Volatility on global financial markets has pushed the superannuation savings of Australians backwards.
Industry experts say the market falls have wiped 2.1 per cent off the average "balanced" super fund during January, while "growth" funds fell by 2.3 per cent.
SuperRatings founder Jeff Bresnahan said super funds had fallen for four consecutive months, meaning returns for the financial year to date were down by nearly one per cent.
That result is far below the 6.9 per cent year-to-date growth enjoyed by balanced super funds in January 2015.
"With further volatility also experienced in February, concerns exist as to whether markets will bounce back sufficiently to achieve a positive result by the end of the financial year," Mr Bresnahan said on Thursday.
Financial markets suffered heavy falls in January amid worries about the slowdown in China's economy and how that might affect growth around the world.
But Chant West director Warren Chant urged investors not to panic about plunging share markets as "growth" funds typically hold about 55 per cent of their assets in listed stocks.
"We're in a period of low growth and high volatility and this could last for some time," he said.
"However, we encourage super fund members to remain patient and not to panic."
During January, industry super funds saw their returns fall by two per cent, while retail funds lost 2.6 per cent.
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