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Inflation: Increases in the cost of living - usually measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Investment choice/investment plan: If you are invested in GESB Super or West State Super, you can choose from a range of investment plans, each one with a different objective for target performance; from 'growth' (high risk) through to 'cash' (low risk). Investment plans each have a unique asset allocation, comprising different types of assets such as shares, property and fixed interest - so you can choose a plan that suits your particular risk profile.

Investment grade bond: A bond with a credit quality considered to have a relatively low level of default risk by an independent bond-rating agency.

Investment returns and risk: 'Return' can be defined as the gain or loss in the value of your investment and 'Risk' is the variability of those returns. When you invest, there is typically a trade-off between risk and return. Generally, the higher the potential return, the higher the potential risk. Similarly, investments offering lower returns tend to have a lower level of risk.

Investment timeframe: The period of time you expect to hold your investment or portfolio. Your investment timeframe is an important factor in determining your risk profile.