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.
Industry fund
Equip Super combines a conventional super investment menu with retirement income products and a MyPension investment strategy.
Public joining is available, with separate terms for certain employer and defined benefit arrangements. A workplace plan may differ from the standard accumulation offer.
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 | Equip Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Entry is tied to ADF service. Members who meet the continuous-service rules can keep contributing after leaving Defence. Sources123 | Public joining is available, with separate terms for certain employer and defined benefit arrangements. A workplace plan may differ from the standard accumulation offer. Sources12345 |
| 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 | Accumulation super, retirement income and transition-to-retirement accounts, alongside existing defined benefit arrangements. Sources12345 |
| Investment choices | MySuper Balanced The four options are MySuper Balanced, Cash, Income Focused and Aggressive. Sources123 | The menu includes diversified and sector options, with MySuper as the default for accumulation members who do not choose. Check the current menu: the Future Focus option closed on 17 June 2026. Sources12345 |
| 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 | Use the insurance guide for the relevant membership or employer category. Standard and workplace arrangements should not be treated as interchangeable. Sources12345 |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the selected investment option separately from ADF Cover and any civilian insurance premiums. Sources123 | Use current option names and the same account phase. The June 2026 option closure and earlier integration mean old menus and performance screenshots may mislead. Sources12345 |
| Retirement income | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | MyPension is a strategy for managing retirement savings across investment options. It is not a guaranteed lifetime pension. Sources12345 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Members can receive advice about their super at no extra cost. Ask about the scope and separate fees before proceeding with broader financial planning. Sources12345 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Use the schedule effective for the current year and chosen product. Equip published investment fee and cost changes effective 1 July 2026. Sources12345 |
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
Worth comparing for someone who wants support moving from super to pension, or who already belongs to an Equip employer plan.
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 Equip Super 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.