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.
Restricted public sector fund
PSSap is CSC's accumulation fund for eligible current and former Australian Government employees.
Joining normally requires eligible government employment. After 12 continuous months in eligible employment, a member can receive contributions from other employers. Some CSS and PSS members can open a personal accumulation account, subject to eligibility.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | Choose an investment option | PSSap MySuper |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | Choose an option | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | Choose an option | 9.74% |
| 5-year return, per year | Choose an option | 6.77% |
| 7-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.10% |
| 10-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.57% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | Choose an option | 69.06% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | Choose an option | $455 a year (0.91%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | Choose an option | $75 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Choose an option | Pass |
| 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 | Bendigo SmartStart Super | PSSap |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Check current availability for the specific product and option. Certain failed investment options are closed to new members. Sources123 | Joining normally requires eligible government employment. After 12 continuous months in eligible employment, a member can receive contributions from other employers. Some CSS and PSS members can open a personal accumulation account, subject to eligibility. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Bendigo SmartStart Super and SmartStart Pension. Sources123 | Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan. CSCri retirement accounts use the same fund ABN but have separate terms. PSSap employer-sponsored membership PSSap personal accumulation CSCri retirement income Sources123 |
| 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 | PSSap MySuper Balanced Members can choose among four investment options. The MySuper comparison applies to Balanced; it does not describe every PSSap account. Sources123 |
| Insurance | Insurance is available under the SmartStart policy and guide. Sources123 | lifePLUS can provide death, total and permanent disability and income protection cover. Automatic cover depends on eligibility. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | SmartStart Pension has its own product documentation. Sources123 | CSCri is a separate retirement income product. Its fees and tax treatment need a separate comparison. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | Use the current support and advice documents to establish services and charges. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Fee details to check | Use the current PDS and updates; ownership change alone does not establish a fee reduction. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| 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 the same balance, investment risk and reporting date on both sides. Sources123 |
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
PSSap deserves a place on an eligible employee's shortlist, especially when assessing their employment package. Check the contribution and insurance arrangements attached to the job before comparing funds on fees alone.
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 PSSap 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.