Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
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.
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.
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 | Bendigo SmartStart Super | Equip Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members. 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 | Bendigo SmartStart Super and SmartStart Pension. Sources123 | Accumulation super, retirement income and transition-to-retirement accounts, alongside existing defined benefit arrangements. Sources12345 |
| Investment choices | MySuper is an age-based strategy using Growth Index, Balanced Index and Conservative Index at different ages, with a separate choice menu. 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 | Insurance is available under the SmartStart policy and guide. Sources123 | Use the insurance guide for the relevant membership or employer category. Standard and workplace arrangements should not be treated as interchangeable. Sources12345 |
| Retirement income | SmartStart Pension has its own product documentation. Sources123 | MyPension is a strategy for managing retirement savings across investment options. It is not a guaranteed lifetime pension. Sources12345 |
| Advice and support | Use the current support and advice documents to establish services and charges. Sources123 | 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 | Use the current PDS and updates; ownership change alone does not establish a fee reduction. Sources123 | Use the schedule effective for the current year and chosen product. Equip published investment fee and cost changes effective 1 July 2026. Sources12345 |
| Comparing investment performance | 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 | 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 |
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.
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 Bendigo SmartStart 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.