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 Team Super
Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Team Super
Industry fund
Team Super is the fund formed from Mine Super and TWUSUPER. Its specialist focus is transport, energy and mining.
Membership
The fund serves workers in its core industries and other eligible members. Former Mine and TWUSUPER members should check their current division and insurance documents.
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 | Team Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners. Sources1 | The fund serves workers in its core industries and other eligible members. Former Mine and TWUSUPER members should check their current division and insurance documents. Sources12345 |
| Accounts and products | Defence Forces Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme. DFRDB pension and scheme benefits Separate MilitarySuper ancillary account where eligible Sources1 | Superannuation, pre-retirement pension and account-based pension. Sources12345 |
| Insurance | Serving members have built-in death and invalidity protection. Sources1 | Insurance divisions reflect the industries the fund serves. The merger included premium and definition changes, so a pre-merger quote is not enough to compare current cover. Sources12345 |
| 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 | Both pre-retirement and account-based pensions are available, with their own investment and fee disclosures. Sources12345 |
| Comparing investment performance | Keep the pension and ancillary accumulation account separate. Sources1 | Read the option history carefully around the merger and any strategy changes. A long record can include a predecessor portfolio and is not automatically the record of every former TWUSUPER option. Sources12345 |
| Investment choices | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Pre-mixed and single-asset options let members build their own mix. Pension and super defaults follow the rules for their particular account, rather than a single default being suitable for every member. Sources12345 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Team offers a complimentary initial appointment. Advice on how the account is invested is available at no extra cost; other personal advice has separate fees. Sources12345 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | The merger page advertises a fixed super administration charge of 75 cents a week. Add any percentage administration charge, investment costs, transaction costs and insurance from the current super PDS. Pension fees use a different schedule. Sources12345 |
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 Team Super
A relevant comparison for workers whose occupation makes insurance definitions, exclusions and claims support especially important.
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 Team Super
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 Team Super profile · Choose another comparison
Sources for DFRDB
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Sources for Team Super
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.