DFRDB
Closed public sector scheme
DFRDB is a closed Defence pension scheme with benefits determined by salary and service rules.
Membership
The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners.
DFRDB vs Hostplus
Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Hostplus
Industry fund
Hostplus has a broad menu spanning active diversified portfolios, indexed options, socially responsible options and Choiceplus direct investments.
Membership
Membership is generally available to people who meet Australian residence, tax residence or eligible-employment conditions. Product and insurance eligibility still apply.
Compare fees and investment returns
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
| Measure | Choose an investment option | Hostplus MySuper |
|---|---|---|
| Return basis | Choose an option | MySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member |
| 3-year return, per year | Choose an option | 9.48% |
| 5-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.46% |
| 7-year return, per year | Choose an option | 7.89% |
| 10-year return, per year | Choose an option | 8.70% |
| APRA strategic growth allocation | Choose an option | 80.35% |
| Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000 | Choose an option | $655 a year (1.31%) |
| Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total) | Choose an option | $120 a year |
| 2026 performance test | Choose an option | Pass |
| New-member status at reporting date | Check the current product eligibility rules | Check the current product eligibility rules |
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.
How the products differ
| What to compare | DFRDB | Hostplus |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners. Sources1 | Membership is generally available to people who meet Australian residence, tax residence or eligible-employment conditions. Product and insurance eligibility still apply. Sources6 |
| Accounts and products | Defence Forces Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme. DFRDB pension and scheme benefits Separate MilitarySuper ancillary account where eligible Sources1 | Hostplus super, Pension and Transition to Retirement products. Hostplus super Hostplus Pension Hostplus Transition to Retirement Choiceplus direct investment option CPIplus pension investment option Sources7 |
| Insurance | Serving members have built-in death and invalidity protection. Sources1 | Eligible members can receive default death and TPD insurance. Hostplus tells members to check their current cover and cost in the account and review whether the amount meets their needs. Premiums reduce the balance left for retirement. Sources4 |
| Retirement income | Service and super salary affect retirement pay. Eligible members can consider a pension and an optional lump-sum commutation under scheme rules. Sources1 | Hostplus has Pension and Transition to Retirement accounts. Pension members can use Choiceplus and CPIplus, but those two options are not available in the TTR account. CPIplus aims for a predetermined return above inflation for a stated return period; its terms need separate reading. Sources25 |
| Comparing investment performance | Keep the pension and ancillary accumulation account separate. Sources1 | Compare the exact portfolio and asset allocation. Hostplus's pension option pages publish returns net of investment fees and costs, with administration and other fees still applying. A pension return should not be placed next to a taxed accumulation return without explanation. Show Balanced and Indexed Balanced as separate options. Avoid ranking the whole fund using the cheapest investment option's fee. Sources2 |
| Investment choices | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Balanced The menu includes diversified active and indexed options, sector investments and socially responsible options. Choiceplus allows eligible members to buy selected ASX 300 shares, ETFs, listed investment companies and term deposits. The low investment cost of an indexed option should not be confused with the price of the default Balanced option. Sources12 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Hostplus offers access to financial planners and identifies separate advice costs and eligibility conditions for services such as SuperSmart. Ask what is covered in the membership fee and what requires an additional payment. Sources4 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Hostplus publishes a cost-of-product figure for each option. Use that full figure and its assumptions, then account for insurance and direct-investment costs. Its investment costs are estimates based on prior experience; a very low indexed investment fee is not the total account charge. Sources3 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Our take on DFRDB
DFRDB belongs in an explanation of retirement entitlements. It does not belong in a league table of funds to switch into. The value of pension income and any commutation decision needs individual calculation.
Who this profile is for
- Current DFRDB members and pensioners reviewing entitlements.
What deserves a closer look
- Any investment menu applies to a separate ancillary account, not to the core DFRDB pension.
- A commutation changes the form of retirement benefits; compare its full effect before deciding.
Sources1
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Our take on Hostplus
Hostplus is particularly useful when the question is how much investment choice you want. Its indexed range gives cost-conscious members something concrete to compare, while Choiceplus serves a more involved investor. Check the default separately; the existence of a low-cost option does not mean you are invested in it.
Who might put it on their shortlist
- People building a shortlist of indexed super portfolios.
- Members who want direct listed investments without establishing an SMSF.
- Retirees comparing ordinary diversified investments with a separately structured inflation-linked option.
What deserves a closer look
- Choiceplus adds trading decisions, restrictions and costs.
- Options with similar names can have different growth-asset weights.
- CPIplus is an investment option with its own provider and product risks; its return target should not be presented as a government-guaranteed deposit rate.
- Choiceplus and CPIplus are unavailable in the TTR product.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
Before choosing between DFRDB and Hostplus
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 DFRDB profile · Read the full Hostplus profile · Choose another comparison
Sources for DFRDB
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Sources for Hostplus
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.