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Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund vs legalsuper

Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.

By SuperGuru Group · Research checked 11 September 2026 · Historical APRA figures to 30 June 2026

Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund

Specialist retail fund

AESF is a specialist super fund for overseas pension transfers, Australian expatriates and Australian residents, with multi-currency investment choices.

Membership

The May 2026 PDS includes Australian residents, expatriates and people considering overseas pension transfers. UK tax-relieved transfers have additional eligibility conditions.

legalsuper

Industry fund

legalsuper is aimed at the legal profession and gives members both managed investment options and a direct investment facility.

Membership

Check current employer-sponsored and personal membership terms. The account category matters when comparing fees and insurance.

Compare fees and investment returns

Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.

APRA product data to 30 June 2026
MeasureChoose an investment optionMySuper
Return basisChoose an optionMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per yearChoose an option10.11%
5-year return, per yearChoose an option7.32%
7-year return, per yearChoose an option7.53%
10-year return, per yearChoose an option7.90%
APRA strategic growth allocationChoose an option77.72%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000Choose an option$470 a year (0.94%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)Choose an option$190 a year
2026 performance testChoose an optionPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck 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.

How the products differ

Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund and legalsuper: product features and conditions
What to compareAustralian Expatriate Superannuation Fundlegalsuper
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.

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Check current employer-sponsored and personal membership terms. The account category matters when comparing fees and insurance.

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Accounts and products

Personal Super and Personal Pension.

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Superannuation, pension and transition-to-retirement pension.

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Investment choices

Members can access investment and cash choices in multiple currencies through the platform.

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Members can choose managed options. Eligible accounts can also use the Direct Investment Option for ASX300 shares, selected ETFs, listed investment companies and term deposits.

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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.

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The fund has insurance options for its membership. Compare the actual policy and occupation category, rather than treating a legal-industry label or award as proof of value.

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Retirement income

Personal Pension provides an income stream when the member meets the relevant access rules.

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Pension members have a managed menu and can access direct investment subject to its rules. Transition-to-retirement pension members cannot use the Direct Investment Option.

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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.

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The fund provides member information and support. Personal financial advice should have a clear scope and agreed fee; only eligible super-related advice fees may be paid from the account.

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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.

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Direct investing adds its own administration and other costs to the ordinary product schedule. Include these when comparing it with a pooled option or another direct-share facility.

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Comparing investment performance

Compare the selected investments, currencies and net costs. Currency movements can alter both investment results and tax calculations.

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A member who holds direct securities has a personal portfolio return. It is not meaningful to assign the MySuper return to that portfolio.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund

Editorial assessment

Relevant for people investigating a cross-border pension transfer, rather than a routine domestic fund comparison.

What deserves a closer look

  • Check current HMRC eligibility and transfer rules at the time of any proposed transfer.
  • A move between countries can affect the transfer's tax treatment and reporting obligations.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on legalsuper

Editorial assessment

Worth examining for legal professionals or eligible members who want more investment control and will use the direct menu.

What deserves a closer look

  • The direct facility is unavailable in transition-to-retirement pensions.
  • A broad investment menu does not remove the need to manage concentration, cash and trading costs.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund and legalsuper

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 legalsuper profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for Australian Expatriate Superannuation Fund

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. PDS dated 1 May 2026
  2. AESF product and current documents
  3. Member administration changes

Sources for legalsuper

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. Investment options
  2. Fees and direct-investment restrictions
  3. Member outcomes and direct investments
  4. legalsuper