Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Specialist retail fund
AESF is a specialist super fund for overseas pension transfers, Australian expatriates and Australian residents, with multi-currency investment choices.
The May 2026 PDS includes Australian residents, expatriates and people considering overseas pension transfers. UK tax-relieved transfers have additional eligibility conditions.
Retail fund
Bendigo SmartStart Super continues under Betashares ownership. Existing product terms should be assessed separately from any proposed future Betashares super product.
Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
The costs and returns belong to the selected product, option or lifecycle stage.
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 | Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund | Bendigo SmartStart Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | The May 2026 PDS includes Australian residents, expatriates and people considering overseas pension transfers. UK tax-relieved transfers have additional eligibility conditions. Sources123 | Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Personal Super and Personal Pension. Sources123 | Bendigo SmartStart Super and SmartStart Pension. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | Members can access investment and cash choices in multiple currencies through the platform. Sources123 | MySuper is an age-based strategy using Growth Index, Balanced Index and Conservative Index at different ages, with a separate choice menu. Sources123 |
| Insurance | Existing insurance arrangements should be checked with the fund. Older application forms describe cover that should not be assumed to be available on the same terms today. Sources123 | Insurance is available under the SmartStart policy and guide. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | Personal Pension provides an income stream when the member meets the relevant access rules. Sources123 | SmartStart Pension has its own product documentation. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | Overseas pension transfers need advice that addresses both countries' rules and the member's residency. IVCM's product support does not decide whether a transfer is right for you. Sources123 | Use the current support and advice documents to establish services and charges. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | The PDS example assumes no QROPS or foreign-currency holdings. Transfer, currency and specialist administration costs can therefore change the actual total. Sources123 | Use the current PDS and updates; ownership change alone does not establish a fee reduction. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Compare the selected investments, currencies and net costs. Currency movements can alter both investment results and tax calculations. Sources123 | The current site reports that Bendigo Balanced Wholesale and Bendigo High Growth Index did not pass the 2026 APRA performance test. This finding is option-specific, not a claim about every SmartStart option. Sources123 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Relevant for people investigating a cross-border pension transfer, rather than a routine domestic fund comparison.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Most useful for an existing member reviewing their exact option and current alternatives.
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 Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund profile · Read the full Bendigo SmartStart 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.