I worked in the superannuation industry for a while. I wouldn’t say that super is exactly a scam but it’s a terrible mess and the fees we pay on super in Australia are insane. Basically we have a lot of parasites taking a cut and that ends up making the standard funds poor investments. Median returns on the super funds are around 5.6% pa (over the last ten years for the standard “balanced” option) at a time when stock market tracking funds have appreciated by over 8% pa. A lot of that is being lost in inefficiencies and fees.
By comparison Americans with a 401k invested in the NASDAQ would have made 17.3% pa over the same period.
We’re getting a terrible deal with superannuation, and for many it’s the difference between retiring comfortably or retiring in poverty.
Where do you suggest people invest their long term money to avoid the scourge of coke bros? If one is to believe the stereotypes, real estate and non-Super investments seem just as likely to face the same problems.
Can you elaborate on super being its own scam?
I worked in the superannuation industry for a while. I wouldn’t say that super is exactly a scam but it’s a terrible mess and the fees we pay on super in Australia are insane. Basically we have a lot of parasites taking a cut and that ends up making the standard funds poor investments. Median returns on the super funds are around 5.6% pa (over the last ten years for the standard “balanced” option) at a time when stock market tracking funds have appreciated by over 8% pa. A lot of that is being lost in inefficiencies and fees.
By comparison Americans with a 401k invested in the NASDAQ would have made 17.3% pa over the same period.
We’re getting a terrible deal with superannuation, and for many it’s the difference between retiring comfortably or retiring in poverty.
Are you comparing a balanced option against a 100% stocks option? That’s hardly a fair comparison.
It’s a fair point but my intention was to bracket the possible returns.
Cherry picking an article seems to suggest the US has similar problems https://www.investmentzen.com/blog/average-401k-return
Australia’s superannuation has improved over time. For example, the MySuper reforns led to consolidation and an exodus of underperforming funds.
A quick search on some of the biggest super funds in Aus shows returns of > 9% in a more equivalent, potentially volatile “high growth” fund.
There are funds that offer lower cost index-tracking products if that’s your thing.
The biggest problem, IMO, is financial literacy which needs to play a bigger role in education.
Government mandated coke-fuelled gambling parties for investment bro’s
Where do you suggest people invest their long term money to avoid the scourge of coke bros? If one is to believe the stereotypes, real estate and non-Super investments seem just as likely to face the same problems.