Know how your contract’s investments are performing.
Do you know if you’re on track to meet your financial goals? One thing you can do to monitor your goals is check your rate of return.
You’ll hear the term “rate of return (RoR)” used often. It means the gains or losses of an investment over a specific period.
There are different ways to calculate a rate of return: we use the “money-weighted” rate of return method. It gives you a personal view of how your contract and funds performed. Important: any withdrawals or deposits into your contract can affect your personal rate of return. Timing can also be a factor.
The example below shows what your personal rate of return may look like on your statement. You’ll see both the total rate of return for your contract and for each individual fund. Reviewing your rate of return can help you monitor your progress towards your financial goals.
| Period | YTD | 6 months | 1 year | 3 year | 5 year | 10 year | Since inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return | 12.11% | 4.95% | 12.11% | - | - | - | 7.83% |
| Fund name (fund code) |
YTD | 6 months | 1 year | 3 year | 5 year | 10 year | Since inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Life Granite Growth Back end load (SI235) |
9.00% | 4.49% | 9.00% | - | - | - | 7.14% |
| Sun MFS International Growth Back end load (SI247) |
21.99% | 6.29% | 21.99% | - | - | - | 9.85% |
The following example shows how withdrawals, deposits and timing can affect your rate of return. The idea is to deposit extra money when you have it or withdraw money when you need it. You’re not trying to time the markets. To keep this simple, let’s look at the performance of a contract invested in just one fund.
Values and returns shown in the chart are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect actual returns.
The chart shows the money-weighted rate of return of a fund over the course of a year. There are two examples; each uses the same dates and amounts, but reverses the deposit and withdrawal actions.
You deposit $50,000 into your contract in January. In March, you deposit another $5,000 while the market is increasing. In August, you withdraw $5,000 while the market is decreasing.
The result: The overall rate of return is 4.15%. This example shows a withdrawal when the market was down.
In January, you deposit $50,000 into your contract. You use the same dates and amounts, but you reverse the actions. In March, you withdraw $5,000. In August, you deposit $5,000.
The result: Even though you moved the same amount of money in and out of the contract, your return is 4.51%. By withdrawing money as the market increases in March and re-investing August, you benefit from the market increase that began in October.
To learn more about your rate of return, talk to your financial advisor.
SLGI Asset Management Inc. is the investment manager of the Sun Life family of mutual funds. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the fund’s prospectus. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is the issuer of accumulation annuities (insurance GICs), payout annuities and individual variable annuity contracts (segregated fund contracts). Any amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the contract owner and may increase or decrease in value. Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. is the issuer of guaranteed investment certificates.
Sun Life Global Investments is a trade name of SLGI Asset Management Inc., Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. all of which are members of the Sun Life group of companies.
