66 Super Fund Performance 2026: Are You Ahead or Behind?

Your super has one job — to grow your money for retirement. So how do you actually know if it's doing it? In this episode, Naomi and Helene check this year's super fund performance against the market performance.  We explore the factors that impacted investments over the 2025/26 year, from interest rates going one way then the other, to the AI boom, to a genuine escalation in the Middle East, and what all of it actually meant for Australian shares, property, bonds and cash. We break down the five risk categories super funds use and walks through performance across the 1, 5 and 10 year view.  We explain exactly what to look for so you can read your statement with fresh eyes.  This episode connects to Episode 21 — The Super Audit. If you haven't done your audit yet, that's a great companion listen. This episode is proudly sponsored by NGS Super. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN A quick recap of the three-part super audit from Episode 21: fees, where your money is invested, and performance The story behind FY26's returns: interest rates, the AI capex boom, the March 2026 Middle East escalation, and ongoing trade uncertainty The performance of the major asset classes in Australia over the past 12 months The five risk categories super funds use, broken down by growth vs defensive asset split How performance looks across three different time frames FY26 SUPER FUND PERFORMANCE BY RISK CATEGORY Figures current as at 30 June 2026. Source: Chant West Super Fund Performance Survey. Shown net of investment fees and tax, before administration fees and adviser commissions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.  Risk Category Growth / Defensive Split 1 Year 5 Years (p.a.) 10 Years (p.a.) All Growth 96–100% growth 12.4% 8.4% 9.6% High Growth 81–95% growth 10.9% 7.9% 9.5% Growth 61–80% growth 9.5% 6.9% 7.8% Balanced 41–60% growth 7.6% 5.6% 6.3% Conservative 21–40% growth 6.0% 4.2% 4.6% Plain-text version, in case your podcast platform doesn't render tables (Apple Podcasts and Spotify usually strip formatting from episode descriptions): RISK CATEGORY (growth/defensive split) — 1 YEAR | 5 YEARS (p.a.) | 10 YEARS (p.a.) All Growth (96–100% growth) — 12.4% | 8.4% | 9.6% High Growth (81–95% growth) — 10.9% | 7.9% | 9.5% Growth (61–80% growth) — 9.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% Balanced (41–60% growth) — 7.6% | 5.6% | 6.3% Conservative (21–40% growth) — 6.0% | 4.2% | 4.6%   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? If this episode helped you check in on your super with a bit more confidence, the best thing you can do is leave a review wherever you listen. It takes less than two minutes and it helps more women find this show. And if you know someone who hasn't looked at their super in a while, send this episode to her today. DISCLAIMER This episode contains general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not financial product advice. Before acting on anything discussed, consider whether it's appropriate for your circumstances and seek advice from a qualified professional. Naomi Holmes and Her Money Matters are licensed by Alethea Partners Pty Ltd, AFSL 557729. NGS Super is a sponsor of this episode. Sponsorship does not influence the general information we share. Any performance data or fund names referenced, including NGS Super's own, relates to third-party Chant West research and is not a recommendation of NGS Super specifically. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. All performance figures in this episode are current as at 30 June 2026, sourced from Chant West.