Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
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.
Check the current joining and employer criteria. The brand serves its established community as well as members whose circumstances fit the product.
Retail fund brand
Pearler Super is a digital accumulation account for members who want to choose ETFs and other approved ASX securities.
The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
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.
| What to compare | Catholic Super | Pearler Super |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Sources1234 | The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Superannuation, transition-to-retirement income and retirement income. Sources1234 | Pearler Personal Super accumulation. Sources123 |
| 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. Sources1234 | Members can choose from a menu of ETFs and other ASX-listed securities through the Pearler apps. Sources123 |
| Insurance | Read the current Catholic Super insurance documents for the relevant employer or personal arrangement. Sources1234 | There is no integrated insurance. Moving an entire balance from another fund can end the cover held there. Sources123 |
| 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. Sources1234 | The current PDS does not offer a pension account. Sources123 |
| 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 | The app offers investment tools. Any advice arrangement should be assessed separately from access to those tools. Sources123 |
| 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 | Administration fees apply to the first $500,000, with eligible family-group caps. Add underlying investment costs, transactions and the effect of the cash account. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Use the current aligned investment menu and its predecessor notes. Compare individual options with similar asset mixes. Sources1234 | Performance depends on the actual securities and cash held. There is no single Pearler portfolio return that applies to everyone. Sources123 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A useful candidate for people who value its workplace relationships or want the retirement services offered through the brand.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
May suit a member who can construct and maintain a diversified listed portfolio and has separately considered insurance.
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 Catholic Super profile · Read the full Pearler Super 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.