Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Industry fund
Brighter Super brings together Queensland local government and energy industry roots with the former Suncorp super business. It now serves a broader membership.
Open to a broad Australian membership. Employer and legacy product arrangements can differ, so use the disclosure documents for the account you would actually join.
Restricted public sector fund
ESSSuper's Accumulation Plan serves eligible Victorian emergency services and State Super members, including their spouses.
The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | Accumulation - MySuper | Choose an investment option |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member | Choose an option |
| 3-year return, per year | 9.73% | Choose an option |
| 5-year return, per year | 6.98% | Choose an option |
| 7-year return, per year | 7.02% | Choose an option |
| 10-year return, per year | 7.59% | Choose an option |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | 78.63% | Choose an option |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | $365 a year (0.73%) | Choose an option |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | $80 a year | Choose an option |
| 2026 performance test | Pass | Choose an option |
| 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 | Brighter Super | ESSSuper |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Open to a broad Australian membership. Employer and legacy product arrangements can differ, so use the disclosure documents for the account you would actually join. Sources1234 | The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners. Sources1 |
| Accounts and products | Accumulation accounts, pension accounts and legacy or employer arrangements. Sources1234 | This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations. Accumulation Plan Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes Sources1 |
| Investment choices | A MySuper default, ready-made multi-manager options and single-asset options. The comparison page states that MySuper is for accumulation accounts and is unavailable to pension and defined benefit members. Sources1234 | Balanced Growth Managed The PDS lists ten options: eight diversified portfolios plus Shares Only and Cash. The default has a ten-year suggested investment timeframe and a High risk rating. Sources1 |
| Insurance | Insurance is available through super. Cover, eligibility and the insurance guide depend on the account or employer arrangement. Sources1234 | Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance. Sources1 |
| Retirement income | Pension and transition-to-retirement investment choices have their own return targets and fee documents. A pension return should not be compared directly with an accumulation return. Sources1234 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Advice and support | Member support and advice services are part of the fund's offering. Ask which questions the service covers and whether a separate advice fee applies. Sources1234 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Fee details to check | Use the current Investment and Fees Guide for the precise product and investment option. An old LGIAsuper, Energy Super or Suncorp fee figure is not a current Brighter Super quote. Sources1234 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Comparing investment performance | Match the investment option, account phase and reporting end date. For any history spanning the integration, read the explanation of the predecessor option. Sources1234 | Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options. Sources1 |
| Former names and account history | LGIAsuper: Brighter Super name launched in July 2022 following the Energy Super merger. Energy Super: Merged with LGIAsuper in July 2021; Brighter Super branding followed in July 2022. Suncorp Super: Business acquired in April 2022; successor fund transfer completed in June 2023. Sources5 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Worth comparing if you want an industry fund with Queensland connections and the choice to move beyond its default portfolio.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
The accumulation account can complement a defined benefit. Compare each part on its own terms: investment choices and costs for accumulation, benefit rules for the defined benefit.
Sources1
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 Brighter Super profile · Read the full ESSSuper 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.