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 Super Retirement Fund
Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Super Retirement Fund
Transferred legacy fund
Super Retirement Fund members moved to National Mutual Retirement Fund on 1 July 2026. The older name still appears in statements and historical data.
Membership
This is a former fund arrangement. Continuing contributions now use the receiving fund's details and the correct product USI. Registration of the old entity does not mean members can remain in it.
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 | Super Retirement Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners. Sources1 | This is a former fund arrangement. Continuing contributions now use the receiving fund's details and the correct product USI. Registration of the old entity does not mean members can remain in it. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Defence Forces Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme. DFRDB pension and scheme benefits Separate MilitarySuper ancillary account where eligible Sources1 | Historical Super Retirement Fund accounts. Members transferred to a dedicated section of National Mutual Retirement Fund immediately after 30 June 2026. Personal Super and SuperSelect PensionSelect SuperWise and SuperLink SuperCARE and Retirement Saver Select Personal Super and pension policies Whole-of-life and endowment super policies Sources123 |
| Insurance | Serving members have built-in death and invalidity protection. Sources1 | Insurance held in an account at the transfer date moved with it. Members should use the current policy records when checking cover or making a claim. 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 | Existing pension payments continue through the receiving fund under their agreed schedules. The transfer itself is different from voluntarily cashing out or surrendering a policy. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Keep the pension and ancillary accumulation account separate. Sources1 | Keep June 2026 historical data under its original fund identity and link members to National Mutual Retirement Fund for current account context. Do not offer Super Retirement Fund as a fund to join. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Investment choices and policy benefits were tied to the individual contract. A June 2026 option return remains historical information about that option; it does not describe all transferred accounts. 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 Super Retirement Fund
The most useful job of this page is to connect an old statement to the current account. Check the receiving fund and product identifiers first. Then assess fees, investments and policy benefits using documents for the transferred section.
Who this profile is for
- Former Super Retirement Fund members checking where their account moved.
- Employers and family members resolving an old fund name or rejected contribution.
What deserves a closer look
- The old fund remained on APRA's September register after member transfer; legal registration and operating account status are different.
- Employers need the new product USI for contributions from 1 July 2026.
- Historical costs should not be treated as a current quote for a transferred policy.
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 Super Retirement Fund
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 Super Retirement Fund profile · Choose another comparison
Sources for DFRDB
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Sources for Super Retirement Fund
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.