About your statement guide to your benefit statement 2008-09

Each year you will receive a MilitarySuper Member Statement providing you with details of your benefits in the Scheme and the investment performance of the Fund. You can view a copy of your latest Benefit Statement at the Member Services Online section of the website. You will need an Access Number to use Member Services Online. If you do not already have an Access Number, call us on 1300 006 727 and we will provide you with one over the phone.

The ‘About Your Statement Guide’ is designed to assist you to better understand your MilitarySuper benefits should be read in conjunction with your annual Benefit Statement. The following four About Your Statement Guides are available:

If you need more information about your MilitarySuper Membership, please contact us on 1300 006 727. All enquiries should quote your reference number.

Investment performance

The table below shows average and (in brackets) compound annual returns for each of MilitarySuper’s five investment options since inception and over the last three, five and ten year periods.

This statement of longer-term returns does not reflect your personal returns as credited to your account. It reflects long term returns at the investment option level in which funded benefit components are invested. Your personal account returns are dependent on your chosen investment option and are reflected separately in your Annual Statement.

It is important to remember that for most members superannuation is a long term investment and a super fund’s investment performance will fluctuate from year to year. Like most Australian superannuation funds MilitarySuper was negatively impacted by the extreme downturn in domestic and global investment markets during 2008/09 as a result of the global financial crisis.

The Board’s investment strategy, however, remains based on economic activity driving long-term wealth creation. As such, over the longer-term your retirement savings will grow, but there will be periods along the way where occasional negative returns are experienced. This is a natural and recognised feature of investment markets.

You should be aware that past performance is not a reliable predictor of future performance, but long term historical data can be useful in assessing the relevance of current year returns to your long term retirement savings goals.

Average returns (compounded average annual returns)
Option	1 Year	3 Years	5 Years	10 Years	Since inception
Cash	4.3%	5.2% (5.2%)	5.1% (5.1%)	N/A	5.0% (5.0%)
Conservative	-5.3%	2.3% (2.1%)	4.8% (4.7%)	N/A	5.4% (5.2%)
Balanced	-10.3%	0.9% (0.4%)	5.8% (5.4%)	N/A	7.2% (6.8%)
Growth	-13.0%	0.2% (-0.5%)	5.7% (5.0%)	4.9% (4.3%)	6.2% (6.0%)
High Growth	-20.0%	-2.5% (-3.6%)	5.0% (3.8%)	(N/A)	7.3% (6.2%)

(*Average returns represent a simple arithmetic average of a series of returns generated over a period of time. Compound annual return represents the cumulative effect that a series of gains or losses have on an original amount of capital over a period of time.)

Due to timing of valuation of assets the net asset value used to determine unit prices at 30 June 2009 differs from the net asset value reflected in the Scheme’s financial statements and disclosed in the above returns. This is as a result of a material valuation received in August 2009 but which was effective 30 June 2009. In accordance with the Board’s unit pricing policy the valuation was reflected in unit prices from the time of receipt in August 2009.

You are encouraged to read and keep your Annual Statement and to review the Annual Fund Report which provides further information about MilitarySuper’s investment performance and scheme operations during 2008/09. The report is available on this website. If you would prefer to receive a printed copy of this report please contact MilitarySuper’s Contact Centre on 1300 006 727.