Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail fund brand
Cruelty Free Super gives animal-welfare concerns a central role in its ethical approach. It replaced its single Growth option with three choices in 2024.
Public membership is available under the current product documents.
Closed public sector scheme
CSS is a closed Commonwealth scheme whose benefit depends on more than the investment return shown on a statement.
Relevant to existing contributors, deferred members and pensioners. Some returning employees must or may resume contributing.
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 | Cruelty Free Super | CSS |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Public membership is available under the current product documents. Sources123 | Relevant to existing contributors, deferred members and pensioners. Some returning employees must or may resume contributing. Sources12 |
| Accounts and products | Cruelty Free Super accumulation. Sources123 | Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme, including defined benefit and accumulation components. CSS defined benefit CSS accumulation component Sources12 |
| Investment choices | The current choices are Cruelty Free Australian Shares, Cruelty Free International Shares and Cash. Members select their own mix; these are not three diversified balanced portfolios. Sources123 | Investment earnings affect the funded component; they are only part of the overall benefit calculation. Sources12 |
| Insurance | AIA provides insurance. The FAQ says a transfer of existing insurance generally needs to be completed within 30 days of leaving the other fund. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Retirement income | The reviewed FAQ explains retirement withdrawals but does not establish a dedicated pension product. Check the income-stream pathway before retirement. Sources123 | The main retirement benefit is generally a pension. Age, service, reason for leaving and sometimes final salary affect its calculation. Sources12 |
| Advice and support | Member services provide product support; personal advice needs a qualified adviser. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Fee details to check | Use the current PDS and reference guide for the chosen option, including administration, investment and insurance costs. Sources123 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Comparing investment performance | Read option inception and change dates; the pre-2024 single-option record is not the same record as every current option. Sources123 | Explain benefits beside other schemes without treating CSS as a fund anyone can join. Sources12 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A candidate for people whose animal-welfare requirements are not met by a mainstream fund's screening policy.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
For a CSS member, an ordinary fund ranking answers too little. Get a benefit estimate for the actual exit date and compare the pension and lump-sum choices before considering any transfer.
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 Cruelty Free Super profile · Read the full CSS 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.