Stockspot debuts ETF-only super fund

Wealth management and robo advisory platform Stockspot has officially launched its first retail superannuation product, touted as a simple, transparent and low-fee alternative to traditional super funds.

The new ETF-only fund, first unveiled last November, is now open to the public, promising members “greater visibility and control over their retirement savings”.

Stockspot founder and chief executive Chris Brycki hailed the launch of Stockspot Super as a direct challenge to “underperforming” and “high fee” funds offered by traditional superannuation providers.

By investing exclusively in ETFs, Stockspot said its retail super fund holders gain the benefit of lower fees and greater transparency compared to traditional super funds that still invest overwhelmingly “in high-fee, unlisted assets”.

Stockspot Super holders are charged a 0.352% administration fee on the first $500,000, which is capped at $3,630.00 per annum (for family groups of up to six members). Other fees include a 0.03% p.a. (on account balance) expense recovery fee, a 0.026% p.a. (on assets) excess administration expense, and a 1.5% p.a. cash management fee (on fund holder’s cash account balance).

No fees are charged on investments, transaction costs, or for switching.

“Australians are paying billions each year in super fees that could be compounding towards a better retirement,” Brycki said.

“Super funds should be investing in assets that are transparent, fairly priced, and efficient – not complex structures that benefit fund managers more than members.”

Being ETF-only, investments are also priced daily, “ensuring fair entry and exit for all members”.

“Many super funds invest in private assets that are only valued quarterly or annually, creating a risk of stale pricing that disadvantages some members over others,” Brycki said.

The fund has also been touted as Australia’s first super product to include a “meaningful” gold allocation – a theme regularly advocated by Brycki and Stockspot – providing additional downside risk for members.

An additional unique feature of the fund is automatic risk adjustments based on a member’s age, ensuring fund holders “gradually transition to a more stable portfolio without unnecessary complexity or fees”.

This ensures that risk adjustments are “seamless”, and “without hidden costs or unnecessary decisions”, Brycki said.

He added: “Super should be simple – your money should be invested in cost-effective, diversified assets that work for you, not for fund managers.

“Australians deserve a super fund that prioritises their savings over corporate sponsorships and hidden fees.”