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Asb vs Smartshares
Side-by-side KiwiSaver data — fees, 5-year returns, fund options, members, AUM. Sourced from FMA Disclose and provider PDS.
Last updated: 2026-05-09
General Information Only: This page provides factual data for comparison purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances vary.Read our disclosure
Why Asb and Smartshares differ
The most material structural difference between ASB and Smartshares is fund range breadth and scheme architecture. ASB operates a single scheme with 6 funds, while Smartshares administers three separate KiwiSaver schemes — SuperLife, QuayStreet, and JMI Wealth — spanning 65 funds in total, giving people contributing to KiwiSaver considerably more choice across risk profiles, asset classes, and investment philosophies.
On fees, ASB's average annual fee of 0.575% sits meaningfully below Smartshares' average of 0.81%, though Smartshares' lowest-cost option, the SuperLife Default Fund at 0.30%, undercuts ASB's lowest fee of 0.35% on its NZ Cash Fund. Fee comparisons across the full range are difficult given the wide dispersion within Smartshares' 65-fund lineup.
Smartshares reports a higher average five-year return of 5.49% versus ASB's 4.28%, though fund-mix differences make a direct like-for-like comparison unreliable — a provider with more growth-oriented funds will naturally post a higher aggregate average. Neither provider's snapshot includes a five-year return figure for their individually highlighted top funds, so granular performance comparison at that level is not possible from this data.
ASB holds significantly greater scale, with $20.3 billion in assets under management and 520,526 members, compared to Smartshares' $3.3 billion AUM and 149,617 members. Scale can influence operational efficiency and negotiating leverage on underlying investment costs, though this data does not directly quantify that effect.
All figures are sourced from FMA Disclose and provider Quarterly Fund Updates; verify against the latest QFU before relying on any of this data.
Cached comparison generated 2026-07-05 from each provider's FMA Disclose Quarterly Fund Update data. Regenerated when the underlying facts change. Information only — not financial advice.
Key Data Comparison
| Metric | Asb | Smartshares | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average 5Y Return | 4.28% | 5.49% | 1.21% diff |
| Average Fees | 0.58% | 0.81% | 0.23% diff |
| Number of Funds | 6 | 65 | 59 diff |
| Total Members | 520,526 | 149,617 | — |
| Total AUM | $20283M | $3313M | — |
Data sourced from FMA and provider disclosures. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Highest 5-year return funds
Asb Top Fund
Aggressive Fund
Smartshares Top Fund
Superlife Default Fund
Reading the data: which provider suits which investor
Lower headline fees: Asb (0.58% average) versus Smartshares (0.81%). Fee-sensitive investors and long-horizon savers (20+ years to retirement) typically weight fees heavily because they compound.
Higher historical 5-year return: Smartshares (5.49%) versus Asb (4.28%). Higher past return is not a forecast — it usually reflects asset-mix differences (more growth assets) and the specific 5-year window. A higher-growth portfolio also carries larger drawdowns.
Wider fund range: Smartshares (65 funds) gives more granular control over asset allocation across categories. The provider with fewer options (6 funds) is typically more index- or default-fund focused.
This is data analysis, not advice. Whether either provider suits you depends on your investment horizon, risk tolerance, and personal circumstances. Consult a licensed financial adviser for guidance specific to your situation.
Switching from Asb to Smartshares (or back)
- Decide the destination fund. Pick the specific Smartshares fund that matches your target risk profile (Conservative / Balanced / Growth / Aggressive).
- Apply with the new provider only. You do not need to contact your current provider. The new provider initiates the IRD/transfer process on your behalf.
- Wait 10–15 business days. Funds transfer at unit price on the day of transfer. There are no exit fees, tax penalties, or contribution interruptions.
- Update your PIR if needed. A change of provider is a good prompt to confirm your Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR) is correct.
You can only be in one KiwiSaver scheme at a time. Switching between funds within the same provider is a separate, usually instant process — see our switching-funds guide. For full step-by-step provider-switch instructions including the eligibility letter and bank-transfer mechanics, see how to switch KiwiSaver provider.
Frequently asked questions
How do Asb and Smartshares compare on fees?
Asb's funds carry an average annual fee of 0.58% compared with 0.81% at Smartshares. Illustrative — sub-1-percentage-point fee gaps compound over multi-decade horizons. Compare net-fee return as well as fee level — see the side-by-side data above.
What are the 5-year returns for Asb vs Smartshares?
Based on 5-year average annualised returns from FMA Disclose data, Asb shows 4.28% across its KiwiSaver scheme fund range, and Smartshares shows 5.49%. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns and returns can be negative in any given year.
Can I switch from Asb to Smartshares?
Yes. Switching KiwiSaver providers is free, requires no permission from your current provider, and typically takes 10–15 business days. You apply with your chosen new provider — they handle the transfer with your old provider directly. There are no exit fees or tax penalties. See our switching guide for the step-by-step process.
Which provider has more fund options — Asb or Smartshares?
Asb offers 6 KiwiSaver scheme funds, while Smartshares offers 65. A larger fund range gives more granular control over your asset allocation; a smaller range typically reflects a focused index- or default-fund philosophy.
How is this data sourced?
All figures are extracted from the FMA Disclose register and provider PDS / Quarterly Fund Update documents. Returns are 5-year annualised averages where available. AUM and member counts are sourced from the most recent provider disclosures. Data is refreshed quarterly. See methodology below.
Methodology and data sources
Source: Financial Markets Authority (FMA) Disclose register, provider PDS documents, and Quarterly Fund Updates (QFUs).
Returns: 5-year annualised averages, after fees and before tax (per FMA QFU convention). Where a fund has fewer than 5 years of history it is excluded from the average.
Fees: Total annual fund charge (TAFC) as disclosed in the most recent QFU.
AUM and members: Most recent provider scheme disclosure.
Refresh cadence: Quarterly, following each QFU release.
Categories: Conservative / Balanced / Growth / Aggressive normalised across providers using each fund's own self-classification with light mapping (defensive and cash → Conservative; high-growth → Aggressive).
FundCompare is not a Financial Advice Provider. We compare and inform; we do not recommend or advise. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
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Important Information
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. FundCompare.co.nz is not a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FAP).
We do not assess suitability, make recommendations, or provide personalised advice. The information shown is sourced from publicly available data and may not reflect current offerings. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Investment returns can be negative, and you may receive back less than you invested.
Before making any decisions: Always verify current information directly with the relevant KiwiSaver provider and read their Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Need personalised advice? Consult a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Find advisers at fma.govt.nz
Compare every fund on the FMA Disclose register. Refreshed quarterly. Independent — FundCompare is not a Financial Advice Provider; general information only.
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Investing involves risk. The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Before making any investment decision, you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the fund carefully. If you have questions or are unclear about the implications of your investment decision, you should seek advice from a licensed Financial Advice Provider.
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