Despite market volatility and sharp falls in sharemarkets during April, Aware Super’s default MySuper option – Future Saver High Growth – delivered its third consecutive year of double-digit returns for FY24–25, the fund revealed on Wednesday.
Additionally, investors in Aware Super’s Retirement Income Conservative Balanced option returned 9.8 per cent during the financial year.
Damian Graham, Aware Super’s chief investment officer, attributed the fund’s performance to the strength of its $195 billion diversified portfolio and actively managed investment strategy.
“Aware Super members have enjoyed another year of strong returns with our diversified, actively managed portfolio again performing well despite challenging market conditions at the beginning of 2025,” Graham said.
The fund further attributed global shares, private equity and infrastructure as asset classes that delivered strong returns.
According to Graham, Aware’s globally diversified portfolio was “pivotal” in providing strong results for members.
“Our investments span a vast range of listed and unlisted assets, from technology companies and data centre operators to energy transition investments and build-to-rent housing projects across global markets,” Graham said.
“We search the world for investments exposed to promising long-term growth trends, including the digital economy, technology innovation, the energy transition, and the ageing population and its need for retirement housing and health services. “
Aware was one of the first funds to make the Future Saver High Growth the default option for its younger members, according to Graham, which led to them benefiting from “being in the high-growth phase for longer”, enhancing their retirement outcomes.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Balanced pension remained the most popular option for retirees through investing in assets to assist with inflationary pressures.
Graham added that investment balances for retirees are being bolstered by Aware Super’s decision to lower administration fees in June by up to 25 per cent.
“The needs of retirees are different, so in the options they typically prefer, like Conservative Balanced, we invest differently. We build in more defensive shares and liquid alternative assets which are designed to rise when markets fall significantly.
“Our aim is to cushion the impact markets can have on retirees’ balances. If they lose less when markets fall, their income won’t be as affected, so they can have more confidence that their money will last for longer in retirement,” Graham said.
