Making an investment choice for your super

To help you grow a healthy nest-egg for retirement, when you join AMP super, you’re given a choice about how you’d like it to be invested.

If you don’t make a decision or prefer to be a little more hands-off with your super investments, then you will be invested in the MySuper investment option.

If you want to be more involved with your super’s investment decisions, then you can choose up to 15 different options from our standard investment menu of around 30 options.

Choosing your own super investments

Choosing your own super investment mix gives you the flexibility and control to build your portfolio as you like. You can choose up to 15 investment options across a range of different investment approaches. More on these below.

To find out more about the options available in your super account, check out your investment guide or visit My AMP .

How to make an investment choice 

Here’s a step-by-step approach to making an investment choice for your super, so you can feel more informed and in control.

Step 1 – Talk to an expert

We recommend you consider receiving advice from a financial adviser before selecting investment options.

If you don’t already have a financial adviser, and you’re an AMP Super member and would like advice about how your super’s invested, you can book complimentary simple super advice with one of our phone-based advisers.

Step 2 – Consider these things

Here are three things to consider before you start:

1.  Your investment goals: Are they short-term or long-term goals? How much will you need?
2. Your timeframe: When do you want to retire?
3. Your attitude to risk: Are you comfortable with negative returns in the short-term when seeking higher returns over the long-term? Or are you more comfortable with moderate and consistent returns? More on this below.

What Investor style am I?

Our What investor style am I? tool helps you to understand the investment style that is most appropriate for you.

Find out more 

Step 3 – Understand your attitude to risk

Everybody has different goals for their super, when they’re planning to retire, and how they feel about risk. These goals will change over time too, depending on circumstances and life-stages.including

To help decide what investment approach might suit you, it’s a good idea to speak to a financial adviser. And in the meantime, you can also try our risk simulator tool - a quick way to help you work out your investment style and what types of investments you might consider, but it’s not a replacement for personalised financial advice.

Step 4 – Understand your options

There are a number of ways you can approach your super’s investments. Here are some key approaches to consider:

• Index investing also known as passive investing. This approach aims to match the median results of the market. It’s seen as a low-cost way to generate returns over the long-term.

• Active investing means active decisions are made about how your super is invested, with the goal of outperforming the market.

• ESG investing (or ethical, social and governance investing). For good reason, many people want to make sure their super is being invested responsibly.

• Growth assets eg shares and property. These usually have a higher level of volatility than defensive assets and their asset values can change day-to-day (sometimes by a lot). However, they have the potential for higher returns than defensive assets over the longer-term.

• Defensive assets eg cash and fixed interest. These are less volatile than growth assets, however their overall return potential is also lower.
  
  

Remember: You don’t have to choose one option. You can mix it up depending on your risk profile and goals.

Step 5 – Getting into the details

Once you’re clear about the style of investor you are, and general the approach you’d like your investments to take, there’s another layer or choice you can think about or discuss with your adviser.

Step 6 – Make your investment choice

Once you’re clear about your goals, risk profile and options, you can start thinking about which investment choices you’re ready to make. A financial adviser can help you choose the options that suit you.

You can also make an investment choice and review your investments in My AMP.

Simple super investment advice

If you’re an AMP Super member and would like advice about how your super’s invested, book a chat with one of our phone-based advisers.
Call 131 267 to book

Step 7 - Reviewing your choices

An annual review of your investment choices is usually worthwhile. This is because personal preferences, financial situations and long-term goals tend to change over time, meaning your investment strategy should be reviewed and adjusted to meet your new needs.