Asset allocation is a significant factor in retirement investing. Research differs on exactly how much it contributes to overall returns, with some studies putting the figure as high as 90% and others suggesting around 70%, but the message for retirees is clear: how you divide your money across asset classes deserves careful attention.
What is asset allocation?
Asset allocation is how you allocate your investments across a range of different assets. If you had $100 and split that evenly between assets A, B, C and D, your asset allocation would look like this:
| Asset | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Asset A | 25% |
| Asset B | 25% |
| Asset C | 25% |
| Asset D | 25% |
For most investors and retirees, the asset classes they invest in will include equities, property, fixed income, cash, infrastructure and alternatives such as hedge funds and private equity.
Different asset classes have different risk and return properties and will usually be classified as either growth or defensive.
Growth assets are higher risk and have the potential for higher returns, but their values may be volatile in the short term. There is a general expectation that the underlying asset value will increase (grow) over time, although this is not guaranteed.
Growth assets include equities, property, infrastructure and some alternative assets, like private equity.
Defensive assets are lower risk and generally produce steadier, lower returns. The value of these assets will usually remain relatively unchanged over time, although the income produced from the asset can still vary.
Defensive assets include fixed income and cash.
Access practical, independent guides and checklists to help you run your fund with confidence with a free SuperGuide account.
Find out moreThe difference between asset allocation and diversification
Asset allocation is the decision about how much of your portfolio to put into each broad asset class, while diversification is the way you spread money within and across those asset classes so your portfolio is not overly dependent on one investment, sector or market.
By diversifying across a number of non-correlated assets, you are able to reduce the volatility of your portfolio.
For example, shares and investment-grade bonds are generally uncorrelated, and a correction in the equity market will (usually) not impact the fixed income market. Therefore, if your portfolio was invested across equities and fixed income (along with other assets), your fixed income investment could compensate for some of the loss in your equity investment during a share market fall.
This practice of considering diversification in portfolio construction is called Modern Portfolio Theory.
The importance of rebalancing
Self-managed super fund (SMSF) trustees are required to formulate and give effect to an investment strategy, and this would usually include their intended asset allocation.
But even if you don’t have an SMSF, it’s a good idea to create an investment strategy for any investment portfolio that lays out what percentage you intend to invest in each asset class.
An investment strategy is important as it keeps you on track.
Example asset allocation
| Asset class | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Equities | 0–70% |
| — Australian | 0–60% |
| — Global | 0–20% |
| Cash or fixed income | 0–20% |
| Property | 10% |
| — Listed property trusts | 5% |
| — Unlisted property trusts | 5% |
| Alternatives | 0–5% |
You will also need to rebalance your investments from time to time to bring them back into line with your stated asset allocation objectives. When a particular investment or asset class rises or falls in value, the proportion it represents in your portfolio will change.
For example, if the equity portion of your portfolio has risen in value, it may take up a much larger allocation of your overall investments than it was intended to. You may therefore need to sell down some shares and buy into other asset classes to rebalance your portfolio.
It’s important to review your portfolio and rebalance at least once a year if necessary. SMSF trustees are required to review their fund’s investment strategy regularly.
How to create the right asset allocation for you in 5 easy steps
Step 1: Understand your risk profile
Before you start considering your asset allocation, you need to have some understanding of your risk profile. If you’re unsure of your appetite for risk, understanding risk profiling and taking our risk profile quiz could help. It’s a very simple survey, but it should give you some idea of where you sit on the risk spectrum.
Step 2: Decide your growth and defensive split
Your risk comfort level will help you understand how much you should invest in growth assets, such as shares, and how much in defensive assets, like cash and fixed income. The allocation used by many large super funds as their ‘balanced’ and default investment option includes a 70% allocation to growth assets and a 30% allocation to defensive assets.
Here is a typical split between assets for a large super fund’s balanced option:
| Category | Asset class | Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | Australian Shares | 33% |
| Growth | International Shares | 27% |
| Growth | Property | 5% |
| Growth | Infrastructure & Private Equity | 5% |
| Growth total | 70% | |
| Defensive | Cash & Fixed Interest | 30% |
| Defensive total | 30% | |
Step 3: Factor in your life stage
You also need to consider your life stage. If you are already retired, then you will need to focus your investment strategy on assets that provide income. If you are still in the accumulation phase and some way off retirement, you will be able to invest more in growth assets because you have time to ride out the ups and downs of market cycles.
Step 4: Choose investments you can realistically research
Consider the time you have available to research potential investments and whether or not you will be able to comprehensively research individual companies. There are investments, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), that can take care of some of the legwork for you.
ETFs such as the BetaShares Australia 200 ETF and the SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Fund can give you exposure to the S&P/ASX 200 without requiring you to buy shares in each of the top 200 companies individually. Similarly, some global ETFs listed on the local exchange provide exposure to large international companies across markets such as Europe, the US and Asia.
Step 5: Document and revisit your allocation
SMSF trustees need to have a written investment strategy that is designed to meet the needs of all fund members.
If you don’t have an SMSF and aren’t required to have an investment strategy with your stated asset allocation, it is still a good idea to document your asset allocation and your reasons for it. It helps keep you accountable when tempting ‘sure-thing’ investments come up and also reminds you to rebalance on a regular basis.
The bottom line
If, as studies suggest, asset allocation is one of the most important factors in your portfolio’s performance, you need to sit down and give it the attention it deserves when developing an investment strategy.
Get more guides like this with a free account
Get independent guidance and practical tools to help you manage your SMSF confidently, stay compliant and make informed decisions as a trustee.
Trusted by 5,000+ members · Independent · Ad-free