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ESSSuper vs Super Retirement Fund

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.

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

ESSSuper and Super Retirement Fund: product features and conditions
What to compareESSSuperSuper Retirement Fund
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

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

This profile focuses on the ESSSuper Accumulation Plan; defined benefit memberships require separate calculations.

Accumulation Plan

Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes

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
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

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
Insurance

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

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
Comparing investment performance

Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options.

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
Retirement income

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

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

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 Super Retirement Fund

Editorial assessment

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.

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 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 ESSSuper profile · Read the full Super Retirement Fund 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 Super Retirement Fund

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

  1. Resolution Life transfer details and product USI mapping
  2. Trustee confirmation of the completed transfer
  3. APRA registered entity list