Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
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.
Restricted public sector fund
ESSSuper's Accumulation Plan serves eligible Victorian emergency services and State Super members, including their spouses.
The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.
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 | CSS | ESSSuper |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Relevant to existing contributors, deferred members and pensioners. Some returning employees must or may resume contributing. Sources12 | The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners. Sources1 |
| Accounts and products | Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme, including defined benefit and accumulation components. CSS defined benefit CSS accumulation component Sources12 | This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations. Accumulation Plan Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes Sources1 |
| Investment choices | Investment earnings affect the funded component; they are only part of the overall benefit calculation. Sources12 | Balanced Growth Managed The PDS lists ten options: eight diversified portfolios plus Shares Only and Cash. The default has a ten-year suggested investment timeframe and a High risk rating. Sources1 |
| Retirement income | The main retirement benefit is generally a pension. Age, service, reason for leaving and sometimes final salary affect its calculation. Sources12 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Comparing investment performance | Explain benefits beside other schemes without treating CSS as a fund anyone can join. Sources12 | Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options. Sources1 |
| Insurance | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance. Sources1 |
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.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
The accumulation account can complement a defined benefit. Compare each part on its own terms: investment choices and costs for accumulation, benefit rules for the defined benefit.
Sources1
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 CSS profile · Read the full ESSSuper 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.