Quarterly superannuation performance statistics highlights - March 2025

Industry overview

Total superannuation assets decreased by 0.8 per cent over the quarter to $4.1 trillion as at March 2025 (Chart 1), of which $2.9 trillion was in APRA-regulated funds. Superannuation returns grew modestly over the last 12 months, with a 5.9 per cent return in the year to March 2025.

Chart 1: Assets of superannuation entities

Entities with more than 6 members

The comments below relate to superannuation entities with more than six members.

Contributions, benefit transfers and benefit payments

Total contributions were $46.8 billion for the quarter and reached $202.8 billion in the year ending March 2025, an increase of 14.4 per cent from the previous year. Employer contributions were $36.7 billion for the quarter and $147.1 billion for the year ending March 2025, 10.3 per cent higher compared to the previous year. The annual growth included the effect of an increase in the super guarantee contribution rate from 11.0 per cent to 11.5 per cent starting July 2024. Member contributions were $10.1 billion for the quarter and $55.7 billion for the year ending March 2025, 26.9 per cent higher than the previous year. The increase was driven by growth in personal contributions.

Benefit payments totalled $127.5 billion for the year ending March 2025, a 11.6 per cent increase from the previous year. The increase was attributable to a 14.9 per cent increase in pension payments and a 9.1 per cent increase in lump sum payments over the year ending March 2025. Total benefit payments for the quarter comprised of $16.7 billion of lump sum benefit payments and $13.9 billion of pension payments (Chart 2).

Net contribution flows (contributions plus net benefit transfers, less benefit payments) were $11.7 billion in the quarter (Chart 3). Net contribution flows for the 12 months to March 2025 increased by 13.4 per cent to $67.0 billion.

Chart 2: Benefit Payments

Chart 3: Net contribution flows

Financial performance

The five-year annualised rate of return (ROR) to March 2025 was 8.1 per cent (Chart 4). The ROR for the year ending March 2025 was 5.0 per cent.

Chart 4: Five-year annualised rate of return

Disclaimer and Copyright

While APRA endeavours to ensure the quality of this publication, it does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or currency of the material included in this publication and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of any use of, or reliance on, this publication.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence (CCBY 4.0). This licence allows you to copy, redistribute and adapt this work, provided you attribute the work and do not suggest that APRA endorses you or your work. To view a full copy of the terms of this licence, visit: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/