Self Managed Superannuation Funds and the Bear Market of 2007-2008

In this paper, we examine the bear market performance of self managed superannuation funds(SMSFs). Previous studies have highlighted some problems with the portfolio construction ofSMSFs. This provides a rationale for examining the performance of SMSFs during the recentbear market. Based on data from two independent samples of a total of 141 self managedsuperannuation funds, two archetype SMSF portfolios are constructed in order to generateinsights into the average performance of the funds in the samples. The performance of thesefunds is compared with (1) the unmanaged market index; and (2) the average returnsgenerated by retail (balanced) superannuation funds. Interestingly, whilst the SMSFs havegenerated negative returns and problems with the portfolio construction remain, the relativeperformance of the overall portfolios vis-à-vis the market index and professionally managedfunds is reasonably favourable. However, the equity portions of the SMSF portfolios sufferfrom under-diversification and could be more efficiently constructed.