Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Industry fund
Equip Super combines a conventional super investment menu with retirement income products and a MyPension investment strategy.
Public joining is available, with separate terms for certain employer and defined benefit arrangements. A workplace plan may differ from the standard accumulation offer.
Restricted public sector fund
ESSSuper's Accumulation Plan serves eligible Victorian emergency services and State Super members, including their spouses.
The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.
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 | Equip Super | ESSSuper |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Public joining is available, with separate terms for certain employer and defined benefit arrangements. A workplace plan may differ from the standard accumulation offer. Sources12345 | The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners. Sources1 |
| Accounts and products | Accumulation super, retirement income and transition-to-retirement accounts, alongside existing defined benefit arrangements. Sources12345 | This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations. Accumulation Plan Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes Sources1 |
| Investment choices | The menu includes diversified and sector options, with MySuper as the default for accumulation members who do not choose. Check the current menu: the Future Focus option closed on 17 June 2026. Sources12345 | Balanced Growth Managed The PDS lists ten options: eight diversified portfolios plus Shares Only and Cash. The default has a ten-year suggested investment timeframe and a High risk rating. Sources1 |
| Insurance | Use the insurance guide for the relevant membership or employer category. Standard and workplace arrangements should not be treated as interchangeable. Sources12345 | Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance. Sources1 |
| Retirement income | MyPension is a strategy for managing retirement savings across investment options. It is not a guaranteed lifetime pension. Sources12345 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Advice and support | Members can receive advice about their super at no extra cost. Ask about the scope and separate fees before proceeding with broader financial planning. Sources12345 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Fee details to check | Use the schedule effective for the current year and chosen product. Equip published investment fee and cost changes effective 1 July 2026. Sources12345 | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. |
| Comparing investment performance | Use current option names and the same account phase. The June 2026 option closure and earlier integration mean old menus and performance screenshots may mislead. Sources12345 | Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options. Sources1 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Worth comparing for someone who wants support moving from super to pension, or who already belongs to an Equip employer plan.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
The accumulation account can complement a defined benefit. Compare each part on its own terms: investment choices and costs for accumulation, benefit rules for the defined benefit.
Sources1
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 Equip Super profile · Read the full ESSSuper 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.