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Catholic Super vs DFRDB

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

Catholic Super

Industry fund brand

Catholic Super remains a separate brand within Equip Super. Its background in Catholic education and healthcare is useful context, but the name alone does not tell you the investment screens or product terms.

Membership

Check the current joining and employer criteria. The brand serves its established community as well as members whose circumstances fit the product.

DFRDB

Closed public sector scheme

DFRDB is a closed Defence pension scheme with benefits determined by salary and service rules.

Membership

The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners.

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.

Choose an investment option to see the figures

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.

How the products differ

Catholic Super and DFRDB: product features and conditions
What to compareCatholic SuperDFRDB
Membership and access

Check the current joining and employer criteria. The brand serves its established community as well as members whose circumstances fit the product.

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The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners.

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Accounts and products

Superannuation, transition-to-retirement income and retirement income.

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Defence Forces Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme.

DFRDB pension and scheme benefits

Separate MilitarySuper ancillary account where eligible

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Investment choices

Diversified and sector-specific choices. The default is MySuper for super accounts, Capital Stable for transition-to-retirement accounts and MyPension for retirement income accounts.

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

Insurance

Read the current Catholic Super insurance documents for the relevant employer or personal arrangement.

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Serving members have built-in death and invalidity protection.

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Retirement income

MyPension invests across Cash, Capital Stable and Growth. This is an investment allocation strategy, with market risk, rather than a promise to pay income for life.

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Service and super salary affect retirement pay. Eligible members can consider a pension and an optional lump-sum commutation under scheme rules.

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Advice and support

Financial planning is available through Togethr Financial Planning. Confirm the work covered and the agreed charge before requesting a personal plan.

Sources1234

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

Fee details to check

Compare the current Catholic Super product disclosure with the same product phase elsewhere. Shared investment infrastructure with Equip does not justify guessing that every member fee and insurance term is identical.

Sources1234

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

Comparing investment performance

Use the current aligned investment menu and its predecessor notes. Compare individual options with similar asset mixes.

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Keep the pension and ancillary accumulation account separate.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Catholic Super

Editorial assessment

A useful candidate for people who value its workplace relationships or want the retirement services offered through the brand.

What deserves a closer look

  • Do not confuse Catholic Super with Australian Catholic Super or assume a religious investment exclusion without reading the policy.
  • Comparing it with Equip is largely a comparison of brand and product arrangements within one legal fund.

Sources1234

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 DFRDB

Editorial assessment

DFRDB belongs in an explanation of retirement entitlements. It does not belong in a league table of funds to switch into. The value of pension income and any commutation decision needs individual calculation.

Who this profile is for

  • Current DFRDB members and pensioners reviewing entitlements.

What deserves a closer look

  • Any investment menu applies to a separate ancillary account, not to the core DFRDB pension.
  • A commutation changes the form of retirement benefits; compare its full effect before deciding.

Sources1

Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between Catholic Super and DFRDB

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 Catholic Super profile · Read the full DFRDB profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for Catholic Super

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

  1. Catholic Super investment options
  2. Equip history
  3. Retirement income PDS
  4. Catholic Super advice and fund disclosure

Sources for DFRDB

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

  1. CSC DFRDB overview