Investing your super
Choose the investment option that’s right for you
Mercer Super offers more than 20 investment options, each with its own strategy and objective. These include 'Ready-made' diversified and 'Select-your-own' investment options.
You will have access to the full range of investment options available in Mercer Super from Wednesday 18 June 2025, following the Limited Service Period. You can get all the details about these options in your plan’s Investments Booklet:
- for pension members - available now at the Mercer Super website
- for all other members - when it becomes available in May 2025.
Performance reports for all investment options are published monthly and quarterly.
How will my super be invested immediately after the transfer?
That depends on your membership category:
Spouse member accounts and pension accounts
Spouse member account balances and pension account balances will be automatically invested in Mercer High Growth, the investment option considered the closest match to the GS&JBW Fund investment strategy, after considering the respective investment objectives, risk profiles and asset allocations.
There is nothing you need to do prior to the transfer. You will be able to switch your Mercer Super investment options, if you want, at any time from Wednesday 18 June 2025.
Retained member accounts and accumulation accounts
Retained member account balances, and accumulation account balances – including accumulation (non-pension) accounts held by pension members – will be automatically invested in Mercer Super’s default life stage option, Mercer SmartPath®, unless you provided consent to invest your account balance in Mercer High Growth before 5pm Friday 16 May.
Depending on your age, this may result in a lower exposure to growth assets and increased allocation to defensive assets.
The Mercer High Growth option is considered to be the closest match to the GS&JBW Fund investment strategy, after considering the respective investment objectives, risk profiles and asset allocations.
Growth and defensive assets
Most asset classes can be characterised very broadly as growth assets or defensive assets. Investing in growth assets may increase long-term earning potential but also increases the risk of short-term losses. Defensive assets are less volatile over the short-term, but long-term growth is generally lower when compared to growth assets.
Mercer SmartPath®
Mercer SmartPath is our default MySuper investment option. This is a lifecycle option that automatically adjusts your level of investment risk as you approach and move through retirement.
Our investment experts manage your Mercer SmartPath portfolio to help ensure your asset mix is appropriate to your age. The focus is on growth assets in your younger years, with a gradual shift to more defensive assets as you near and enter retirement.
Mercer High Growth
Mercer High Growth is a ‘Ready-made’ diversified option that invests across most asset classes, but mainly in growth assets. It is designed for members who want exposure to mainly growth assets and can tolerate a high level of risk over 10-years.
Comparing Growth versus Defensive benchmark asset allocations1
| Investment option | Growth assets (%) | Defensive assets (%) | Standard risk measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS&JBW Fund strategy2 | 85 | 15 | 6 – high |
| Mercer High Growth | 86 | 14 | 6 – high |
Mercer SmartPath options
| Investment option | Growth assets (%) | Defensive assets (%) | Standard risk measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer SmartPath Born prior to 19543 | 60 | 40 | 5 – medium to high |
| Mercer SmartPath Born 1954 to 1958 | 60 | 40 | 5 – medium to high |
| Mercer SmartPath Born 1959-1963 | 67 | 33 | 5 – medium to high |
| Mercer SmartPath Born 1964-1968 | 76 | 24 | 5 – medium to high |
| Mercer SmartPath Born 1969 to 1973 | 86 | 14 | 6 – high |
| Mercer SmartPath Born after 19734 | 88 | 12 | 6 – high |
1 Mercer Super allocations are correct as of 31 March 2025.
2 GS&JBW allocations are correct as of 1 July 2024
3 The reference ‘Born prior to 1954’ includes the following paths: Born prior to 1929, Born 1929 to 1933, Born 1934 to 1938, Born 1939 to 1943, Born 1944 to 1948 and Born 1949 to 1953.
4 The reference ‘Born after 1973’ includes the following paths: Born 1969 to 1973, Born 1974 to 1978, Born 1979 to 1983, Born 1984 to 1988, Born 1989 to 1993, Born 1994 to 1998, Born 1999 to 2003, Born 2004 to 2008, Born 2009 to 2013 and Born 2014 to 2018.
Investment basics
To make truly informed decisions it can be helpful to familiarise yourself with some basic investment concepts and how they apply to your super.
Investment risk
All investments come with some risk and can offer potential rewards, in the form of investment returns. The challenge is finding the right balance.
Learn more about investment risk and your super
Market volatility
Ups and downs are a normal part of investing, and the same is true of super. What matters is how your super grows over the long-term.
Learn more about market volatility and your super
Asset classes
Mercer Super invests in a range of assets like shares, infrastructure, fixed interest, and cash. These are called asset classes, and they form the foundation of your investment options.
Learn more about asset classes and your super
Diversification
One way investors (and super funds) manage risk is by investing in a wide range of different asset classes across different regions, industries and companies.
Learn more about diversification and your super
Get your Transfer Guide
Your Transfer Guide provides details about your new account with Mercer Super, including fees and charges and available investment options.
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’). Any advice provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice we recommend you obtain your own financial advice and consider the Product Disclosure Statement available at mercersuper.com.au. The product’s Target Market Determination setting out the class of people for whom the product may be suitable can be found at mercersuper.com.au/tmd.
‘MERCER’ is an Australian registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.
Mercer SmartPath® is an Australian registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.
