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
NGS Super combines a MySuper default with indexed, diversified and sector options. Its advice service starts with limited help about a member's NGS account.
Use the current joining criteria and insurance guide for the membership being considered; workplace arrangements can affect cover.
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 | NGS Diversified (MySuper) |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | 9.65% | 9.96% |
| 5-year return, per year | 6.68% | 6.67% |
| 7-year return, per year | 6.99% | 7.01% |
| 10-year return, per year | Not reported | 7.72% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | 69.06% | 78.94% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | $455 a year (0.91%) | $515 a year (1.03%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | $75 a year | $140 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Pass | Pass |
| New-member status at reporting date | Check the current product eligibility rules | Check the current product eligibility rules |
At $50,000, the reported annual total-cost difference is $60. ADF Super's selected reporting pathway has the lower reported cost on this measure. The figures cover the year to June 2026; current prices, insurance and separately charged advice can change the comparison.
The growth allocations are 69.06% and 78.94%. A return gap can reflect different exposure to growth assets, and similar headline allocations can still contain different investments.
A performance-test pass is a benchmark result for the tested product or pathway. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of future performance.
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 | NGS Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Entry is tied to ADF service. Members who meet the continuous-service rules can keep contributing after leaving Defence. Sources123 | Use the current joining criteria and insurance guide for the membership being considered; workplace arrangements can affect cover. Sources123 |
| 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, transition-to-retirement and Income accounts. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | MySuper Balanced The four options are MySuper Balanced, Cash, Income Focused and Aggressive. Sources123 | Diversified is the MySuper option. Other choices include High Growth, Balanced, Defensive, Indexed Growth and sector options such as Australian shares, international shares, infrastructure, property, bonds, cash and term deposits. Sources123 |
| 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 | Insurance is available under the current guide. Compare cover definitions, insured amounts and premiums rather than relying on a general service award. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the selected investment option separately from ADF Cover and any civilian insurance premiums. Sources123 | Compare the same option, dates and account phase. The Indexed Growth and Diversified strategies should be assessed against their own asset mix and objectives. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Income and transition-to-retirement accounts have separate disclosure documents. NGS explains that investment earnings are treated differently in these account types. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Single-issue advice limited to an NGS account and its insurance is available without a separate charge. Broader tailored advice is offered on an agreed fee-for-service basis. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | The current page separates fixed administration, a balance-based component, reserve-paid administration costs and option-specific investment costs. Indexed Growth has a different investment cost from Diversified, so quote the actual chosen option. Sources123 |
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 if you want a conventional industry fund but also want an indexed portfolio or help with a specific super question.
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 NGS 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.