Australia's superannuation assets rose 2 per cent to $1.28 trillion over the 12 months to 30 September 2011, despite a dip in assets from the industry superannuation fund sector, industry estimates showed.
The figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) found total estimated assets, which include the assets of self-managed super funds and the balance of life office statutory funds, grew by $25 billion to $1.28 trillion.
The annual increase occurred despite a September quarter decrease in total assets of 3.8 per cent, or $49.9 billion.
APRA data found that during the September quarter, the assets of industry funds fell 3.2 per cent, or $7.9 billion, to $241.9 billion.
Public sector funds' assets decreased over the three months by 3.6 per cent, or $7.2 billion, to $195.2 billion, retail funds by 4.8 per cent, $17.8 billion, to $351.8 billion and corporate funds 8.6 per cent, $5.1 billion, to $54.6 billion, the data said.
Contributions to funds with at least $50 million in assets over the September quarter were $20.6 billion, with employers contributing $16.3 billion and members adding $4.2 billion.
Other contributions, including spouse contributions and government co-contributions, totalled $135 million, the data showed.
During the same period, retail funds received 33.7 per cent, or $6.9 billion, of total contributions, public sector funds 32.1 per cent, or $6.6 billion, industry funds 29.4 per cent, $6.1 billion, and corporate funds 4.8 per cent, or $1.0 billion.
Retail funds received $2.1 billion of net rollovers and industry funds received $0.1 billion. Public sector and corporate funds recorded negative net rollovers of $0.8 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively.
The combined rate of return for the September quarter was -4.9 per cent. The rate of return for public sector funds was -4.2 per cent, industry funds -4.6 per cent, corporate funds -5.1 per cent and retail funds -5.4 per cent.
