September 22, 2020 
42 Comments 
The 40 worst performing superannuation funds hold $5.5 billion and charge Australians a staggering $117 million in fees each year.
Online investment adviser stockspot.com.au has released its eighth annual Fat Cat Funds Report, revealing the worst performing and best performing funds for 2020.
The research found that fees and poor performance could result in individuals losing up to $200,000 by the time they reach retirement age.
AMP, which has been listed in the worst-performing funds for every year the report has been compiled, topped the list as the worst fund this year, followed by OnePath and Macquarie.
Stockspot measures a poorly performing fund (what it terms a Fat Cat fund) as one that has been in the bottom 10 performing funds within a particular risk group (balanced, growth, etc) over five years.
A good investment fund is one that is in the top 10 funds within a risk group over the same period of time.
Not only did AMP top the list of the worst investment funds, it also made history by being the first Fat Cat fund to deliver a negative return over five years with one of their options delivering a total return of -2.2 per cent.
AMP (12) and OnePath (11) account for more than half of the top 40 worst-performing funds.
According to the Stockspot research, a typical Fat Cat fund charges 2.13 per cent in fees while a typical Fit Cat fund (referring to a strong super investment option) charges 0.97 per cent.
Unisuper was recognised as having the most top performing super funds over five years (seven), followed by IOOF (five) and Australian Super (four).
Report author Chris Brycki said the one thing that the best performing super funds had in common was that they all charged less than 1 per cent in fees per year.
“Superannuation is the biggest investment most Australians have, yet most people have no idea how much they stand to lose if they’re in a Fat Cat fund,” Mr Brycki said.
“One of the golden rules of superannuation is: the less you pay, the more you get. Always pay less than 1 per cent p.a. in fees so your super isn’t eroded by high fees.
“Unfortunately, there are almost twice as many high-fee funds (more than 1 per cent p.a. in fees) than low fee funds (less than 1 per cent p.a. in fees).”
Mr Brycki also notes that people can be reticent to change, and even when they know they’re in a Fat Cat fund, prefer to turn a blind eye than spend the 10 minutes required to save themselves serious cash in the future.
“Sadly, in the eight years of naming the worst performing Fat Cat funds, few people have moved out of these funds,” he explained.
“Retirement may seem a while away, but when you get there and realise you could have been $200,000 richer, it won’t be a good feeling.”
Do you have money invested in an AMP or OnePath super fund? Are you now worried about what your nest egg will look like in retirement?
If you enjoy our content, don’t keep it to yourself. Share our free eNews with your friends and encourage them to sign up.
Leon Della Bosca
Ben Hocking
Will Brodie
Ellie Baxter
Olivia Jones
YourLifeChoices Writers
Nope not in either.
not in either and my find in is top 10 and fee is 0.33% and doesn’t invest in nrenewables scam
Sounds good, which fund is it may I ask?
Yep; as with others here, waiting breathlessly for that list of funds. Sort of only half a report by YLC !! Anyway had look around and here is a start.
https://blog.stockspot.com.au/best-performing-super-funds/#worst
Just confirms what a lot if us allready know, stick with Industry Funds.
I am so glad I switched from National Mutual to Q Super when given the choice.
I doubt very much if would have been able to retire at 55 if I had not done so.
Aussiefrog – mine is an industry fund – Telstra Super
Hey ExPS – 20 year ago I switched as well I was in Colonial,BT, National Mutual and Norwich
ex PS I found Qsuper fantastic
I’m happy with QSuper too. Not just their returns but call centre too
“Do you have money invested in an AMP or OnePath super fund? Are you now worried about what your nest egg will look like in retirement?”
We’re with an industry fund and we’re not worried about our funds or the return on the investments made by the fund. I might point out that the fees in our fund are roughly just under 2% and I mention this because the “staggering $117 million in fees each year” shown in the article for poor performing funds is roughly just over 2%. Fees are not tied to the return but are a fixed figure.
I am in industry fund and would not change either
Used to have money in First State Super and paid about $5,000 in fees, transferred to Australian Super and paid about $2,400 for a better return. Yes, an industry fund, you know, the ones that Prime Minister Scumbag wants to get rid of? Not part of the Old Boys Network that runs AUS, I expect.
First State Super is also an industry fund and is now known as Aware.
So where is the complete list ?
Good question, I was asking myself also!
Exactly my thoughts as well. Their header says, Ben reveals all, but all I can see is two bad funds and about three good funds mentioned. Wonder how much of it is linked to who advertises on here and who doesn’t. All would generally mean a comprehensive listing, not cherry picking.
You will probably find that if there is a charge to access the complete list it would not be legal to publish it in an open forum.
If you want it that badly just pay for it.
hey gents you can do a google search and come up with some lists
Mmmmm, where is the complete list?
Whilst mine is a smaller industry fund and rates worthy of the top 10ers (7.44% growth over 5 years), proud to say that they invest in local infrastructure and renewables.
Sadly this article does not include a link to the complete list.
Anyone know where to get the complete list?
For those people enquiring about the Super Funds report. The web site is listed in the second paragraph. FAT CAT FUNDS REPORT. Click on that. If you go there you can register to get the book information.
Sure, and what will we be charged for that privilege.
Comrade Cope, politically correct as usual!
That’s the way
Is that Scotty from marketing???
Times are tough when you have to do your own trolling.
Scott – your with the majority and that is all that matters