What do the ratings mean?
The SuperRatings logos you’ll see beside a fund’s name aren’t something given lightly. Before determining a fund’s rating, the SuperRatings researchers put every aspect of a fund’s offering under a microscope. In all, SuperRatings conduct over 300 separate checks in the process of determining if it is good enough to earn a Silver, Gold or Platinum rating. The assessment covers investment, fees & charges, administration, advice, governance, insurance and overall quality. A SuperRatings rating is reward for a fund’s past performance and can be considered a reliable guide to a fund’s future value – although, of course, nothing is certain.
Platinum - The best value for money funds. Well balanced across all key assessment criteria - investment returns, investment methodology, fees, administration and advisory services in a robust, secure and proven governance.risk framework. Provides features that should assist most individuals to meet their retirement goals.
Gold - A good value for money superannuation fund. Strong in nearly all assessment areas.
Silver - A reasonable value for money fund performing well in most assessment areas.
Other - These funds usually have below average features and/or performance across a number of SuperRatings rating criteria.
Fundamentals reports tell the stories behind the ratings of more than 450 super and pension funds. Go to the Savvy Supermarket for more information.
How are award-winners chosen?
Generally, award winners will be selected from the Platinum rated funds. But not always. A Gold rated fund could win, say, the Rising Star award because it had made enormous progress in its product offerings, efficiencies, member services and communication or performance.
Winning funds greatly value their status and will often display their award beside their ratings. They understand the credibility that comes with an award from Australia’s leading independent superannuation analysts.
As a SuperSavvy member, you can download Fundamentals reports that explain what we like about the award-winning funds.
How do I choose between similarly rated funds?
If several funds are rated the same, you need to dig deeper to choose the one that’s right for you. Have a look at where a fund invests its money. Many funds that offer a Balanced option, for example, have widely differing mixes of investments. The result of this is that a group of funds can produce a huge variation in results, even though on paper they all look superficially similar. As a Gold member, you can use the Risk Profile calculator to determine your ideal balance between risk and reward, then see what funds come closest to matching your risk profile.