Eleven Australian super funds are among the top 300 largest funds in the world.
Australian superannuation funds are the fastest growing funds in the world, according to a Watson Wyatt survey.
While the superannuation funds account for only 2 per cent of total assets of the world's largest 300 pension funds, this has more than doubled since last year, pushing three more funds into the rankings.
The funds that are ranked in the top 300 largest global pension funds include Future Fund (66), State Super (89), AustralianSuper (121), Unisuper(124), QSuper (143), ARIA (186), First State Super (230) and REST (238).
The three new funds adding to the line-up are HESTA (260), Cbus (275) and Telstra Super (295).
Collectively, all these funds manage more than $260 billion in funds under management.
The Future Fund jumped up 122 places, largely as a result of receiving contributions from the Commonwealth Government.
The strongly performing Australian dollar contributed to the increase in the size of the funds, according to the report.
Watson Wyatt head of investment consulting practice Graeme Miller said compulsory superannuation also spurred this growth.
"The 9 per cent superannuation guarantee contributions, coupled with attractive tax benefits and a healthy level of competition between the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, have ensured that our superannuation industry has flourished to become the fastest growing in the world," Miller said.
In Part 2 of our exclusive series, we ask leading names to nominate their best investments, the most effective industry group and the importance of platforms.
Since last month's issue, newspaper headlines have continued to scream out doom and gloom about the current markets, among them "Super losses", "Savage write-offs" and "More bad news".... read more »
Home delivered!
Daily news, weekday mornings
Get the day's news delivered direct to your inbox. Register here (it's free!) and choose 'yes' to receive the InvestorDaily newsletter.
Catholics revamp fixed interest »
Industry superannuation fund the Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund (CSRF) has revamped its fixed income portfolio.
Mercer backs alternatives »
Mercer has awarded $34.15 million in mandates to Tactical Global Management (TGM) and Lazard Asset Management to invest in alternative assets.
It is a belief of some planners that ASIC lost the opportunity to make inroads into the licensing of planners eight to 10 years ago when it was just getting on its feet.... read more »