Super returns are subdued in the current environment, according to figures produced by research group SuperRatings. However returns have improved in recent months compared to the whole year.

The average balanced fund returned 3.65 per cent in July, 3.87 per cent in the last three months and 3.08 per cent over the 12 months to August.

Interestingly, the performance of balanced options was better than for growth funds over the year to August. Balanced options returned 3.08 per cent while growth funds returned only 2.33 for that period.

Growth funds, however, performed better over one and three months.

As the following chart shows, balanced funds have performed strongly in the years following the global financial crisis.

It also demonstrates that over time, balanced funds have outperformed growth funds with only the Australian share index outperforming balanced options.

All this suggests that for many people, sticking with balanced options might be a better option than choosing more aggressive stances.