Superannuation Funds. Is Hostplus good?

EveryLastCent on 15/07/2024 - 12:24
Last edited 15/07/2024 - 12:25

Sequel to my previous forum post on SMSF.
Thank you to everyone that chimed in my previous post on SMSFs. A lot of very good advice there.
After running numbers with all variables I am seriously considering switching to Hostplus instead of creating a SMSF. A lot of the advice seemed to lean that way.
Hostplus appears to have the lowest administration and investment fees for the investments I am looking at.
Are there ozbargainers with Hostplus than can give a review/comment/experience/tips on their satisfaction with fund.
Thank you in advance.

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Comments

  • Mechz on 15/07/2024 - 12:47
    +22

    *Past performance does not dictate future outcomes.

    • SlickMick on 16/07/2024 - 10:39
      +17

      Past fees are pretty indicative of future fees.

      Investing in passive index trackers you'd be pretty safe in assuming results from different funds would be similar.

      • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:21

        Exactly my thinking.
        And index trackers would also be very similar to the index ETFs that I would be looking at in a SMSF.

    • Brianqpr on 18/07/2024 - 11:01

      Of course that's true because markets rise and fall, but that fund has been a consistent top performer against peers for many years. I'd say that is a pretty good indicator.

    • arcticmonkey on 19/07/2024 - 04:29

      I lost thousands of dollars when I couldn't access my HostPlus account for many weeks. Many others did too.

      I would run as far away as you can.

      Look at the hostplus reviews:
      https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/hostplus
      https://g.co/kgs/ecZf5Bo

      • EveryLastCent on 19/07/2024 - 08:12
        +1

        Yes the reviews are not good. But the same applies for all other super funds.
        If you go by the reviews you would run away from all of them!
        Can I ask you what happened when you couldn't access your account?
        Wouldn't you be entitled to some sort of recourse/compensation from Hostplus if you referred the matter to AFCA?

      • brad1-8tsi on 23/07/2024 - 17:41
        +1

        Describe how you lost thousands of dollars.

  • jv on 15/07/2024 - 12:54
    +9

    *Past Performance Is Not Indicative Of Future Results

    • Porker on 15/07/2024 - 15:08
      +1

      How come this comment is negged so heavily where others with the same response are not?

      Is it just because of who said it? :\

      • jv on 15/07/2024 - 15:11
        +9

        How come this comment is negged so heavily where others with the same response are not?

        Some people can't handle the truth.

        • freefall101 on 15/07/2024 - 16:12
          +5

          We live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with bolding

          • jv on 15/07/2024 - 16:13
            +2

            @freefall101:

            guarded by men

            he/him

            • freefall101 on 15/07/2024 - 16:16

              @jv: Ever put your life in another person's hands and asked them to put their life in yours?

              I only just realised how gendered Jessup's spiel is.

          • azonki on 16/07/2024 - 08:24
            -2

            @freefall101: Receding hair lines?????

        • jollibot on 16/07/2024 - 09:19
          +6

          You weren't helpful.

        • Mad Max on 16/07/2024 - 20:13

          Just wondering what you are doing on ozbargain?

        • Wort on 17/07/2024 - 09:11
          +2

          Hostplus is associated with the hospitality industry, not hospitals. So I'd say you've been very helpful

      • lechuck123 on 17/07/2024 - 08:53
        +2

        Because the reason Hostplus is often said to be one of the better funds is their low fees for their Australia and International index funds. This is what OP was looking at doing with their own SMSF, so it is probably a pretty like-for-like comparison with an Index ETF option.

        The above is true if OP was looking at last years Hostplus Highgrowth or balanced options and basing their assessment on that… but they weren't doing that

  • jv on 15/07/2024 - 12:55
    -4

    Hostplus appears to have the lowest administration and investment fees for the investments

    *Lowest fees Is Not Indicative Of Future Results

  • theHMASfriendship on 15/07/2024 - 13:03
    +1

    *Not future results of performance is past indicative

  • askbargain on 15/07/2024 - 13:06
    -4

    diversify your super funds

    *not financial advice

    • Mechz on 15/07/2024 - 13:08

      As in, have more than 1? Or diversify your investment ratios?

  • Ghost47 on 15/07/2024 - 13:09
    -1

    Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Maybe you should run the numbers again, if you’re confident in your investing abilities a SMSF could be good for you.

    • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:29
      +1

      I wouldn't be stock picking. If I want to do that with a few thousands I would do that outside super.
      I would be investing in the index options australian shares, international shares and cash.
      Same in a SMSF using index ETFs
      Doi g it in a SMSF the savings compared to Hosplus are so small that don't justify the time and effort to run a SMSF.
      Hostplus fees are very competitive.

      • Ghost47 on 16/07/2024 - 20:59
        -3

        You can probably buy property in an SMSF as opposed to an industry fund. That would skyrocket your returns.

        • freekay on 16/07/2024 - 23:37

          Also, high yield Mercedes-Benz purchases

        • EveryLastCent on 17/07/2024 - 10:41
          +2

          Property has already skyrocketed.
          I wonder how long it can keep skyrocketing. I guess as long as supply is low because of huge increases in construction costs and demand is high because of huge increase in immigration.
          Personally not looking at property investment in super.

        • MrMarket on 17/07/2024 - 14:48

          Properties is not a good hold in retirement for passive income, yield too low, no franking credits
          and sudden repair cost and tenant headaches will drive up your blood pressure in retirement.

          • Hangryuman on 17/07/2024 - 15:24

            @MrMarket: yair in retirement I'd like to dump my non-performing investment property since capital growth has stalled for the last few years and it would benefit from major renovation I don't have the spare energy to do

            except the capital gains tax (CGT) on the sale would be like 1/4 of the sale price, leaving me with more difficult choices on where to store the net funds as I have no handy low-tax avenues available.

        • Brianqpr on 18/07/2024 - 11:05

          Yeah, I deal with AFCA disputes and we've had to pay out many large compensation settlements due to financial advisers advising people to open SMSFs and buy property. I'm talking disastrous outcomes compared with just leaving their super where it was originally.

          Also there's nothing like audited annual SMSF financial statements to really show the many costs involved in holding investment property. Beautifully itemised.

          Sydney is the most successful property market in Australia. Long term (30 years) prices have risen around 6% per year, which doesn't account for costs such as borrowing, insurance, maintenance, time untenanted, agent fees etc, etc, etc. Rental yield maybe 3% (before any tax)? So even in the boom times of the last 30 years in Australia's strongest market it isn't outperforming decent balanced funds and has a whole lot more complexity, is less liquid and zero diversification.

  • Mad Max on 15/07/2024 - 13:11
    -1

    Past performance can be evaluated on reported numbers. Future no one knows.

  • soan papdi on 15/07/2024 - 13:38
    +4

    They're a good performer.They have been good so far. As an alternative to SMSF, you can look at ChoicePlus within HostPlus, to directly invest your funds as you see fit.

  • sumyungguy on 15/07/2024 - 13:41

    Edit: tapping out, I'm not with Hostplus

  • c64 on 15/07/2024 - 13:43

    can anyone tell me how quickly investment changes are effected? is it same day if done early?

    • jv on 15/07/2024 - 16:16

      can anyone tell me how quickly investment changes are effected?

      Yes, someone would be able to tell you that.

  • EveryLastCent on 15/07/2024 - 14:00
    +1

    I am more after how their customer service is. Are staff answering the phones helpful and knowledgeable?
    Do request for changes or withdrawals get acted upon quickly and efficiently or do you have to ring them 4 times and get 3 different answers?

    • askbargain on 15/07/2024 - 14:14
      +12

      yikes, how often do you call your super

      • EveryLastCent on 15/07/2024 - 14:20

        Many young-ish people never call their super. Many don't even know how it is invested.
        Others try to maximise their investment and/or make extra contribution, so they need to call their super for advice, confirmation, etc
        When you get to retirement you have a lot more questions and interaction with your super fund.
        That's when a knowledgeable and helpful custome assistance service becomes very important.

        • Mechz on 15/07/2024 - 15:21
          +13

          Why don't you call them a few times to see if they can answer your questions that are probably in the FAQ on their website?

          • EveryLastCent on 15/07/2024 - 16:46
            +2

            @Mechz: Funny you say that. I actually did with Hostplus today. Just to check…
            It was about id requirements to open a pension account.
            Their PDS says 1 certified copy of document (ie driver's licence) is required. That's it.
            The customer service operator when I called told me: certified copy of driver's licence PLUS certified copy of Medicare card PLUS copy of bank account statement. Total 3 documents.
            Not happy with the discrepancy I then went on the online chat and the operator replied that no id was required to open a pension account!!!
            I copied and pasted in the online chat the relevant section of PDS and the operator said that if that's what the PDS says that must be correct!!!!!
            So 3 sources of info and 3 different responses.
            Doesn't give much confidence.

            • c64 on 15/07/2024 - 18:34
              +3

              @EveryLastCent: why don't you open a pension account online and see what they ask for. you don't need to have a balance or transfer anything in

              • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:31
                -1

                @c64: I like to have everything I can think sorted out before I pull the trigger.

              • Antikythera on 17/07/2024 - 17:59

                @c64: you can open a TAB account online without any ID.
                you just need to provide ID later to withdraw winnings.

                might be the same for Super? quick to start but require ID later when it becomes relevant.

                • EveryLastCent on 19/07/2024 - 08:14

                  @Antikythera: Yes, no problem at all when they take your money. But when you want your money back it is a big deal and they have all sort or requirements and hoops to jump through. Typical.

      • Nebargains on 17/07/2024 - 09:02
        +2

        My thoughts too, in 20 years with the same fund I have never contacted them by phone, email, chat, nothing. Granted someone closer to retirement may have more reason to contact their fund or reasons, I can't imagine customer service being such a high priority when choosing a fund.

    • RiseAndRuin on 15/07/2024 - 17:41
      +2

      You can make any changes to your investment by logging into your account, they should take effect within 2 business days. No need to call them at all, but it's easy to contact support through the online chat.

    • Eeples on 17/07/2024 - 03:10

      Withdrawals?

  • dtc on 15/07/2024 - 16:57
    +4

    So all those saying 'past performance blah blah' have no idea that you are talking about either indexed single sector option or choiceplus. In which case there is no active management (option 1) or the only active management is yours (option 2).

    There is a good thread on Whirlpool ('superannuation general discussion' under the finance lounge) and also a specific Hostplus thread (a bit less active). Go there and get some proper feedback.

    • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:32

      Thanks. Very interesting. There are 19 pages of comments on the thread you mention!
      So much to learn.

    • idonotknowwhy on 17/07/2024 - 09:28
      +1

      Does WP have a way to view the entire thread in a single page? (I want to send the link to an LLM to summarize it lol)

      • dtc on 17/07/2024 - 18:04

        click 'archive version' at the bottom. However long threads are broken into pages automatically; so you might go from 300 pages to 12 or 15

  • Iwantthebestprice on 15/07/2024 - 18:00
    +9

    I’m with Hostplus, have been great to deal with. Good app, whenever I call I speak to someone in less then 5 mins every time. They always provide helpful emails and tips. I can choose via the app my investment strategies and diversify between risk, all pretty straight forward. My partner is with Australian super and he will change to host plus as lower fees and Hostplus has had a better return. I did some research over the past couple years and not many beat Hostplus.
    Also it’s an industry super fund, so if those pesky ads on TV are anything to go by you should always be with an industry super fund.

    And for everyone saying blah blah past returns does not indicate blah blah, the OP knows that he clearly is asking for reviews of the company not if they can guarantee 10% returns. Don’t comment for the sake of commenting to sound like you know what your talking about.

    Edit* been with Hostplus for 10 years now and every couple years review fees, insurance and returns and Hostplus is always up there

    • sumyungguy on 15/07/2024 - 19:07
      +2

      Barefoot Investor claims to be with Hostplus but reminds his readers to do their own comparison. I considered switching but found their fees for the options I'm seeking aren't that low, bettered by Australian and UniSuper and that's just the first two funds I chose to compare. Nor did Hostplus returns compensate for the higher fees.

      • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:35
        +3

        Barefoot investor seems to have some commercial relationship with Hostplus, so of course they would promote Hostplus.
        That's not necessarily a negative point though.

      • idonotknowwhy on 17/07/2024 - 09:26
        +5

        Barefoot Investor claims to be with Hostplus

        It's really worth pointing out that you need to choose one of the "Index fund' options though. I've met several people who "heard from a mate that barefoot said to go with Hostplus", and they just have the default higher fee managed portfolio option setup.

    • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:36

      Thanks Iwantthebestprice.
      Exactly the feedback I am after. Cheers

  • prisonmike on 15/07/2024 - 20:12

    Put all your money on #8*.
    * not a financial advice.

    • Antikythera on 17/07/2024 - 18:04

      #8 in the last at Randwick?
      or #8 Black at the casino?
      or #8 Pink at Casino dogs?

  • saver6969 on 15/07/2024 - 21:53
    +1

    I've used choiceplus for a while now. It's as easy to use as any online broker. I don't recall it being difficult to setup and have never had to call them. I'm many years away from drawing a pension. The main downside is you can only have 80% in choiceplus listed assets, the rest has to be choiceplus cash or their pooled investment options.

    • Antikythera on 17/07/2024 - 18:12

      I was looking at a similar product that allowed International securities as well as ASX ones. they limited each individual security to 10% of the total. do similar limits apply to Choiceplus?

      in regards to OPs question. I've been in the host plus "balanced" option for 20+ years and only in the last few years paid more attention. I've moved into lower fee Index fund options and also opted for more international share exposure with now only 30% in the Australian share index fund.

      • saver6969 on 21/07/2024 - 14:26

        I just hold ETFs listed on the ASX. Can have up to 50% of your balance in each. I assume this % is smaller for individual shares.

  • megadeth on 15/07/2024 - 23:54
    +1

    They're the default fund for my employer. Think they're the 2nd biggest after AustralianSuper compared by 'funds under management' but are less than half the size of AustralianSuper.

    • sumyungguy on 16/07/2024 - 00:43
      +2

      Hostplus ranks no.6 but size isn't everything

  • SydneySwan on 16/07/2024 - 08:04
    +4

    I have been with HostPlus since 2005. Low fees and very good returns. I have stayed with the Balanced option all that time. Mrs SS is also with HostPlus having moved from the disaster that was First State Super (now called Aware) in 2017. One of the cygnets is also with HostPlus and the other is with UniSuper which is also very good.

    HostPlus admin is usually very good. There has been the odd mistake but these have been in areas which fell outside their core admin areas, for example, processing the inward transfer of a UK pension fund and was soon rectified.

    • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:41

      Thanks for the feedback.
      If you are in the Balanced option check the investment fees. Not the lowest.
      My thinking is to create my own balanced option with a mix of Index Australian Shares, Index International Shares and Cash. The fees on those are extremely low.
      The percentage of each depends on how risky or long term your outlook is.
      I am thinking may be 35%, 35% and 30% respectively.
      If you are younger you may want to have the first 2 higher and less cash.

      • SydneySwan on 16/07/2024 - 20:47

        The balanced option suits me as I wanted simplicity. The fees are not the lowest but the performance has been outstanding.

  • leigh8904 on 16/07/2024 - 08:24
    +1

    I am with HostPlus, have been for about 5 years. I think I have only called them twice, once before joining, and once to understand better how the DRP works in ChoicePlus. Both times they were helpful. Regarding the DRP question, the call centre agent openly conceded they did not know the answer, but referred me on to a more knowledgeable person who did.

    I only invest in passive index options: up to the full 80% in the direct ChoicePlus service (using index ETFs), and the remainder in pooled index option.

    I have not reached withdrawal stage, so cannot comment on that.

    Overall I am happy with HostPlus, it does what is says on the tin.

    • KaitoKid1412 on 17/07/2024 - 00:12

      How does DRP work? It just goes back into the portfolio right?

      • leigh8904 on 17/07/2024 - 08:31

        Yes. If you subscribe to DRP within ChoicePlus, it works how you would expect, except for one factor.

        If you hold ETFs in your own name, if there is any amount left over from the dividend when purchasing new shares in the DRP (note you can only acquire an integer number of shares), the residue amount is just held in a DRP cash account by the ETF provider until the next dividend. At the next dividend, the residue cash account balance and the new dividend are added together to determine how many DRP shares you get next time. However in ChoicePlus it does not work like this. Any dividend residue amount is just paid out to your ChoicePlus cash account, and does not get included in the future DRP calculation..

        • KaitoKid1412 on 17/07/2024 - 14:03

          Thank you, clear explanation

        • Hangryuman on 17/07/2024 - 15:28

          yair but you still need to include DRP dividends in your income tax return - it's not like you can just forget about them

          and if you don't track the annual change in capital base cost - each DRP dividend adds to your capital base but from a different year, it could be a nightmare of small calculations to try to work out capital gains tax for multiple small increments for multiple years on eventual sale.

  • Jac33au on 16/07/2024 - 08:44
    +1

    I'm with them and so far, they've been the best performing super for me. But as everyone says, it doesn't mean they won't tank it in the future. It's also a lot to do with how you split your money across the different risk profiles.

    As for customer service, they've been great so far. You can do almost everything you'll ever need online or in the app.

    Hostplus is the superfund featured on r/ausfinance recently where some bloke has his entire super balance rolled over and stolen with just an online form. The hack started with his ATO account.

    • EveryLastCent on 16/07/2024 - 20:46

      Yeah, you never know how companies will change.
      Usually they change for the worse.
      QSuper used to be great. Now they have supposedly "improved the customer experience and outcome" by joining ART and they have become s#!t.
      It would be interesting to see if ATO will take some responsibility since the hack started there.
      I wouldn't hold my breath!

    • idonotknowwhy on 17/07/2024 - 09:24

      so far, they've been the best performing super for me

      Most people under 40 would say that their current fund is the best performing right, because the market had done well since covid.

      • Jac33au on 18/07/2024 - 08:39

        Yeah that a fair call. I'm over 40. I'm numbers driven so I review my super, banks etc probably every other year on average. Host plus would be my 6th super company. I honestly think its probably more to do with the risk profile you choose in your split. I would say probably 95% of people never change from the default, never change their insurance and almost never review their providers.

        • EveryLastCent on 19/07/2024 - 08:18

          I would say probably 95% of people never change from the default

          Yes, and the default option is always the most expensive. Even Hostplus in the Balanced option has 1% fees.

  • dlakers3peat on 16/07/2024 - 23:27
    +1

    All these people who say hostplus is good, how do you know? What is you super balance and your age? How has the fund performed over last 5-10 years? What super fund strategies are you using.
    I am with unisuper and for me they have been great. Extremely high returns with a sustainable high growth and growth strategy investment split 50/50. I have over 635k in super and I am in my late forties.

    • Eeples on 17/07/2024 - 03:17

      Some super funds offer indexed investment options. These are typically have very low fees. Does Unisuper offer indexed investment options?

    • SydneySwan on 17/07/2024 - 08:09
      +2

      I have been with HostPlus for 19 years so I know that they have been excellent for me. The Balanced fund is first v competition over the 10, 15 and 20 year time periods. My super balance is a multiple of yours and I am in my 60s. I have stuck with the same investment strategy throughout and have always salary sacrificed to the maximum.

    • leigh8904 on 17/07/2024 - 09:02
      +2

      I have been with HostPlus about 5 years, mid 50s, so decent sized balance.
      Purely use passive indexing investments in HostPlus (20% Index Balanced, 80% ChoicePlus in Vanguard and iShares index ETFs).
      The main benefits for me are: low cost passive approach, ChoicePlus only has fixed fee (no % based fee), ChoicePlus component allows to eliminate unrealised CGT liability when converting to pension phase.
      I do not have any insurance inside HostPlus, and have not got to withdrawal stage, so don't know how they go here.

    • idonotknowwhy on 17/07/2024 - 09:23

      That's a pretty good balance.
      How''d you do it? Public service, high salaries, voluntary contributions, or all three?

    • SteveBuscemi on 17/07/2024 - 10:24
      +3

      Yours, mine, and everyone's circumstances and mileage m̶a̶y̶ will vary. Past performance is not a reliable blah blah blah.

      They're not just delivering on the short term, although they've been quite good at that. Hostplus's Balanced, Indexed Balanced, Australian Shares, Conservative Balanced, and Growth (Shares Plus) products have all been top 5 or top 10 performers in their respective categories over the past 5 years.

      Hostplus's average 10 year return to Dec 2023 on Balanced was 8.3% pa, easily ranking #1 in the market ahead of Unisuper Balanced (#4) and Hostplus Indexed Balanced (#10), the only super fund to have two products in the top 10.

      They can't be #1 for all needs, but by the general-advice-one-size-fits-all metrics we do have, they certainly count as "good".

      I have found their product mix to make them an easy recommendation for many circumstances, but would agree that many younger people should be targeting a higher growth product than Balanced.

      For several years I neglected paying much attention to my super (including a few years overseas/self-employed with 0 contributions) and have had to work hard to get it back on track. I'm only 40 but my super balance is now ~275% of what it was at age 35, and a mix of Hostplus Indexed Balanced + Shares Plus + High Growth and some healthy contributions on my end has performed well for me.

      • EveryLastCent on 17/07/2024 - 10:53

        If you are in a high income tax bracket and if you can afford to lock the cash away until you are 60, it is worth to always maximise your voluntary contribution. This year it is $30k. Keep in mind that includes employer's compulsory contributions.

        • inertia8 on 22/07/2024 - 10:10

          And don't forget carryover concessional contributions to catchup if you have not contributed to the full cap in any previous 5yrs (you can see this on ato site via myGov)

  • freekay on 16/07/2024 - 23:44
    +7

    The thing about super fund ratings is that they don't really matter if you're using your own investment mix. In terms of performance/value, the only differentiator would be the fees charged by each fund.

    Now if you REALLY want to start splitting hairs and dig deeper, other considerations that will vary from fund to fund include:
    - Customer Service
    - Insurance options/costs
    - Self service portals and ease of use
    - Reporting frequency
    - Time taken to process requests
    - Trustee determination over things such as release of super and beneficiaries upon death

    Source:
    I used to work for a super fund administrator

    • EveryLastCent on 17/07/2024 - 10:57

      Exactly! Spot on! I would upvote your comment 10 times if I could.

      Now if you REALLY want to start splitting hairs

      I do 🤣.
      Customer service becomes really important when you retire and you have to deal with them more often.
      Insurance not so much in my case. Unless you still have debt like a mortgage on retirement.

      • freekay on 17/07/2024 - 11:35
        +2

        In terms of customer service, I would recommend:
        REST
        HostPlus
        AustralianSuper

        But the best thing you can do is call up, ask a set of standard questions about how they administer your account and gauge for yourself how well the interaction went.

  • idonotknowwhy on 17/07/2024 - 09:21

    The APP is good. Easy to manage the protfolio, don't have to jump through hoops and specifically use Chrome like CareSuper used to do.

    Don't just go with them because some mate read a book like Barefoot Investor and said "Go with ING and Hostplus" without understanding it though lol.

  • MrMarket on 17/07/2024 - 09:51

    Here is some recent infor on hostplus

    https://www.afr.com/wealth/superannuation/super-giant-is-com…

    Industry superannuation fund Hostplus has handed down one of the worst annual returns in the sector for its default product, but says it is “very comfortable” with its performance and its long-term investment plan remains on track.

    The fund’s MySuper balanced option grew by just 7.6 per cent for the 2023–24 financial year. Rivals clocked returns in the double digits as global technology stocks fuelled soaring equity prices.

    • EveryLastCent on 17/07/2024 - 11:00

      Interesting, but subscriber only article.
      Any chance you can copy and paste it here, if you have access please?

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