:

1. Check which path you would be invested in.
2. Determine the relevant time horizon, risk profile and asset allocation^{^} of the relevant path.
3. Decide whether this path aligns with your risk attitude and overall financial goals.

Mercer SmartPath has been designed to ensure the asset mix is appropriate for you based on your age. It does not take into consideration your personal needs and circumstances.

The asset allocations for each path are described in your plan’s investment booklet.

Learn more about asset classes and your super.

_{^{^}Investment option asset allocations, objectives, standard risk measures and minimum suggested timeframes change from time to time.}

Mercer SmartPath is designed to manage some key investment risks
 

Sequencing risk

A market downturn at the wrong time – just before or after retirement for example – can have a significant impact on your retirement income. This is called “sequencing risk” and is a particular concern for members approaching retirement. Mercer SmartPath seeks to shield older members from big swings in share markets by investing a greater portion of their balance in defensive assets such as cash and fixed interest.
 

Longevity risk

You might think it would be sensible to move all your money into defensive assets, but Australians are generally living longer than ever before. Moving all your assets into lower-yielding cash-type assets, creates “longevity risk” – the risk of outliving your superannuation savings. That’s why Mercer SmartPath retains approximately 60% growth assets, even post-retirement. 

Learn more about investment risk and your super.

You can also speak with our helpline advice team who can provide you with financial advice regarding your super account and the investment options we offer. Call us on 1800 682 525, Monday to Friday 8am-7pm (AEST/ AEDT). 

_{1 Based on Mercer SmartPath membership data as at 30 September 2024 and for members invested for the full period. 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 30 September 2024. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.}

_{2 Mercer Super member numbers reported to APRA for September 2024 was 1,011,893.}

_{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.}

_{Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.} 

_{Disclaimer: Provided 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'). This information is general advice and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement available at mercersuper.com.au. The product Target Market Determination can be found at mercersuper.com.au/tmd.}

_{The value of an investment in the Mercer Super Trust may rise and fall from time to time. The investment performance, earnings or return of capital invested are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.}

_{'MERCER’ is an Australian registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.}