Learning Investment basics

Retirement may seem like a long way off

Planning for retirement now can help you change how you’ll live then. Before you make your investment choice, think about what you really need from your super. How much income do you earn? How many years until you retire? What other investments or assets do you have? Can you afford to make extra contributions into super?

We have a range of tools that can help

You can use our Retirement income calculator to help you work out how much you may need, and check if the Age Pension plus your super will give you enough income in retirement. Use our Retirement spending planner to work out how long you’ll be able to sustain your current way of life, while still enjoying those little extras in retirement.

View our range of calculator tools.

Understanding risks and expected investment returns

Different types of investments carry different levels of risk, depending on the type of assets that you are invested in and the timeframe. Generally, the more risk you take with your investments, the greater the potential for higher long-term returns. The lower the risk you take, the lower the likely long-term return.

Think about how long you have to invest

How long you have to invest could influence your investment choices. Don't forget that even once you retire, you may need to take some investment risk to help your savings continue to grow and keep ahead of the rising costs of living.

Asset classes – your investment building blocks

Asset classes are the building blocks of our suite of investment options. How much we invest in each asset class depends on each option’s investment objective. Every option has a different mix of asset classes and different amounts in each asset class.

Your investment portfolio

Most members who are in our accumulation products are invested in the default Growth (MySuper) option. But if you'd like to make your own investment choice, we offer a range of options that you can mix and match, depending on how hands-on you want to be with your super.

With a choice of six Pre-mixed and five DIY investment options, you can mix and match your investments to create a strategy that suits your needs. If you take this path, make sure you read the Investment Handbook (PDF) and consider your options carefully. And get in touch if you need help.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

By investing across a wide range of asset types, the risk of a big fall in your account value is reduced. This is called diversifying your investments. Diversification works because not all asset types perform in the same way at the same time – when one investment is performing poorly another may be performing well.

The longer your super stays invested, the more it can grow

Your super is invested so that over time, it can grow more than it would compared to it sitting in a bank account. We invest your balance into things like shares, property, toll roads, airports and other assets, depending on which investment option you’re in.

The money in your super account earns investment returns over time including all of your contributions. And the best part is that investment returns then compounds over time, which means not only do you earn investment returns on your original contributions, but you also earn investment returns on top of the investment returns you’ve already made.

Investment performance

Investment returns represent gains or losses on your investment. Media Super uses crediting rates to calculate earnings generated by your investments.

To learn more about crediting rates, read our comprehensive Understanding your investment returns and crediting rates factsheet (PDF).

Our videos showcase some of the ways in which we invest your super across asset classes including property, infrastructure, listed shares, fixed interest, cash and private equity. 

Learn more about navigating our way through all market conditions.

We understand that market ups and downs can be unsettling however it is important to remember that super is a long-term investment and our diversified portfolios are designed to withstand them.

Learn more about market volatility.

At any time, you can change investment options. Changes for future contributions occur as soon as they are received.

You can log into your online account  to change your investment options. If you haven't logged in before, please contact us.

Alternatively, complete the Investment choice form (PDF).

It’s important to think long-term. In times of higher share market volatility, it may be tempting to invest your super in lower risk options to try to minimise losses over the short term. However, reacting to short-term changes may reduce your super balance over the long term.

So while monitoring your investment performance is important, frequent switching between options may not benefit you in the long run.

If you're considering switching during a period of investment market volatility , read about changing options in response to short-term share market movements.

Or read more about share market volatility and how Media Super invests.

Before you change how you invest your super, it’s important to understand the range of investment options available, your investment time frame and the impact of changing investment options.