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Superannuation funds delivered gains in the 2025 financial year. Even though there were challenges like global trade tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, super funds not only held steady, but they also delivered impressive returns.

How Super Funds Performed

On average, super funds with a higher portion invested in growth assets returned 10.5% in 2025. This continues a strong run, after returns of 9.2% in 2023 and 9.1% in 2024. Over the past three years, super funds have grown by more than 30% altogether.

What Drove These Results?

According to Chant West, a trusted source of superannuation and pension research, the main reason for these strong returns was the healthy performance of share markets:

• Australian and international shares both provided returns around 13.7%.
• The weaker Australian dollar made international shares even more valuable, giving them a boost to 18.6% for some members.

But shares weren’t the only winners:

• Infrastructure investments (like toll roads and airports) gave low double-digit returns.
• Private equity investments grew between 8% and 11%.
• Unlisted property (such as shopping centres and offices) recovered, ending the year with gains of 2% to 5% after a tough couple of years.

Listed real assets also did well:

• International listed infrastructure grew by 16.3%.
• Australian listed property jumped 13.7%.
• International listed property increased by 8.4%.

Even the safer investments (bonds and cash) had a good year:

• Australian bonds: up 6.8%
• International bonds: up 5.4% (best year since 2019)
• Cash: up 4.4%

Which Super Funds Did the Best in 2025?

Here are the top 10 growth investment options for the past year:

Source: Data from Chant West

Stay Focused on the Long Term

These great results are reassuring, but remember that super is a marathon, not a sprint. Over time, riding out the ups and downs often works out best. Since compulsory super began in 1992, typical growth funds have delivered about 8% per year. This is much better than the usual goal of roughly 6%, which is inflation plus 3.5%.

Super funds also aim for only one negative year in five, on average. Since 1992, there have been only five negative years in 33. This shows they’re managing risk well while growing wealth.

What This Means for You

Australian super funds are in good shape, and Australian retirement savings are growing steadily. If you have questions about your super fund’s performance or your own investment approach, talk to us to make sure your money is working as hard as possible for you.