Your Sustainable Balanced investment choice
Our Sustainable Balanced investment plan has been available for GESB Super, West State Super and Retirement Income Allocated Pension members since September 2023.
This plan enhances our whole-of-portfolio approach to responsible investing and gives members the option to invest their super with a greater focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.
Members can switch into this plan at any time, if they choose. Find out how to switch.
About the Sustainable Balanced plan
We’ve introduced the Sustainable Balanced plan to support our approach to responsible investing, which considers ESG factors across the whole portfolio and throughout the entire investment process.
This is a Readymade plan which invests in a range of asset classes that are selected to meet stricter ESG criteria. It also places greater emphasis on exclusions.
This plan is managed by a single investment manager, Pendal. The exclusions applied by Pendal are an extension of those applied across our whole portfolio.
The Sustainable Balanced plan might be a suitable investment plan for you if you want to invest with a focus on ESG considerations by managing exposure to certain industries and can accept a high level of fluctuation in investment returns from year to year.
Fees and more information
For details on plan investment objectives, fees and risk information, read our Significant Event Notice.
Watch our webinar recording
Watch our webinar about the option, which was recorded in September 2023. You'll need to register to access the video, but it should only take a moment.
What the Sustainable Balanced plan invests in
The Sustainable Balanced option invests in Australian and International Shares, Australian and International listed Property, Australian and International Fixed Interest, Cash and Alternative investments.
The ESG criteria adopted by Pendal may result in some industry sectors, companies or issuers being excluded from the portfolio. These ESG criteria and exclusions apply to investments within Australian and International shares, Australian and International Fixed Interest, and Alternatives. They do not currently apply to Property and Cash.
The use of exclusions means the Sustainable Balanced investment plan manages exposure to companies and issuers with significant involvement in activities considered by Pendal to negatively impact the environment or society.
Exclusions and ESG criteria are applied differently across these asset classes.
Examples
Within the International Shares asset class, the plan utilises a range of different strategies. One strategy adopted is a global impact fund which using the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals as an investment lens.
Within the Alternatives asset class, the plan has a number of investments including a portfolio of listed infrastructure investments with an emphasis on operating infrastructure assets in wind and solar alongside exposure to other diversifying sectors.
Within the Australian Fixed Interest asset class, there will typically be a greater focus on green bonds, social bonds and sustainable bonds. These are the result of incorporating sustainable and ethical criteria into security and credit analysis.
ESG criteria and exclusions
For more information about the ESG criteria and exclusions applied to the GESB Super or West State Super Sustainable Balanced plans, read our Investment choice brochure.
For more about the exclusions and ESG criteria applied to the Retirement Income Allocated Pension Sustainable Balanced plan, read the Retirement Income Pension Product Information Booklet.
You can also view a full list of what the Sustainable Balanced plan invests in.
How to switch to the Sustainable Balanced plan
Before making any changes to your investment plan, we recommend that you consult a suitably qualified financial adviser.
Once you’re sure you would like to change your plan, you can switch online through Member Online.
How to change investment plans
We’re here to help
If you have any questions, we’re available on 13 43 72, Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm (AWST), or via Live chat
More information
- Read our Significant Event Notice about the new investment plan
- See frequently asked questions about the Sustainable Balanced plan
- Download our Product Information Booklets
- Get help finding a financial adviser
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Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 27 April 2024.