My future, my way
Superannuation products are issued by our wholly owned subsidiary Bendigo Superannuation Pty Ltd.
Set up & manage my account
It's easy to get started; make the most of your super.
How is my super performing
Insurance in my super
Tools to help you manage your super and keep your details up to date.
Insurance through super explained
Want your employer to pay your super into your SmartStart Super account? Follow these simple steps.
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1Download our Fund Nomination Form
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2Complete your details
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3Return the completed form to your employer
Hands-off approach: Bendigo MySuper investment option (default option)
Bendigo MySuper is the default investment option when you don't make an investment choice upon joining Bendigo SmartStart Super. You can also select Bendigo MySuper as your preferred investment option.
It has three age-based investment options (you can view the Product Dashboard for each option by clicking the link below):
- under age 55: Bendigo Growth Index Fund;
- age 55 to 59: Bendigo Balanced Index Fund; or
- age 60 and over: Bendigo Conservative Index Fund.
Your account is automatically allocated to the appropriate investment option based on your age. This means your investment risk automatically reduces as you get older and get closer to retirement.
If you no longer wish to be invested in the Bendigo MySuper investment option, you can make an investment switch at any time by logging on to your secure online account.
Hands-on approach: Choose your investment option
You can choose to invest in a range of investment options, including a socially responsible option as well as a cash option:
- Bendigo Defensive Wholesale Fund
- Bendigo Defensive Index Fund
- Bendigo Conservative Wholesale Fund
- Bendigo Conservative Index Fund
- Bendigo Balanced Wholesale Fund
- Bendigo Balanced Index Fund
- Bendigo Growth Wholesale Fund
- Bendigo Growth Index Fund
- Bendigo High Growth Wholesale Fund
- Bendigo High Growth Index Fund
- Bendigo Socially Responsible Growth Fund
- Sandhurst Strategic Income Fund (class B units)
- Cash account
2023 Annual Superannuation Performance Test results
Our announcement provides details on which Bendigo Super investment options did not pass the performance test, along with a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand our results.
Investment strategies
An investment strategy is what guides your investment decisions. It is based on your future income or capital needs, how long you want to invest for, and how much risk you can live with.
Investing in super (2:32 minutes)
Super is a long-term investment helping you fund your retirement. So how it's invested today can have a big impact on how much income you'll have to live on when you retire. By taking a few minutes to review your situation, you're making an investment in your future. First up, it's important to understand your investment strategy and the important role it plays when making an investment choice that works for you. Think about what you want your super to achieve for your age, the level of risk you're willing to take and how long you'll be investing for. Most super funds will let you choose from a range of different investment options. The type of options available will vary with many being diversified managed funds. Investment options are typically made up of a mix of different assets. These can range from low risk like cash and fixed interest through to high risk like Australian and international shares.
When deciding, it's important to choose the option that's right for you. Remember that higher risk options are likely to experience more volatile returns over the short term, but they usually achieve higher returns over the long term. And lower risk options usually provide lower returns over the long term that are less volatile.
If your fund is a MySuper fund, you may also have access to a life cycle investment strategy. This option is sometimes known as an age-based strategy and is designed to change with you. It does this by automatically changing your investment mix as you age, moving you from higher risk investments, aiming for higher returns when you are younger, to more stable conservative investments as you get closer to retirement. This option means you don't have to choose a particular investment yourself. You choose to invest in the strategy instead and all the work is done for you.
Understanding all the investment options available in super can be overwhelming, which is why we built an education hub to help build your knowledge. You'll find lots of educational articles, including managed funds explained and risk versus return. If you'd like more information on how to choose a super fund, our wealth concierge team can give you complementary general advice or refer you to a financial planner for personal advice. To get in touch, make an online inquiry through our website or drop in and see us at your local Bendigo bank branch. Or if you already have a financial planner, you can simply contact them and ask for some personal advice.
Long-term investment returns
Each Bendigo MySuper life stage investment fund has delivered a strong long-term return over 10 years^
- Under age 55 - Bendigo Growth Index Fund 6.72% p.a.
- Age 55 to 59 - Bendigo Balanced Index Fund 5.53% p.a.
- Age 60 and over - Bendigo Conservative Index Fund 4.31% p.a.
Key performance links
Not sure what's best for you? Our wealth specialists can help.
Insurance in my super
1. How can I check what cover I have?
You can view your existing cover at any time via Bendigo SmartStart Online. If you don’t have access that’s okay, you can use the link to register as well. Alternatively, our Client Services team is available on 1800 033 426 if you prefer to speak to someone directly.
2. Do I automatically receive cover when I join, and can I change it?
You may be eligible for default insurance upon joining, provided you satisfy the eligibility criteria and conditions. You can reduce the amount of cover you have, or if you feel that you may require more cover you can apply for tailored cover.
Read our insurance in super fact sheet and insurance guide and product disclosure statements to learn more about the types of insurance cover available in super. To apply for insurance cover in your super, complete he insurance application and personal health statement form.
3. Can I transfer my existing cover from another super fund?
If you have insurance cover in another super fund, you can apply to transfer this across to your Bendigo super account by completing an insurance transfer form. Be particularly careful if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are aged 60 or over, as this may affect your eligibility for new cover.
4. What if I don’t want or need any insurance cover?
You can decline to have insurance cover when you join or cancel cover at any time by completing the insurance cancellation form. If you change your mind and want cover later, you will have to re-apply a complete additional health checks. Insurance premiums will stop being deducted from your account after you cancel your cover, and you will no longer be able to make an insurance claim.
Our wealth specialists are available to provide you with general advice or refer you on to a financial planner who will be able to provide tailored advice to suit your needs. You can arrange a complimentary consultation by completing an online enquiry or asking in person at your local Bendigo Bank branch.
Relevant links
Need to make a claim from your super?
Planning for retirement? Learn more about our retirement income strategy.
Superannuation tools and resources
Tips to grow your super
It may seem like forever before you can get your hands on your super. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Here are our top tips on how to grow your super.
The market and your super
Learn more about market volatility and how it plays an important role in building long term growth for your super investment.
Start planning for retirement today
Whatever your retirement goals look like, we are here to help you reach them. With a little planning today, you can be financially prepared for retirement.
Read our latest super news
Important information
Need to talk to us?
Enquire online
Send us an online enquiry if you have any questions.
Phone
Call us today between 8am and 6pm (AEST/AEDT)
At a branch
Find your nearest Bendigo Bank branch
Things you should know
^ Performance figures are as at 30 September 2023 and calculated net of investment fees and costs and estimated tax, but exclude administration fees, insurance premiums, advice fees and other member activity fees. Estimated investment tax rates have been applied, based on assumed returns and estimate asset class allocations of the investment option. Past performance is not an indication of future performance.
Bendigo Superannuation
Bendigo Superannuation Pty Ltd ABN 23 644 620 128 AFSL 534006 (Bendigo Super) is the trustee and issuer of Bendigo SmartStart Super and Bendigo SmartStart Pension (products). Bendigo Super is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879 (Bank). Each of these companies receives remuneration on the issue of the products or services they provide, full details of which are contained in the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Bendigo Super, the Bank and its related entities do not guarantee the repayment of capital invested, the payment of income or products’ investment performance. An investment in these products does not represent a deposit with, or liability of Bendigo Super, the Bank or its related entities. The Bank does not stand behind or guarantee the performance of Bendigo Super in its capacity as trustee and issuer of the products. Bendigo Super is not an authorised deposit-taking institution within the meaning of the Banking Act 1959.
Information on the website is subject to change without notice. Any advice in relation to superannuation is provided by Bendigo Super. The information contains general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before making an investment decision in relation to these products you should consider your situation and read the relevant PDS accessible through this site.
This webpage may contain links to external websites. Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Super are not responsible for the accuracy and content of these websites. The information is the responsibility of the site owners. These links are provided for convenience and information purposes only.
On 27 September 2023, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd announced it had signed an agreement to sell Bendigo Superannuation Pty Ltd
