The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's latest edition of Super Trends for the December quarter shows an increase of total super assets of 3.3%, leaving assets standing at $565.9 billion. Super contributions rose by 1.7% to $14.8 billion, with employers contributing $9.3 billion and members contributing $5.5 billion for the quarter.  

Lump sum payments dropped 12.5% and pension payments experienced an increase of 7.3% – leading to an overall decrease in benefit payments of 7.9% over the quarter.

All fund types had increases throughout the quarter, with small funds experiencing the highest growth of 8.1%.  But retail funds continue to hold the largest share of superannuation assets, accounting for about 34% of the total.