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 Perpetual Select
Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Perpetual Select
Retail fund
Perpetual Select offers a focused menu of diversified and single-sector investments for super and retirement.
Membership
Personal super is offered to employees and self-employed people. The published minimum initial investment is $3,000, with separate arrangements for a savings plan.
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.
Choose an investment option to see the figures
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.
How the products differ
| What to compare | DFRDB | Perpetual Select |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners. Sources1 | Personal super is offered to employees and self-employed people. The published minimum initial investment is $3,000, with separate arrangements for a savings plan. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Defence Forces Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme. DFRDB pension and scheme benefits Separate MilitarySuper ancillary account where eligible Sources1 | Select Super Plan and Pension Plan; older term allocated pension accounts have separate restrictions. Sources123 |
| Insurance | Serving members have built-in death and invalidity protection. Sources1 | Optional death, disability and salary-continuance cover is available under the insurance disclosure. Sources123 |
| 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 | Account-based and transition-to-retirement pension arrangements are available; the term allocated pension is closed to new investors. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Keep the pension and ancillary accumulation account separate. Sources1 | Check the option's current underlying fund and investment arrangements before treating a long historical return as an unchanged strategy. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | The menu covers diversified, Australian-share, international-share and cash choices. The Diversified and High Growth super options closed on 23 April 2026. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Members can select options themselves or seek advice. A manager's diversified option still needs to match the member's risk tolerance. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Read the June 2026 PDS with the additional fees-and-costs information. Investment charges, spreads, administration, insurance and advice may all apply. Sources123 |
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 Perpetual Select
May suit someone who wants managed diversification or selected sector exposure from the Select range.
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 Perpetual Select
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 Perpetual Select profile · Choose another comparison
Sources for DFRDB
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Sources for Perpetual Select
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.