How market volatility affects your super
Investment markets have been highly volatile following tariff announcements in the US. Many of our members are keen to understand what this means, how UniSuper is responding and the impacts on their super—we know it can be uncomfortable seeing your account balance fluctuate.
Our team have put together some helpful resources to keep you informed. Remember that superannuation is a long-term investment; many people have time on their side to ride out negative market movements.
Investment update with John Pearce – May 2025
Chief Investment Officer John Pearce reflects on the impact of US tariff announcements, where we’ve got to, and what may come next.
Understanding market volatility
Thinking about the future of your super
Resources and insights to help you make informed decisions and navigate market fluctuations.
Investment options and performance
With UniSuper, you have the flexibility to select one or more options, choose from seven pre-mixed options and nine sector-specific options, each with different strategies and risk profiles.
Glossary of investment terms
Our investment glossary defines some of the key terms and concepts that you may not be familiar with in the world of investing.
What happens when markets fluctuate – ask an adviser
We chatted to financial adviser, Derek Gascoigne about navigating your options when markets are up and down.
Frequently asked questions
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Why has my super balance gone down?
Many of our investment options invest across a range of asset classes, including shares, property, infrastructure and others. The value of these investments may fluctuate over time, and this can have an impact on your superannuation balance.
In times of volatility, depending on the options you’re invested in, you might see larger changes in your balance than usual—but the ups and downs of financial markets are a normal part of investing.
Listen and subscribe to our investments podcast to keep up to date with what’s happening in markets.
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What are the best investment options to be in right now?
It depends on your own circumstances, what’s right for one person may not be right for another. Key considerations include how long you expect to be invested for and how comfortable you are seeing fluctuations in your balance.
Most UniSuper members have the flexibility to select from a range of investment options. Each option has a different risk profile and time horizon. Learn more about our investment options and important things to consider when making an investment choice.
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Should I be changing investment options?
While it can be tempting to switch your investments when markets are down, there are risks.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, if you have the right strategy you may want to stick to it and stay the course. If you think it’s time to review your strategy, be sure to make an informed decision, look at the range of options we offer and seek advice if you need it.
See our investment options summaries for more information.
To learn more, read our article Market downturns and the risks of switching.
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When will markets recover?
It’s difficult to predict when recoveries in markets will occur, they can be very sudden and unexpected. This is why timing the market can be difficult even for experienced investors. It’s often said that it’s your ‘time in the market’ that gives you the best chance of long-term returns.
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Where can I get financial advice?
Before making any decisions, we suggest you seek licenced financial advice or speak to a UniSuper adviser 1.
If you’re a UniSuper member, you can receive limited personal advice on your UniSuper investments at no extra cost. Our superannuation consultants on-campus and at our Member Centres can also have a general chat with you about investing in super.
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Things you need to know
1 UniSuper Advice super consultants can give you information and tell you what is generally recommended for our members. This advice will be of a general nature only and will not take into account your personal circumstances.
UniSuper Advice is operated by UniSuper Management Pty Ltd ABN 91 006 961 799 (USM), which is licensed to provide financial product advice. USM is also the administrator of the fund UniSuper ABN 91 385 943 850 (UniSuper). UniSuper Limited ABN 54 006 027 121 is the trustee of UniSuper.The information on this webpage is of a general nature. It is not intended as financial advice and doesn't take into account your personal circumstances. Read our How we invest your money document (PDF, 1.27 MB) for more information about our investment options and what they invest in. We recommend you seek financial advice before making any decisions about your super and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) on our website.