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Brighter Super 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

Brighter Super

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.

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.

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
MeasureAccumulation - MySuperMySuper
Return basisMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative memberMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per year9.73%10.11%
5-year return, per year6.98%7.32%
7-year return, per year7.02%7.53%
10-year return, per year7.59%7.90%
APRA strategic growth allocation78.63%77.72%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000$365 a year (0.73%)$470 a year (0.94%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)$80 a year$190 a year
2026 performance testPassPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck the current product eligibility rules

Reading these two options

At $50,000, the reported annual total-cost difference is $105. Brighter Super's selected reporting pathway has the lower reported cost on this measure. The figures cover the year to June 2026; current prices, insurance and separately charged advice can change the comparison.

The growth allocations are 78.63% and 77.72%. A return gap can reflect different exposure to growth assets, and similar headline allocations can still contain different investments.

A performance-test pass is a benchmark result for the tested product or pathway. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of future performance.

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

Brighter Super and legalsuper: product features and conditions
What to compareBrighter Superlegalsuper
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.

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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

Accumulation accounts, pension accounts and legacy or employer arrangements.

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Superannuation, pension and transition-to-retirement pension.

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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.

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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

Insurance is available through super. Cover, eligibility and the insurance guide depend on the account or employer arrangement.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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

Match the investment option, account phase and reporting end date. For any history spanning the integration, read the explanation of the predecessor option.

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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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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.

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This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents.

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Brighter Super

Editorial assessment

Worth comparing if you want an industry fund with Queensland connections and the choice to move beyond its default portfolio.

What deserves a closer look

  • Confirm which legacy or employer terms apply before comparing insurance and administration costs.
  • MySuper and Balanced are separate options; a shared return target does not make their portfolios identical.

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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 Brighter Super 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 Brighter Super profile · Read the full legalsuper profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for Brighter Super

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

  1. Welcome to Brighter Super
  2. Compare investment options
  3. PDS and guides
  4. Insurance
  5. LGIAsuper: name and account history

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