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ESSSuper vs Super SA

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 SA

Restricted public sector fund

Super SA provides South Australian public sector schemes with different tax rules, including Triple S and Super SA Select.

Membership

Eligibility depends on SA public sector employment or an eligible existing-member relationship. Some spouses can join Triple S. Limited access to Select continues for qualifying members working outside the SA Government.

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 SA: product features and conditions
What to compareESSSuperSuper SA
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.

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Eligibility depends on SA public sector employment or an eligible existing-member relationship. Some spouses can join Triple S. Limited access to Select continues for qualifying members working outside the SA Government.

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Accounts and products

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

Accumulation Plan

Separate ESSSuper defined benefit schemes

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Triple S and Super SA Select. Closed defined benefit and retirement products need separate assessments.

Triple S

Super SA Select

Flexible Rollover Product

Super SA Income Stream

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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.

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Balanced for Triple S

Triple S has nine options, including indexed, diversified and Cash choices, on the current official product page. Select has its own menu.

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Insurance

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

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Triple S provides eligible members with death, TPD and income protection. Select members retain their insurance through Triple S.

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Comparing investment performance

Use the Accumulation Plan PDS when comparing market investment options.

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Separate Triple S from Select and avoid comparing pre-tax and after-tax balances as if they were equivalent.

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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 SA

Editorial assessment

Tax timing is central to this comparison. Triple S can show a balance that still contains tax payable when money leaves. Compare the spendable retirement outcome, including any rollover tax, alongside fees and investments.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible SA Government employees choosing between their available schemes.
  • Existing members checking how contributions work after leaving the public sector.

What deserves a closer look

  • Triple S is tax-deferred, not tax-free.
  • Moving untaxed money to Select or another taxed fund can trigger tax at transfer.

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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 SA

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 SA 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 SA

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

  1. Super SA Triple S
  2. Super SA explains Triple S tax deferral
  3. Super SA Select comparison
  4. Super SA eligibility outside government