Aware Super delivers double digit returns

Aware Super has delivered a return of 11.9% for its Future Saver High Growth option - its default MySuper option for under 55s - for the 2025 financial year.

Retirees invested in Aware's Conservative Balanced option also enjoyed strong performance with the pension option achieving a 9.8% return.

Aware Super chief investment officer Damian Graham said the performance was testament to the strength of the $195 billion fund's 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 super fund said global shares were a strong performing asset class, with private equity and infrastructure also delivering solid returns.

Graham also highlighted the fund's globally diversified portfolio as being pivotal in delivering consistently strong results for members, noting the High Growth option achieved a positive return for April despite big falls on share markets that month.

"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."

Graham said the fund has been working to create new approaches and options to preserve retirement savings for members as they progress through different life stages.

"Aware Super was one of the first funds to make High Growth the default option for younger members as part of our MySuper Lifecycle approach. Our younger members have had the benefit of being in the high-growth phase for longer, enhancing their retirement outcomes," Graham said.

"The Conservative Balanced pension is our default and most popular option for retirees. It still invests in growth assets to help their savings keep up with the rising cost of living but balances this with more defensive assets."

Graham said Aware Super has aimed to cushion the impact markets can have on retiree 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," he said.

"Investment balances for retirees are also being strengthened by our decision in June to reduce administration fees on pension accounts by up to 25% as we shared the benefits of our increasing scale."