Going global: Unlocking the growth potential of Australian pension capital
REPORT

Going global: Unlocking the growth potential of Australian pension capital

clock

23.02.2025 - 11:14

Capital MarketsSuperannuation

In partnership with IFM Investors and Super Members Council, Mandala has developed a landmark report highlighting the growing contribution that Australia’s retirement savings and pension system has on investments globally. Australia has one of the world’s largest pools of retirement savings with the country’s pension assets totalling approximately US$2.8 trillion. Australian pension funds are forecast to invest trillions of dollars in international markets by 2035 as they scour the globe to deliver the best investment returns for their millions of members, with the US coming out as the top investment destination. According to this new report, Australian pension fund investment in the US is expected to more than double over the next decade - from US$400 billion to over US$1 trillion.

Australia has built one of the world’s most successful pension systems. The country’s pension assets total approximately US$2.8 trillion, making it one of the largest and fastest growing pools of retirement savings in the world. 

As the system has grown and matured, Australian pension funds have been increasingly investing in international markets to help diversify their portfolios, manage risks and deliver healthy long-term returns for their members. Large institutional pension funds are now investing nearly half their assets in international markets, with nearly US$800 billion currently invested outside of Australia. 

This report sets out what that may mean over the next decade as the pool of retirement savings continues to grow and as funds continue to look globally for the best investment opportunities. International investments have already increased 2.6 times since 2014. Based on existing trends, this report forecasts that Australian pension funds will have over US$2.6 trillion invested outside of Australia by 2035. As the world’s largest and most dynamic economy, the US is expected to be the top destination for this investment. Over the next decade, total investment in the US is expected to more than double from US$0.4 trillion to US$1 trillion.

Most of the current investment in the US is in equities and bonds, although Australian pension funds, led by the large ‘industry’ or ‘profit-to-member’ funds, already have significant investments in US infrastructure, real estate, and private equity. These funds have decades of expertise in infrastructure and other private markets, and have established themselves as valuable investment partners, providing a critical supply of long-term and value-adding capital.

This report sets out estimates of Australian pension funds’ current global and US exposures in these private markets and looks at the opportunity to expand and accelerate investment over the next decade. 

Based on existing trends, Australian pension fund investments in US private markets are expected to grow from US$50 billion today to US$140 billion by 2035. However, with deeper collaboration and partnerships between Australian pension funds and US governments, investors, and other stakeholders, this could be US$240 billion or more. That would see, for example, Australian pension fund investment in American infrastructure increasing from US$20 billion today to US$110 billion, across roads, ports and logistics, data centres, energy, telecommunications networks and more. 

The opportunity is clear: forging stronger partnerships between Australian pension funds and US partners has the potential to deliver healthy returns for Australian workers and help drive US growth, jobs, and infrastructure.

Read the full report here.

Read our latest posts

Shock Resistant
Workforce

Shock Resistant

Shock Resistant outlines novel insights into the ways that platform workers in the US used platform work as a strategy for mitigating the impacts of the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

2 Jul, 2025

AI in Australia Economic Blueprint
Technology

AI in Australia Economic Blueprint

OpenAI’s Economic Blueprint outlines how Australia can harness artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly boost economic prosperity, enhance public services, and position itself as a leader for AI in the Indo-Pacific region.

30 Jun, 2025

The economic and strategic importance of multi-metals processing
Critical minerals

The economic and strategic importance of multi-metals processing

Mandala was commissioned by Nyrstar to provide an independent summary of the significance of lead and zinc refining in Australia. This report finds that Australia’s existing capabilities are a gateway to domestic critical minerals processing, but fundamental shifts in the global industrial policy landscape are undermining Australia’s current and future processing capabilities.

27 May, 2025

Reducing out-of-pocket costs for Australian healthcare consumers
Health

Reducing out-of-pocket costs for Australian healthcare consumers

In partnership with Private Healthcare Australia (PHA), our latest report reveals the increasing strain of out-of-pocket healthcare costs on Australian consumers. Without urgent action, these costs could reach $1.6 billion by 2030, driven by limited competition, lack of price transparency, and weak consumer protections. Costs have already surged 12% in the past year, and 330,000 Australians are expected to delay care due to affordability concerns. Transparent pricing and stronger protections could save consumers millions. Read our full analysis to understand the challenges—and the solutions—that could make healthcare more accessible for all.

27 Mar, 2025

Loading...