Virtually everyone has a superannuation fund, yet a significant number of us remain largely unaware of where our hard-earned savings are actually being invested.
While the majority of Australians typically select a straightforward 'balanced' fund from a large provider, a growing cohort is choosing to take direct control by personally selecting investments or even managing their own self-managed super fund (SMSF). For these proactive investors, a wide array of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) presents a compelling option.
ETFs offer a remarkably efficient method to instantly introduce diversification and stability into a super portfolio. With that in mind, let's examine two premier ASX-listed ETFs that appear exceptionally well-suited for most superannuation funds today.
Two ASX ETFs to consider for your superannuation fund in 2026
Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)
Most Australian super funds, whether they are pre-mixed portfolios, SMSFs, or other structures, carry substantial exposure to both the Australian and US equity markets. This concentration is logical. The domestic market offers familiarity, local investment opportunities, and a historical track record of wealth generation, with franking credits serving as a valuable additional benefit.
Concurrently, the United States is the headquarters for many of the planet's most dominant corporations, such as Apple, Mastercard, Costco, and Nvidia.
However, some investors may seek to diversify their superannuation holdings beyond these two dominant markets. The Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF provides a simple and effective solution. This ETF tracks a vast index of global stock markets, specifically excluding the United States. Its portfolio includes companies from a diverse range of countries, including India, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, and Thailand. Major holdings feature industry giants like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Shell plc, Toyota, and Nestle.
This ASX ETF is an ideal choice for any investor aiming to achieve genuine global stock diversification within their superannuation investments.
iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)
Since our superannuation savings are the cornerstone of a secure retirement, investors naturally prefer to see their capital allocated to safe, reliable businesses capable of enduring and prospering through various economic cycles. This is precisely where the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF proves its worth.
This ETF invests in a curated basket of the world's leading consumer staples companies. These businesses produce essential goods that consumers need to purchase on a continuous basis, spanning categories like food, beverages, household necessities, alcohol, and tobacco.
Such companies represent excellent defensive investments, as the fundamental need to maintain household supplies persists unabated during economic downturns or periods of high inflation. Among IXI's largest holdings are globally recognized names such as Coca-Cola Co, Walmart, Kraft Heinz, Procter & Gamble, and Colgate-Palmolive.
For those seeking a defensive ETF that channels superannuation capital into some of the world's most resilient enterprises, this fund certainly warrants a detailed examination.
