Self-Managed Super Fund Performance

2020-2021 Research Findings 

Published April 2023

By using SMSF financial statement data and a calculation methodology which is directly comparable with the way APRA calculates returns for APRA regulated funds, we are able make performance comparisons between self-managed super funds and APRA funds.

To conduct this annual research, the SMSF Association has once again engaged the University of Adelaide to examine the overall financial performance of self-managed super funds (SMSFs) compared to APRA-regulated funds.

This research contributes to the existing evidence on the strong financial performance of the SMSF sector.

It extends the research completed by the University of Adelaide for the 2017–19 period, and again shows SMSFs perform on par with, or better than, APRA funds in some financial years.

View the full report and findings below.

2020-2021 RESEARCH

Academic Report

Download the report

2020-2021 RESEARCH

Fact Sheet: Key Observations

Download the Fact Sheet

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2022 RESEARCH

About the SMSF Association

The SMSF Association is the leading authoritative voice for the self managed superannuation (SMSF) fund sector, established to improve the quality of advisors, the knowledge of trustees and the credibility and health of a vibrant SMSF community. 

The Association’s core beliefs embrace every Australian having the right to a good quality of life in retirement and having the right to control their own destiny.