Super kicks off 2026 in positive territory

Mike Taylor

Managing Editor and Publisher

11 February 2026

Superannuation fund returns have kicked off 2026 in positive territory, according to specialist research house SuperRatings.

According to SuperRatings, the median balanced option generated a modest return of 0.5% in January, the sixth positive return this financial year.

However, the company’s analysis noted that the January 2026 returns are significantly more muted than this time last year with the financial year to date return sitting at just 4.8% compared to 8% at the same time last year.

It said the remainder of the financial year may see funds struggle to live up to the 2025 financial year return of 10.5%, with expectations around AI turning into pressure on share prices for those being potentially disrupted or failing to live up to growth ambitions, coupled with ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising inflationary pressures in Australia.

The median growth option also increased by an estimated 0.5% in January, while the median capital stable option delivered a 0.4% return to members.

Pension returns were concentrated over the month with the median balanced, growth and capital stable pension options all delivering 0.5% for the month. Financial year to date returns remain above accumulation accounts, mostly due to tax benefits, with the median balanced pension option returning and estimated 5.5% over the first seven months of the year.

Commenting on the data, SuperRatings Director, Kirby Rappell said that at the mid-point of the financial year, funds had delivered consistently so far, albeit at a more subdued level than a year earlier.

“Members should remember that we have seen another positive return, and that this remains a strong result given uncertainties in the world. Over the long-term, funds have built a good track record of navigating market uncertainty, meaning that members should try and look through the noise,” he said.