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ESSSuper vs PSSap

Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.

By SuperGuru Group · Research checked 11 September 2026 · Historical APRA figures to 30 June 2026

ESSSuper

Restricted public sector fund

ESSSuper's Accumulation Plan serves eligible Victorian emergency services and State Super members, including their spouses.

Membership

The March 2026 PDS identifies current or former Victorian emergency services employees, State Super members and eligible spouses or de facto partners.

PSSap

Restricted public sector fund

PSSap is CSC's accumulation fund for eligible current and former Australian Government employees.

Membership

Joining normally requires eligible government employment. After 12 continuous months in eligible employment, a member can receive contributions from other employers. Some CSS and PSS members can open a personal accumulation account, subject to eligibility.

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.

APRA product data to 30 June 2026
MeasureChoose an investment optionPSSap MySuper
Return basisChoose an optionMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per yearChoose an option9.74%
5-year return, per yearChoose an option6.77%
7-year return, per yearChoose an option7.10%
10-year return, per yearChoose an option7.57%
APRA strategic growth allocationChoose an option69.06%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000Choose an option$455 a year (0.91%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)Choose an option$75 a year
2026 performance testChoose an optionPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck the current product eligibility rules

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

ESSSuper and PSSap: product features and conditions
What to compareESSSuperPSSap
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

Joining normally requires eligible government employment. After 12 continuous months in eligible employment, a member can receive contributions from other employers. Some CSS and PSS members can open a personal accumulation account, subject to eligibility.

Sources123
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

Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan. CSCri retirement accounts use the same fund ABN but have separate terms.

PSSap employer-sponsored membership

PSSap personal accumulation

CSCri retirement income

Sources123
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

PSSap MySuper Balanced

Members can choose among four investment options. The MySuper comparison applies to Balanced; it does not describe every PSSap account.

Sources123
Insurance

Eligible members can access death-only, death and TPD, or income protection insurance.

Sources1

lifePLUS can provide death, total and permanent disability and income protection cover. Automatic cover depends on eligibility.

Sources123
Comparing investment performance

Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options.

Sources1

Use the same balance, investment risk and reporting date on both sides.

Sources123
Retirement income

This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents.

CSCri is a separate retirement income product. Its fees and tax treatment need a separate comparison.

Sources123

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on ESSSuper

Editorial assessment

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.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible emergency services and State Super members wanting an accumulation account, and eligible partners.

What deserves a closer look

  • Membership is restricted.
  • The default's name does not make it low risk.
  • An accumulation account's return does not measure a member's 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

Our take on PSSap

Editorial assessment

PSSap deserves a place on an eligible employee's shortlist, especially when assessing their employment package. Check the contribution and insurance arrangements attached to the job before comparing funds on fees alone.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible government employees assessing an accumulation account.
  • Former eligible employees who want to keep contributing after changing employers.

What deserves a closer look

  • PSSap and PSS are different schemes. A decision involving a PSS defined benefit needs a separate benefit assessment.
  • Public sector employment does not automatically make every person eligible; participating-employer rules matter.

Sources123

Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between ESSSuper and PSSap

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 PSSap profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for ESSSuper

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. ESSSuper Accumulation Plan PDS, 1 March 2026

Sources for PSSap

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. CSC PSSap product overview
  2. CSC membership eligibility
  3. CSC fund history and identifiers