Help & support
Superannuation may be one of the biggest and longest investments you hold. It's important to review how your super is invested as it may impact its performance over time. With Essential Super, you can choose to leave it up to the super experts at Colonial First State (CFS) by selecting the Lifestage option, or if you prefer to be more hands on, choose from a range of other investment options.
Want to know more about how investing in super works? This article helps break it down.
When you open an Essential Super account, your money is automatically invested in one of the Lifestage options, designed to adjust your investment mix as you age. This can also be referred to as a MySuper Lifecycle option. At a younger age, when you have more time until retirement, a greater portion of your super is invested in growth assets such as property and shares.
These assets can be more volatile but offer strong potential for higher long-term returns. As you approach retirement, your super automatically shifts towards defensive assets like cash and fixed interest. This helps protect your super balance from market volatility.
Manraj was born in 1998 and wants a hands-off approach to his super, so he chooses to leave the investing mix to the experts at CFS. This means he is invested in the Lifestage 1995-99 option. Since Manraj is a long way from retirement, his money is in a higher risk investment strategy as he has time to ride the waves of the volatile market. As he approaches retirement, CFS will gradually update his investment strategy to a lower risk one to help protect his returns gained over the years. With the Lifestage option, Manraj won't have to do anything except watch his super balance grow in the CommBank app.
If you prefer to be more hands-on with your super, you can choose to invest in one or more of Essential Super's other investment options. You can update your investment allocation anytime via the CommBank app.
Make sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement and Fees & Investments Reference Guide for Essential Super.
Diversified Index
This option invests in a mix of growth and defensive investments.
Balanced Index
This option invests mainly in growth assets, with some allocation to defensive investments.
High Growth Index
This option invests mainly in growth investments.
Thive+ Sustainable Growth
This option has environmental, social, and governance (ESG) screening, avoiding investments that have an adverse impact on the environment or society, like fossil fuels and gambling. This option is governed by the Thrive+ Sustainable Investment Charter.
Australian Shares Index
This option invests in company shares listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Global Shares Index
This option is generally invested in shares in companies which are listed on different overseas stock exchanges.
Global Property Securities Index
This option invests in securities which represent part-ownership in property (e.g., an office building, or shopping centre) or infrastructure (e.g., transport, communication or utilities).
Cash Deposit
This option is generally invested in bank bills or similar securities.
This greatly depends on your long-term goals, tolerance for risk and investment time horizon.
For example:
Comparing options and finding those which align with your personal circumstances is key.
Choosing the right super investment option starts with understanding your goals, comfort with risk, and investment timeframe.
Here are a few pointers to guide your decision:
Taking the time to compare options and understand what each offers can help you make a confident and informed choice that supports your financial future.
Before making a move, it’s important to understand how investing in super works and to consider your own investment goals and risk appetite. Each option should have its own Investment Fact Sheet which will show:
These insights can help you make a more informed and confident decision.
Open an account in around 3 minutes
Find out how to register for NetBank. Once you have registered for NetBank, you can apply for Essential Super online via the website, NetBank or the CommBank app.
Send a message in the CommBank app or call 13 2221, 8am – 8pm (Syd/Melb time). Need to reset your login? Search FAQs.
Call CFS on 13 4074, 8:30am - 6pm (Syd/Melb time), Mon-Fri or +61 2 9197 3000 from overseas. Email CFS at [email protected].
Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (referred to as Colonial First State, CFS, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’) is the Trustee of Essential Super ABN 56 601 925 435 and the issuer of interests in Essential Super. Essential Super is distributed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank). The CFS Group consists of Superannuation and Investments HoldCo Pty Limited ABN 64 644 660 882 (HoldCo) and its subsidiaries, which includes CFS. The Bank holds an interest in the CFS Group through its significant minority interest in HoldCo.
This information is issued by CFS and may include general financial product advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances, and so you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your circumstances before acting on it. The Target Market Determination (TMD) for Essential Super can be found at cfs.com.au/tmd and includes a description of who the financial product is appropriate for and any conditions on how the product can be distributed to customers. You should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Reference Guides for Essential Super carefully and consider whether the information is appropriate for you before making any decision regarding this product. Download the PDS and Reference Guides at commbank.com.au/essentialsuper-documents or call us on 13 4074 for a copy.
None of the Bank, HoldCo, CFS, nor any of their respective subsidiaries guarantee the performance of Essential Super or the repayment of capital by Essential Super. An investment in this product is subject to risk, loss of income and capital invested. An investment in Essential Super is via a superannuation trust and is therefore not an investment in, deposit with or other liability of the Bank or its subsidiaries.
The insurance provider is AIA Australia Limited ABN 79 004 837 861, AFSL 230043 (AIA Australia). AIA Australia is not part of the Commonwealth Bank Group or CFS. Insurance cover is provided to eligible members of Essential Super under policies issued to CFS.
Please refer to the Group Privacy Statement and the CFS Privacy Policy for more information about how your personal information is collected, used and shared.
