Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail fund
Colonial First State's FirstChoice range lets members choose an age-based option or build a portfolio from a broad managed-fund menu. Employer and personal products have different terms.
FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super is open to the public. FirstChoice Employer Super is available through a participating employer; eligible spouses can also join and members can remain after changing jobs.
Closed retail fund
National Mutual Retirement Fund holds a range of older superannuation and insurance policies administered by Resolution Life.
The trustee's March 2026 assessment describes the fund as closed to new members. Existing-member contributions and successor transfers are different from opening a new retail account; the rules depend on the policy.
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 | Colonial First State | National Mutual Retirement Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super is open to the public. FirstChoice Employer Super is available through a participating employer; eligible spouses can also join and members can remain after changing jobs. Sources13 | The trustee's March 2026 assessment describes the fund as closed to new members. Existing-member contributions and successor transfers are different from opening a new retail account; the rules depend on the policy. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | FirstChoice products. Essential Super and CFS Edge are distinct product propositions. FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super FirstChoice Employer Super FirstChoice pension products CFS Lifestage Sources16 | Resolution Life legacy superannuation products, including the separate former Super Retirement Fund section from 1 July 2026. Accelerator Personal Superannuation Plan Investment Linked Personal Superannuation products MultiFund Superannuation Bond Resolution Life MyLife Super Whole of Life and Endowment super policies Former Super Retirement Fund section Sources1234 |
| Investment choices | CFS Lifestage in FirstChoice Employer Super; identify the chosen option in Personal Super. FirstChoice offers ready-made diversified portfolios and a broad selection of asset-class and manager options. CFS Lifestage adjusts the mix with a member's birth cohort. Sustainable choices include Thrive+ Sustainable Growth. Access to managed accounts can require a financial adviser. Sources12 | Menus vary by policy. Some are unit-linked investment accounts; others combine insurance, guarantees or bonuses. The product and investment option on the member statement are essential identifiers. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | FirstChoice Employer Super can provide automatic insurance for eligible employee members. Insurance depends on the plan, so ask about cover, premiums and any employer subsidy. A Personal Super account should be checked under its own insurance terms. Sources3 | Insurance and whole-of-life features belong to specific policies. The label National Mutual Retirement Fund does not establish a member's cover, premium or surrender value. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | CFS has pension products and services for starting and managing a retirement income stream. Compare the particular pension product and investment menu rather than carrying across fees from FirstChoice Employer Super. Sources45 | Pension and super policies have their own withdrawal, payment and maturity rules. Annual and terminal bonuses should be distinguished; terminal bonuses may depend on the eventual claim or withdrawal. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | CFS offers personal advice on FirstChoice super and access to broader financial advice. Comprehensive advisers charge a fee that may be one-off or ongoing; include this cost when comparing an advised portfolio. Sources45 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Fee details to check | Calculate fees for the actual FirstChoice product and selected managers. A low administration fee does not include all underlying investment costs or any advice fee. Employer-plan insurance and discounts can also alter the member's total. Sources5 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Comparing investment performance | CFS Lifestage needs an age-cohort comparison. A chosen managed fund's return is specific to that investment; it should not be presented as the return of Colonial First State overall. Different FirstChoice products can hold a similarly named option with different charges. Specify Employer Super versus Wholesale Personal Super. Do not treat Essential Super's Lifestage product as interchangeable with FirstChoice Lifestage. Sources2 | Compare the actual policy and option. Do not average different contracts into one fund return. This is an explanatory profile for existing members, not a new-account recommendation. Sources1234 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
FirstChoice is most interesting when you have a reason to use investment choice. Its range accommodates a simple age-based holding as well as a more tailored portfolio. If you only want one diversified option, compare its complete cost and service with other simple accounts before paying for features you may not use.
Sources6
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
The legal fund name is a starting point, not enough detail for a switch decision. With older policies, the useful questions are what you own, which benefits would survive a transfer and what would be paid if you left today.
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 Colonial First State profile · Read the full National Mutual Retirement Fund 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.