The Australian superannuation sector grew $50 billion in the 2012 financial year to $1.4 trillion, according to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)'s Annual Superannuation Bulletin.
That represents a 3.7 per cent annual growth rate, with industry fund assets showing the largest increase, up by 6.6 per cent for 2012.
Public sector funds grew by 5.7 per cent; small funds, including self-managed super funds (SMSFs) and small APRA funds, were up by 3.7 per cent; the retail sector grew 0.9 per cent while the corporate super sector shrunk 4.1 per cent.
The industry-wide rate of return of 0.5 per cent (excluding small funds) was led by public sector funds, which returned 1.7 per cent. Corporate funds (1.0 per cent) and industry funds (0.9 per cent) were also in the black, but overall retail funds lost 0.6 per cent.
Total contributions of $117.5 billion for the year comprised $82.1 billion from employers and $34.2 billion from members.
Of this, $90.9 billion went to large funds, with public sector funds receiving the largest slice ($31.5 billion) ahead of retail funds' 31 per cent ($28.2 billion), industry funds ($27.5 billion) and corporate funds ($3.7 billion).
In the 10 years to 30 June 2012, the industry-wide rate of return for large funds overall was 4.4 per cent. Public sector funds returned 5.5 per cent per annum, industry funds 5.1 per cent, corporate funds 4.8 per cent and retail funds 3.4 per cent.
The data was welcomed by the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), which said the figures highlight the outperformance of the not-for-profit sector - industry, public sector and corporate funds.
Pointing to the 10-year returns, AIST chief executive Fiona Reynolds said an extra one or two per cent per year was "not to be sneezed at".
Modelling by rating agencies in 2009 had shown an outperformance of around 2.4 per cent per annum was worth nearly $24,000 extra in superannuation to an individual after 10 years on average weekly earnings, Ms Reynolds noted.
Ms Reynolds also welcomed APRA's analysis of superannuation pension payments, which showed that proportionately more retirees were drawing down pensions as opposed to taking out lump sums upon reaching retirement age.
APRA has also released data for the performance of superannuation funds over the last nine years, allowing fund members to compare returns.
The regulatory body has provided data for APRA-regulated funds, excepting small APRA funds, single-member approved deposit funds and pooled superannuation trusts, so that performance of funds can be compared over the period from 2004 to 2012.
"The tables will assist the industry to focus on the long-term performance of superannuation funds and their trustees," APRA said in a statement.
One report collates data on superannuation fund-level rates of return, and contains performance data on the 200 largest funds by asset size as annualised five-year and nine-year average returns; as well as a break down by year.
The second report provides data on superannuation fund-level profiles and financial performance, allowing observers to analyse APRA-regulated funds across a range of measures.
APRA have said the data will provide additional transparency, allowing members to get the most out of their super funds.
"Under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, trustees of superannuation funds must formulate an investment strategy for the benefit of all members of the fund," APRA said.
"The performance data released today, much of which are available through financial statement and annual reports, support APRA's objective to promote transparency and accountability."
