Has your super fund been hit by US Tariff turmoil?
What to do if your superannuation retirement fund has taken a hit

What to do if your superannuation retirement fund has taken a hit
As global trade tensions build and U.S. tariffs continue to shift the economic landscape, many Australians are left wondering how these developments might affect their superannuation savings. With market volatility at the forefront of discussions and uncertainties looming, it’s natural to be concerned about the future of your retirement fund. But should you be worried, and more importantly, what can you do about it?
How could US tariffs affect my super?
The ripple effects of U.S. tariffs extend far beyond the U.S. and into global markets, including Australia. These tariffs are essentially taxes on goods imported into the U.S. and have the potential to create inflationary pressure worldwide. For Australian superannuation funds, this means higher costs for businesses and consumers, especially in industries that rely on imported goods.
In the short term, tariffs often contribute to market volatility. When trade tensions escalate, stock prices fluctuate, which can directly affect the value of your superannuation—especially if your fund is heavily invested in global equities. Australian super funds that have exposure to international markets could see the impact of these global shifts on their performance.
If there’s one thing the current market volatility shows us, it’s that trying to predict short-term movements can be a futile exercise. Overreacting to market swings or making drastic changes to your super investment strategy out of fear could hurt your retirement savings in the long run.
Stay calm and focus on the long term
“It’s important to keep a calm and level head when it comes to super,” says Canstar’s Data Insights Director, Sally Tindall. “While millions of super balances will have taken a decent hit this week, when it comes to your retirement balance it can be helpful to remember you’re playing a long game, not a short one.”
By all means, size up how your super account has been performing against the rest of the pack—it’s a good idea to do this at least once a year—but when you do, make sure you look at the big picture, focus on your end goal and ideally keep the panic button in the bottom drawer.”
Superannuation is a long-term investment, and while global tariffs and other economic disruptions may cause short-term fluctuations, the market has historically shown a tendency to recover over time. Trust in your super fund’s long-term strategy and consider consulting a financial adviser if you’re unsure about how to navigate current conditions.
While you may not have control over the way global markets react, there are steps you can take to help shield your super from potential losses caused by external forces like these.
Don’t panic, get proactive—how can you protect your superannuation?
Here are a few practical steps to consider when thinking about protecting your superannuation during times of market volatility.
1. Consider increasing your contributions
It might seem counterintuitive to increase voluntary super contributions during a time of market uncertainty, but doing so can be an effective way to build your super and counteract potential losses. By making regular contributions to your super fund, you can take advantage of dollar-cost averaging—a strategy that involves investing a fixed amount at regular intervals. This means you’re buying into your super fund both when markets are up and when they’re down, helping to smooth out the impact of volatility over time.
Additionally, increasing your contributions could also benefit from the tax advantages that come with super. Contributions made to your super fund are generally taxed at a lower rate (15% at the time of writing) than your regular income, which could mean more of your earnings are being put to work for your future.
Compare Superannuation with Canstar
The table below displays some of the superannuation funds currently available on Canstar’s database for Australians aged 30 to 39 with a super balance of up to $55,000. The results shown are sorted by Star Rating (highest to lowest) and then by 5 year return (highest to lowest). Performance figures shown reflect net investment performance, i.e. net of investment tax, investment management fees and the applicable administration fees based on an account balance of $50,000. To learn more about performance information, click here. Consider the Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the TMD. Use Canstar’s superannuation comparison selector to view a wider range of super funds. Canstar may earn a fee for referrals.



- Performance, fee and other information displayed in the table has been updated from time to time since the rating date and may not reflect the products as rated.
- The performance and fee information shown in the table is for the investment option used by Canstar in rating of the superannuation product.
- Performance information shown is for the historical periods up to 31/05/2024 and investment options noted in the table information.
- Performance figures shown reflect net investment performance, i.e. net of investment tax, investment management fees and the applicable administration fees based on an account balance of $50,000. To learn more about performance information, click here.
- Performance data may not be available for some products. This is indicated in the tables by a note referring the user to the product provider, or by no performance information being shown.
- Please note that all information about performance returns is historical. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance; unit prices and the value of your investment may fall as well as rise.
- Any advice on this page is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this general financial advice is right for your personal circumstances. You may need financial advice from a qualified adviser. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances. See our Detailed Disclosure.
- Not all superannuation funds in the market are listed, and the list above may not include all features relevant to you. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances.
- Canstar may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from Sponsorship or Promotion of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and Sponsorship or Promotion may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship or Promotion fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored or Promotion products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored or Promotion products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored or Promoted product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. For more information please see How We Get Paid.
- Click here for additional important notes and liability disclaimer.
Performance and Investment Allocation Differences
- Fee, performance and asset allocation information shown in the table above have been determined according to the investment profile in the Canstar Superannuation Star Ratings methodology.
- Some providers use different age groups for their investment profiles which may result in you being offered or being eligible for a different product to what is displayed in the table. See here for more details.
- Australian Retirement Trust Super Savings’ allocation of funds for investors aged 55-99 differ from Canstar’s methodology – see details here.
- The Australian Retirement Trust Super Savings (formerly Sunsuper for Life) product may appear in the table multiple times. While you will not be offered any single investment option, this is to take into account the different combinations of investment options Australian Retirement Trust may apply to your account based on your age. For more detail in relation to the Australian Retirement Trust (formerly SunSuper for Life) product please refer to the PDS issued by Australian Retirement Trust for this product.
- Investment profiles applied initially may change over time in line with an investor’s age. See the provider’s Product Disclosure Statement and TMD and in particular applicable age groups for more information about how providers determine their investment profiles.
2. Check your fund’s fees and performance
It’s important to remember that even when markets are volatile, high fees can still chip away at your returns. With super funds, small fees can compound over time, eroding your retirement savings. Now is a good time to check if your fund’s fees are competitive, particularly if you’re concerned about market losses.
Don’t be afraid to shop around for a super fund with lower fees or strong long-term performance. Such factors are things to consider when reviewing your super, and tools like Canstar’s Superannuation comparison table can help you assess the performance and cost of different super funds.
3. Consider diversification
Diversification is one of the fundamental strategies for protecting your super from external shocks. A well-diversified super fund may spread investments across various asset classes—such as shares, property, cash, and bonds—as well as across different geographical regions. This way, if one market suffers, your super may be less exposed to significant losses.
If your super fund is heavily invested in international equities, including those from the U.S. or China, you may look at diversifying into other regions or sectors that are less impacted by trade tensions. By ensuring your super is spread across a range of asset types, you reduce the risk of large losses during market downturns caused by external factors. If you are considering diversifying your fund’s investment portfolio, it’s worth considering professional advice from a licensed financial advisor and speaking to your superfund.
4. Seek financial advice
As with any investment, it can be a good idea to discuss your personal situation with a professional financial advisor. As a first step, speaking with your existing superfund or a licensed financial advisor about any changes you may wish to make to your fund could be helpful in answering any queries you have. Superannuation funds often provide low, no-fee, or commission-free advice to members on a variety of subjects. These include:
- Understanding your super’s performance during market volatility
- Providing advice on investment options (e.g., from growth to conservative funds)
- Consolidating accounts if you have multiple super funds.
Alternatively, a financial advisor’s fees will generally vary based on the type of advice you want. If you’re not sure where to start, asking for a copy of their Financial Services Guide (FSG) is a good way to compare fees between different financial advisors before engaging their services.
How to check your super balance
Checking your super is relatively easy, and it’s an essential step in managing your retirement savings. Here’s how you can check and monitor your super account balance:
1. Log in to your super fund’s online portal
Most superannuation funds now offer online portals where you can access your account information anytime. Simply visit your fund’s website, log in using your credentials, and you should be able to view important details about your super, including:
- Account balance: The total amount currently in your super account.
- Investment performance: The return on your investment, typically broken down by asset class (e.g., equities, bonds, cash)
- Contributions: A record of employer and voluntary contributions made to your super.
- Fees: Any administrative or investment fees deducted from your account.
If you don’t have login details for your super account, most funds will allow you to register online or you can contact their customer service team for assistance.
2. Use the ATO’s online services
If you’re not sure which super fund you’re with, or you’ve lost track of any previous accounts, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can help. Through myGov, you can link to the ATO’s online services and search for any unclaimed superannuation. The ATO will also show you where your super is currently held and whether you have multiple accounts.
To get started:
- Create or log into your myGov account
- Link to the ATO services
- Search for your superannuation accounts and view any lost super.
This is a great way to ensure all your super accounts are consolidated, reducing unnecessary fees from multiple accounts and giving you a clearer picture of your total retirement savings.
3. Speak with your super fund provider
If you want a deeper understanding of your super’s performance or need help with making adjustments, contacting your super fund directly is always an option. As discussed above, they can provide guidance on how your fund is performing, explain any changes in investment strategies, and may offer financial advice to suit your current circumstances.
4. Set Up Regular Monitoring Alerts
Many super funds also offer email or SMS alerts, which allow you to track the performance of your super fund. You can set up these alerts to notify you of changes in your account balance, performance reports, or even if there are opportunities for you to review your super (e.g., fee changes or new investment options).
Staying informed on a regular basis can help you make timely decisions, especially if you’re concerned about how external factors—like U.S. tariffs or other global shifts—are impacting your super fund.
Checking your superannuation account is an easy and essential step in managing your retirement savings. By regularly monitoring your account balance, reviewing investment performance, and staying informed about your fund’s fees, you can ensure that your super is working hard for you. Taking an active role in managing your superannuation will help you feel more confident, even during times of market uncertainty. If you’re considering switching funds, compare super funds with Canstar.
Cover image source: Vectors Bang/Shutterstock.com
This article was reviewed by our GM, Research Joshua Sale before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.

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