With the super fund market continuing to boom, a majority of members are ahead of where they were before the global financial crisis (GFC).
According to Chant West, a pull-back in March did not disrupt the growth in super funds, which is likely to return its highest growth result since before the GFC.
"The median growth fund is now eight per cent above its pre-GFC level achieved at the end of October 2007," Chant West director Warren Chant said.
"Even the more aggressive high growth category (with an 81 to 100 per cent allocation to growth assets) surpassed its pre-GFC level during the quarter.
"So a vast majority of members are ahead of where they were before the GFC struck - and of course that doesn't include post-GFC contributions, which have been assets for them at depressed prices."
SuperRatings research found that superannuation remains positive over the long term, with the sector increasing by 43.9 per cent from a February 2009 low.
The research provider found that the balanced super fund option fell by 0.2 per cent in March, and median financial year-to-date performance for the 2012/2013 financial year had reached 12.5 per cent.
"March's fall across super balanced options was quite modest, especially when compared with the 2.2 per cent fall in the Australian listed equity market," SuperRatings founder Jeff Bresnahan said.
"Although listed equities (both domestic and international) make up some 55 per cent of the average balanced fund option, this performance highlights the benefits of diversified super portfolios, and funds remain on track to deliver double digit returns to members this financial year."
Chant West research found that the median growth fund with a 61 to 80 per cent allocation to growth assets was up 4.5 per cent from the end of December to the end of March, with the total increase over the financial year reaching 12.9 per cent.
Shares and listed property were the growth sectors over the March quarter with Australian shares increasing eight per cent and Australian REITs increasing by 5.3 per cent over the period, as well as global REITs by 8.8 per cent.
"The strong share market rally has been driven largely by improved sentiment, with investors reacting optimistically to good news and looking past the current subdued growth rates," Mr West said.
"However, the [share market] rally won't be sustainable if we don't see tangible economic progress at some point."
