Hostplus has been named the 2026 Best Super Fund by Money magazine, with UniSuper winning Best Pension Fund for the fourth year in a row for its consistent high performance across categories.
Money revealed winners of 34 superannuation categories, covering investment performance across asset classes, best-value and innovation, with 17 super funds revealed as the award winners.
Hostplus and Brighter Super won four awards each, with UniSuper, Colonial First State and Mercer all winning three awards.
“Small steps can make a big difference when it comes to your super,” said Michelle Baltazar, editor-in-chief at Money magazine.
“Stay engaged with your super to see where you can find providers offering leading value in terms of lower fees, while achieving strong, long-term returns.”
“There are some key saving opportunities available to consumers, indexed options sitting lower than 0.1% on some products, while the average super member pays 0.87%*, which is a huge difference.”
“We also encourage our readers to consider making extra contributions; if possible, conduct a super health check to ensure your retirement savings are on track; and review your accounts to avoid paying for duplicate super funds or unnecessary insurance.”
Research for the Best of the Best Awards was conducted by Rainmaker Information in partnership with Money.
Money’s Best of the Best superannuation award winners include:
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Returns % pa1 |
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Category |
Fund/product |
1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
Fees on $50,000 |
|
Highest Super Performer |
Team Super International Shares |
17.4% |
20.1% |
15.4% |
0.10% |
|
Best Balanced Super Product |
Hostplus Indexed Balanced |
11.9% |
12.0% |
9.5% |
0.04% |
|
Best ESG Super Product |
Australian Ethical Super Employer – International Shares |
16.0% |
16.5% |
12.8% |
0.90% |
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|
Returns % pa1 |
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Category |
Fund/product |
1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
Fees on $100,000 |
|
Highest Pension Performers |
Mercer Passive International Shares |
18.0% |
20.1% |
15.4% |
0.20% |
|
Best Balanced Pension Product |
Brighter Super Pension Indexed Balanced |
13.6% |
13.6% |
N/A |
0.11% |
|
Best Fixed Interest Pension Product |
UniSuper Pension Australian Income |
7.0% |
7.2% |
4.3% |
0.20% |
Ultra Long-Term Performance
Aware Super Future Saver – Employee Sponsored won this category with a 20-year performance of 7.6% pa, alongside 8.6% pa over ten years.
Best Value Super Fund for Young People
Essential Super – Employer won this category among a top five consisting of only lifecycle products. The investment option returned 12.3% over one year, 12.4% pa over three years and 10.1% pa over five years, with fees of 1.90% pa on a balance of $5,000.
Innovation in Digital Advice Tools
Hostplus ushered in a new era in financial advice for members with the launch in late 2024 of SuperSmart, an innovative education-led digital tool aimed at helping members achieve the retirement outcomes they deserve. SuperSmart delivers personalised financial education and digital personal advice to eligible members, with a user-friendly, fully integrated, self-guided platform.
The full-results of the Money Best of the Best Awards are published in the December magazine, available in-store and online from December 1, 2025.
* Rainmaker Information, Superannuation fees fall again, published October 16, 2025
1 Performance to 30 June 2025
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