Mercer Super delivers fourth consecutive year of double-digit returns for members
MELBOURNE, 3 July, 2026 - Mercer Super, a part of Mercer, a business of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), has today announced that Mercer SmartPath, the fund’s default investment option, has delivered a fourth consecutive year of double-digit returns.
Mercer SmartPath has returned 10.0% to 10.6%1 for the 2025/26 financial year across age-based cohorts for members aged between 18 and 52.
Despite market volatility, geopolitical headwinds and global economic uncertainty, the fund is delivering for members and showcasing the importance of well-diversified portfolios.
Graeme Miller, Mercer Super’s Chief Investment Officer said the performance of the fund is anchored in its long-term strategy of building portfolio resilience with investments across many countries, industries and asset classes.
“Our investment strategy, underpinned by Mercer’s global investment perspective and insights, has steered a steady course for our one million members, during a period of significant economic and geopolitical volatility. We continue to have confidence in our investment strategy and long-term position.
“During a time when we’re seeing dampened consumer sentiment with cost-of-living pressures and inflation, our members can take confidence in the steady hand we have consistently applied to market changes.
“We continue to strengthen our portfolio resilience through increased liquidity management. Looking ahead, we are seeking to access the most reliable sources of return, economic growth and corporate profits along with further diversification opportunities, with a particular focus on global unlisted property and private equity,” Mr Miller said.
Mercer SmartPath is a lifecycle default product, which gradually reduces risk exposure as members age. This seeks to shield superannuation savings from market volatility for those closer to retirement. Members’ returns will therefore depend on the Mercer SmartPath option they are invested in.
Mercer Super has reported that over the 10-year period to 30 June 2026 returns for default members aged between 18 and 52 were between 8.8% p.a. and 9.1% p.a. 2
1 Based on the one-year return to 30 June 2026 after investment fees and taxes. Returns will vary across age-based cohorts for members aged 18 and 52 due to the timing of cash flows and tax positions per cohort. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance.
2 As at 30 June 2026. Returns are annualised, after investment fees and taxes, and will vary across age-based cohorts for members aged 18 and 52 due to the timing of cash flows and tax positions per cohort. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. Among age-based cohorts for members aged 18-52, Mercer SmartPath - Born 2004-2008 has not yet reached 10 years since inception and does not have 10 years of performance history.
About Mercer
Issued by Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (MSAL) ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence #235906, the trustee of the Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 (‘Mercer Super’).
Any advice provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice we recommend you obtain your own financial advice and consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide available at mercersuper.com.au. The product’s Target Market Determination setting out the class of people for whom the product may be suitable can be found at mercersuper.com.au/tmd.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of an investment in Mercer Super may rise and fall from time to time. The investment performance, earnings or return of capital invested are not guaranteed.
‘MERCER’ and ‘Mercer SmartPath’ are Australian registered trademarks of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917. ©2026 Marsh. All rights reserved.