Every investment has different risks
Super funds can invest in a range of different assets like the Australian share market, global shares, cash, fixed interest, infrastructure, property, and private equity.
Some investments tend to fluctuate in value more than others.
- Growth assets (including shares, property and infrastructure) usually have a higher level of volatility than defensive assets, and their values can change from day-to-day (sometimes by quite a lot). However, over the longer-term, growth assets have more potential for higher returns than defensive assets.
- Defensive assets (including cash and fixed interest) are less volatile than growth assets, and their overall return potential is also lower.
The charts below help show the relationship between risk and return.
Chart 1 - Monthly returns over 20 years shows that Australian shares (a growth asset) can be much more volatile with greater ups and downs, and therefore involve greater risk of loss than Australian fixed interest and cash (defensive
assets) over the shorter-term.
Chart 2 - Growth of $1,000 investment over 20 years shows that shares have outperformed these defensive assets over the longer -term.
Note: These charts are illustrative only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns may vary considerably over time. The value of investments may go up or down and you may not get back the amount you invested. These returns don't take into account management fees or taxation. Benchmark indices have been used in these charts to measure performance of various asset classes.
Super investment choices
When you open a super account, you have a choice about how you’d like your super to be invested. This includes having the super fund make the investment decisions for you - called MySuper or deciding on your own investment mix.
- The AMP MySuper Lifestage option changes your asset allocation through time. Younger investors will have a strategy that focuses on growth because they have a while to go before their retirement, and can afford to take more risk. On the flip side, investors who are closer to retirement, will have more of a focus more on preserving their super balance and reducing risk, while also keeping some exposure to growth assets.
- 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.
Learn more about your AMP super investment choices
Risk when choosing your own super investments
As your super investments may be your main source of savings for retirement, it’s important to understand how investment risk plays a role and how you feel about it.
You should consider getting advice from a qualified financial adviser before choosing your investment option(s) to make sure your investments are right for you.
You can also consider these three things:
- Your investment goals: Are they short-term or long-term goals? How much will you need?
- Your timeframe: When do you want to retire? If you’ve already retired, how long will your money last?
- Your attitude to risk: Are you comfortable with negative returns in the shorter-term when seeking higher returns over the longer-term? Or, are you more comfortable with moderate and consistent returns? While it’s not a substitute for advice, you can get an idea about your attitude to risk via our risk profiler tool.
Also remember that an annual review of your investment choices is worthwhile because it’s likely your personal situation and answers to the above points will change over time. And, as these change, you should check your investment strategy and adjust the mix to meet your new needs where required. Remember, your investment mix can make a big difference to the amount of income you’ll receive in retirement.
Speak to a super coach
If you’re an AMP super member and want to know more about your super, book a 20-minute super coaching session, at no extra cost.
What investor style am I ?
Our What investor style am I? tool help you to understand the investment style that is appropriate for you.
Learn moreYour attitude to risk
Everybody has different investment goals, timeframes and attitudes to risk which will probably change overtime, depending on their circumstances and life stage.
To help decide what type of investor you are, you may like to talk to a financial adviser. The AMP investor style risk simulator is a quick way to help you work out your investment style and what types of investments you might like to consider.
How your attitude to risk can help with your investment strategy
Working with an adviser, you can use your risk profile to determine an investment strategy and work out which investments to make. For example, if you have a conservative profile, then your investments might look something like this:
Conservative
This investment style suits investors who need to access their money within 3 years. Or, those looking for stable investments and are prepared to accept lower returns to achieve this.
A conservative portfolio typically invests in 70% defensive assets (e.g. cash) and 30% growth assets (e.g. shares).
Whereas if your profile is moderately aggressive, your investments might look like this:
Moderately aggressive
This investment style suits those looking for moderate to high returns predominantly from capital growth by investing across all asset types, but with a substantially higher exposure to growth assets.
Investors are prepared to accept higher volatility and medium risks to achieve these returns.
A moderately aggressive portfolio typically holds 15% defensive assets (e.g. cash) and 85% growth assets (e.g. shares).
These examples are illustrative only.
Once you invest according to your risk profile, your target mix won’t change unless you change it. You can also have your investments regularly rebalanced to make sure your investment mix stays on target.
Types of risk
Another thing to keep in mind is that there are different types of risks to consider when investing. Here are some main ones:
- Investment risk – the value of investments can rise and fall.
- Inflation risk – Your money may lose its purchasing power with inflation. When prices go up, your investment also needs to go up by at least the rate of inflation or the real value of your investment will decline. Learn more
- Legislative risk – the laws that affect your super or investments can change.
- Timing risk – your investments may be bought or sold at an unfavourable time in the market.
- Market risk – changes in market conditions which may adversely impact your investments.
- Systemic risk – major movements across several asset classes, or to the entire system simultaneously. This is generally due to some event affecting the economic system, eg global financial crisis.
- Liquidity risk – the risk that an investment can’t be sold without incurring a loss relative to its fair value. Understand liquidity
- Interest rate risk – changes in the level of interest rates may impact the value of an investment.
- International investment risk – the value of your investment may be impacted by changes in the foreign exchange rate and the law, regulations and political environment of the country where the investment is located.
- Individual asset class risk - each type of market, also known as an asset class, has its own risks. Learn more in your investment guide
- Single asset class risk – the risk of investing in only one type of asset (like shares), rather than spreading the risk across different asset classes (known as diversification).
You can learn more about these risks in your investment guide.
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.
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.
Super investment FAQs
Making an investment choice for your super
30 September 2021 | Super Here’s a step-by-step approach to making an investment choice for your super, so you can feel more informed and in control. Read more
How investment market volatility affects your super
31 March 2020 | Grow my wealth Most working Australians are investors in the share market through their super. Find out how investment / share-market volatility affect your super with AMP. Read more
10 Ways to Boost Your Super
01 July 2024 | Super Check out what you could do while you’re still earning an income and have time on your side, noting not everyone will be eligible for the government’s Age Pension when they retire. Read moreWhat you need to know
This information is general only, hasn’t taken your circumstances into account, and is provided by AWM Services Pty Ltd ABN 15 139 353 496 (AWM Services), which is part of the AMP group (AMP).
Products in the AMP Super Fund are issued by N.M. Superannuation Proprietary Limited (N.M. Super) ABN 31 008 428 322 (trustee), which is part of the AMP group (AMP). Before deciding what’s right for you, it’s important to consider your particular circumstances and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, Terms and Conditions and Target Market Determination available from AMP at amp.com.au or by calling 131 267. Read AMP’s Financial Services Guide for information about our services, including the fees and other benefits that AMP companies and their representatives may receive in relation to products and services provided to you.
The super coaching session is a super health check and is provided by AWM Services and is general advice only. It does not consider your personal circumstances.
Simple Super (Intrafund) advice is provided by AWM Services Limited (AWM Services) ABN 15 139 353 496, AFS Licence No. 366121 (AWMS) to eligible members of the AMP Super Fund. AWM Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMP.