Making an investment choice means making an informed decision about how you invest your super.When you make an investment choice, you can:
- make sure your super is being invested in an investment option that suits you
- choose from a range of options - from low risk to high risk
- invest your super in a range of asset classes – from cash to shares
- switch your investment choice up to 12 times a financial year free of charge
When you make an investment choice, it will usually be effective on the first day of the following month. In the event of a partial payment occurring after the first day of the month but before the monthly investment returns are declared for the investment options (which can be up to three weeks) your new investment choice will take effect after the date of the partial payment.
If you don’t make a choice
If you don’t make an investment choice, that’s OK. We’ll still look after you by investing your super in our Lifecycle strategy. We know everyone has different investment needs, so we’ve created a range of default options based on your age.
Please see the table below for the investment option you’ll be automatically invested in:
| If you are: | You will be automatically invested in: |
| Aged less than 50 | Long-Term Growth |
|---|---|
| Aged 50 to 59 | Medium-Term Growth |
| Aged over 60 | Balanced |
Members aged under 50 will have their money invested in super for a longer period of time, and can afford to ride the ups and downs of the investment cycle. Therefore, they are invested in our Long-Term Growth option, the investment option with the highest risk and return.
In contrast, we expect that members closer to retirement age generally want less investment volatility, and are therefore invested in our Balanced option.
How does the Lifecycle strategy work?
If you are in the Lifecycle strategy and under the age of 50, your super will be invested in the Long-Term Growth option. When you turn 50 years old, your super will automatically be switched to the Medium-Term Growth option. When you turn 60, your super will automatically be switched to the Balanced option.
The automatic switches will become effective from the first day of the month following your 50th and 60th birthday respectively. We will write to you before we change your investment option to remind you of this change.
Note: If you’ve made an investment choice, we will also write to you before your 50th and 60th birthday. If you don’t make another investment choice, the Lifecycle strategy for your age will apply.
How to change your investment choice
- Please refer to our Member Guide or Pension Guide for more information about the investment options available to you.
- Once you’ve decided which investment option best suits you, you can apply to change your investment choice by:
• accessing your account online with eSuper - go to the ‘Make an Investment Choice’ section
• downloading a Change my investment option form and posting it to us.
Confirmation of your new investment choice will be sent to your postal address.
Important information
Your new investment choice received before the end of the month will usually be effective the first day of the following month. However, your online records will only be updated when the monthly investment returns have been declared. This may take up to three weeks. You can refer to our Member Guide for more information. The Member Guide also explains how investment returns are allocated if you withdraw benefits (partially or fully) from us before monthly investment rates are declared. Interim investment rates may apply.
