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Brighter Super vs smartMonday

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.

smartMonday

Retail fund brand

smartMonday PRIME has an age-based default and a choice menu, plus a pension product. Its MySuper design changed in August 2026.

Membership

Employer and personal membership depend on the relevant product and plan.

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 - MySuperChoose an investment option
Return basisMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative memberChoose an option
3-year return, per year9.73%Choose an option
5-year return, per year6.98%Choose an option
7-year return, per year7.02%Choose an option
10-year return, per year7.59%Choose an option
APRA strategic growth allocation78.63%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 yearChoose an option
2026 performance testPassChoose an option
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

Brighter Super and smartMonday: product features and conditions
What to compareBrighter SupersmartMonday
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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Employer and personal membership depend on the relevant product and plan.

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Accounts and products

Accumulation accounts, pension accounts and legacy or employer arrangements.

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PRIME super and 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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LifeStage MySuper now uses four age bands. Members can also select pre-mixed and sector options.

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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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Insurance is available; advice about a member's smartMonday insurance is included without a separate advice charge.

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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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A pension account is available under separate disclosure.

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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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smartCoach provides account-related advice. Check the scope before seeking broader planning.

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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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From 14 August 2026, the standard annual administration charge fell to $67.60 plus 0.16% of balance, with a $1,000 cap on that percentage component. Investment costs rose for most options; employer terms may differ.

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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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Do not compare the new LifeStage strategy as though its allocation has remained unchanged throughout the historical LifeCycle record.

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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 smartMonday

Editorial assessment

Worth comparing for members who prefer an age-based investment strategy or have a negotiated employer plan.

What deserves a closer look

  • Old pages still refer to LifeCycle; the August 2026 notice is the current guide.
  • The administration reduction does not mean every member's total fees fell.

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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 smartMonday

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 smartMonday 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 smartMonday

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

  1. August 2026 product changes
  2. Current disclosure documents
  3. FAQs and advice