For many Australians, superannuation is the nest egg we rely on to fund our golden years.

After decades of hard work, it’s only natural to look forward to a comfortable retirement, free from financial stress.

But what happens when global events beyond our control send shockwaves through the markets—and your super balance takes a sudden, stomach-churning dive?


That’s precisely what happened to Brisbane man Peter Jarratt, 69, who woke up to find nearly $50,000 wiped from his superannuation and investments almost overnight.

Peter, a fleet manager for 15 years, had planned to retire at the end of 2025.

Now, thanks to a sudden market downturn triggered by international tariff disputes, he’s considering working for at least another year to make up for the loss.


‘It just seems to be so volatile, and there’s no end to the madness,’ Peter said, echoing the concerns of many Aussies watching their retirement savings fluctuate with every news headline.

The culprit this time is a fresh round of tariff threats from former US President Donald Trump, which sent global stock markets into a tailspin.

Although the tariffs are currently on a 90-day pause, the initial announcement was enough to spark panic selling and wipe billions from share markets worldwide—including here in Australia.


Peter’s experience isn’t unique. According to superannuation consultancy Chant West, Australia's median balanced super fund fell by 1.9 per cent in March, with further losses expected in April.

For the average Aussie approaching retirement, that could mean starting the year with $13,000 less in their super than they expected.

While it’s easy to panic when your super balance drops, financial experts urge calm.

Terry Vogiatzis from Omura Wealth Advisors points out that most super funds are diversified, meaning they’re invested across a range of assets—not just shares.

This helps cushion the blow when markets are volatile.

‘Volatility and market downturns don’t last forever,’ Terry says.


‘If you’re younger, you might even see this as an opportunity—better to experience a downturn when your balance is smaller than when you’re about to retire.’

But the timing couldn't be worse for those like Peter, who are on the cusp of retirement.

Even though his investments have recovered about half of their initial losses, he’s worried they won’t bounce back fully before he’s ready to hang up his boots.

While the markets have shown some signs of recovery since the initial tariff shock, experts warn that optimism may drive the rally more than solid economic fundamentals.

Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo Australia, cautions that ongoing global uncertainty—such as tensions between the US and China and fluctuations in commodity prices—means we’re not out of the woods yet.


For now, Peter and thousands of other Aussies are left hoping for calmer waters ahead.

‘Thanks to Trump, I’m facing another year of work to replace what has been lost,’ he said, a sentiment that will resonate with anyone who’s watched their hard-earned savings take a hit.
Have you checked your super balance lately? Have you been affected by recent market volatility, or are you worried about your retirement plans? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below—let’s support each other through these uncertain times!