Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Restricted public sector fund
ADF Super holds retirement savings for eligible current and former Australian Defence Force members.
Entry is tied to ADF service. Members who meet the continuous-service rules can keep contributing after leaving Defence.
Retail fund
Colonial First State's FirstChoice range lets members choose an age-based option or build a portfolio from a broad managed-fund menu. Employer and personal products have different terms.
FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super is open to the public. FirstChoice Employer Super is available through a participating employer; eligible spouses can also join and members can remain after changing jobs.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | ADF MySuper | Choose an investment option |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member | Choose an option |
| 3-year return, per year | 9.65% | Choose an option |
| 5-year return, per year | 6.68% | Choose an option |
| 7-year return, per year | 6.99% | Choose an option |
| 10-year return, per year | Not reported | Choose an option |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | 69.06% | Choose an option |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | $455 a year (0.91%) | Choose an option |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | $75 a year | Choose an option |
| 2026 performance test | Pass | Choose an option |
| New-member status at reporting date | Check the current product eligibility rules | Check the current product eligibility rules |
Source: APRA Comprehensive Product Performance Package 2026, published 28 August 2026. Fees reflect the reporting year to 30 June 2026, are net of tax, use standard arrangements and exclude member-activity fees. Dollar figures are rounded. They are not a current quote. Check the latest PDS for changes, insurance premiums and any separately charged advice.
Returns are annualised historical results. Different return bases, risk levels and periods cannot be treated as interchangeable. MySuper net returns use a $50,000 representative balance even when you change the fee balance. A lifecycle stage return does not track a person moving between stages. Missing figures mean not reported, not zero. Past returns do not predict future returns. Read our method and APRA's definitions.
| What to compare | ADF Super | Colonial First State |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Entry is tied to ADF service. Members who meet the continuous-service rules can keep contributing after leaving Defence. Sources123 | FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super is open to the public. FirstChoice Employer Super is available through a participating employer; eligible spouses can also join and members can remain after changing jobs. Sources13 |
| Accounts and products | Accumulation super for eligible Defence personnel; ADF Cover is a separate death and invalidity arrangement. ADF Super ADF Cover lifePLUS Protect after service Sources123 | FirstChoice products. Essential Super and CFS Edge are distinct product propositions. FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super FirstChoice Employer Super FirstChoice pension products CFS Lifestage Sources16 |
| Investment choices | MySuper Balanced The four options are MySuper Balanced, Cash, Income Focused and Aggressive. Sources123 | CFS Lifestage in FirstChoice Employer Super; identify the chosen option in Personal Super. FirstChoice offers ready-made diversified portfolios and a broad selection of asset-class and manager options. CFS Lifestage adjusts the mix with a member's birth cohort. Sustainable choices include Thrive+ Sustainable Growth. Access to managed accounts can require a financial adviser. Sources12 |
| Insurance | Eligible serving personnel receive ADF Cover death and invalidity benefits at no extra cost. Eligible former members may obtain lifePLUS Protect, including automatic death and TPD cover or cover applied for separately. Sources123 | FirstChoice Employer Super can provide automatic insurance for eligible employee members. Insurance depends on the plan, so ask about cover, premiums and any employer subsidy. A Personal Super account should be checked under its own insurance terms. Sources3 |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the selected investment option separately from ADF Cover and any civilian insurance premiums. Sources123 | CFS Lifestage needs an age-cohort comparison. A chosen managed fund's return is specific to that investment; it should not be presented as the return of Colonial First State overall. Different FirstChoice products can hold a similarly named option with different charges. Specify Employer Super versus Wholesale Personal Super. Do not treat Essential Super's Lifestage product as interchangeable with FirstChoice Lifestage. Sources2 |
| Retirement income | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | CFS has pension products and services for starting and managing a retirement income stream. Compare the particular pension product and investment menu rather than carrying across fees from FirstChoice Employer Super. Sources45 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | CFS offers personal advice on FirstChoice super and access to broader financial advice. Comprehensive advisers charge a fee that may be one-off or ongoing; include this cost when comparing an advised portfolio. Sources45 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Calculate fees for the actual FirstChoice product and selected managers. A low administration fee does not include all underlying investment costs or any advice fee. Employer-plan insurance and discounts can also alter the member's total. Sources5 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A useful comparison for Defence members starts with service status. The retirement account, serving-member cover and insurance after discharge have different rules. Treating them as one ordinary retail insurance package can obscure what changes when you leave.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
FirstChoice is most interesting when you have a reason to use investment choice. Its range accommodates a simple age-based holding as well as a more tailored portfolio. If you only want one diversified option, compare its complete cost and service with other simple accounts before paying for features you may not use.
Sources6
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
Use the membership rules to establish which accounts are available to you. Then compare the total price of the investment option and cover you need. A lower fee or higher historical return alone does not tell you which fund is suitable.
Ask both funds to confirm insurance acceptance, exclusions, waiting periods and whether cover would change when you leave your employer. Obtain advice before giving up a defined benefit or an insurance policy you may not be able to replace. ASIC Moneysmart explains the comparison checks.
Read the full ADF Super profile · Read the full Colonial First State profile · Choose another comparison
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.