Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
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.
Retail fund brand
GuildSuper is retaining its brand while transferring into Smart Future Trust. The transition is still underway on the research date, so current notices matter more than an old fee table.
Use the current GuildSuper joining documents and the transfer notice. The brand remains available, although some member transactions are temporarily limited during the transition.
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 | ESSSuper | GuildSuper |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners. Sources1 | Use the current GuildSuper joining documents and the transfer notice. The brand remains available, although some member transactions are temporarily limited during the transition. Sources12 |
| Accounts and products | This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations. Accumulation Plan Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes Sources1 | GuildSuper accumulation and pension products. Sources12 |
| Investment choices | 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 | The transfer introduces a refreshed investment menu and maps existing balances to comparable new options. Check the mapping for the precise option instead of assuming its old name and asset mix persist. Sources12 |
| Insurance | Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance. Sources1 | The transfer notice says insurance cover and policy terms remain the same, but the insurance administration fee increases. Sources12 |
| Comparing investment performance | Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options. Sources1 | Any future comparison spanning the transfer needs the option mapping and strategy-history note. Do not splice two different strategies without explanation. Sources12 |
| Retirement income | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Pension members remain in GuildSuper. The notice adjusts some September payment dates and temporarily limits member-initiated withdrawals and switches. Sources12 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Use the current contact and advice information in the product disclosure. Confirm the service and price before commissioning personal advice. Sources12 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | New fund details apply to contributions from 5 September 2026. Compare the fee schedule applying after the transfer, including the higher insurance administration fee. The notice says most members are expected to pay lower overall fees, not all members. Sources12 |
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.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Most immediately useful for existing GuildSuper members checking where their account is going and how their particular fees change.
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 ESSSuper profile · Read the full GuildSuper 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.