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.
Retail fund brand
Nationwide Super offers an age-based default, a personalised GoalTracker Plus strategy and a menu for members who want to choose investments themselves.
Employer and personal membership terms differ, particularly for automatic insurance.
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 | Nationwide Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Relevant to existing contributors, deferred members and pensioners. Some returning employees must or may resume contributing. Sources12 | Employer and personal membership terms differ, particularly for automatic insurance. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme, including defined benefit and accumulation components. CSS defined benefit CSS accumulation component Sources12 | Nationwide Super products within Russell Investments Master Trust. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | Investment earnings affect the funded component; they are only part of the overall benefit calculation. Sources12 | GoalTracker MySuper adjusts by age. GoalTracker Plus uses information the member supplies; members can instead choose diversified, low-carbon, sector or indexed options. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | The main retirement benefit is generally a pension. Age, service, reason for leaving and sometimes final salary affect its calculation. Sources12 | Check the current retirement product documents and advice service for the account you plan to use. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Explain benefits beside other schemes without treating CSS as a fund anyone can join. Sources12 | Published returns are net of investment fees, investment taxes where applicable and the trustee administration fee. GoalTracker Plus members should use their own statement for personalised returns. Sources123 |
| Insurance | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Eligible employer members receive automatic Death and TPD. Income Protection requires an application and insurer acceptance. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | A Super Adviser service can help with investments and insurance. Ask what is included and what incurs a fee. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Use Nationwide's own insurance, fees and costs guide. A shared Russell APRA product label is not evidence that all brands have identical costs. Sources123 |
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
Worth examining for someone who wants help setting an investment strategy but wants to retain the option to build their own mix.
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 Nationwide 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.