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First Super vs REI Super

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

First Super

Industry fund

First Super has a compact investment menu and offers super, transition-to-retirement and retirement income accounts. Members can get help with their investment choice without a separate advice charge.

Membership

The fund accepts new members through its public joining process. Read the relevant PDS and target market determination before opening an account.

REI Super

Industry fund

REI Super is built around real estate and property work, including the insurance needs of people paid by commission. Membership is open beyond that industry.

Membership

Anyone can join, including people outside real estate, subject to the product rules. Industry membership is not a requirement.

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
MeasureBalanced - accumulationRei Super MySuper
Return basisMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative memberMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per year8.35%8.45%
5-year return, per year6.94%5.61%
7-year return, per year6.62%6.28%
10-year return, per year7.25%6.45%
APRA strategic growth allocation79.50%73.25%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000$560 a year (1.12%)$480 a year (0.96%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)$175 a year$120 a year
2026 performance testPassPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck the current product eligibility rules

Reading these two options

At $50,000, the reported annual total-cost difference is $80. REI Super's selected reporting pathway has the lower reported cost on this measure. The figures cover the year to June 2026; current prices, insurance and separately charged advice can change the comparison.

The growth allocations are 79.50% and 73.25%. A return gap can reflect different exposure to growth assets, and similar headline allocations can still contain different investments.

A performance-test pass is a benchmark result for the tested product or pathway. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of future performance.

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

First Super and REI Super: product features and conditions
What to compareFirst SuperREI Super
Membership and access

The fund accepts new members through its public joining process. Read the relevant PDS and target market determination before opening an account.

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Anyone can join, including people outside real estate, subject to the product rules. Industry membership is not a requirement.

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Accounts and products

Accumulation super, transition-to-retirement account and Retirement Income account.

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Superannuation, transition-to-retirement and pension accounts.

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Investment choices

Balanced is the MySuper default. The other options are Conservative Balanced, Growth, Shares Plus and Cash. Members can split their balance across options.

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Diversified and sector-specific investment options. Members can select their own investment mix.

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Insurance

Insurance through super is available. Check the current insurance guide for the cover offered to your membership category and the cost at your age.

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Death, TPD and income protection are available, depending on age and employment status. The fund specifically describes insurance for commission-based salaries.

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Retirement income

A Retirement Income account allows a choice of investment mix and payment frequency. Pension payments can be fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly, subject to the required annual minimum.

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The default pension strategy combines Balanced and Cash and rebalances the allocation by age. The Cash allocation funds nearer-term income needs, while Balanced retains growth exposure.

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Advice and support

The fund says advice about its investment options is available to members at no extra cost. A wider advice request needs a separate scope and cost check.

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Members can access financial advice, including help with investment choice and retirement. Check the scope and cost of the service requested.

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Fee details to check

The current fees page gives a $50,000 Balanced example of $465.80 a year, including administration, investment and transaction costs, before any additional applicable fees. This is an example for that option and balance, not a universal member bill.

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Use the current schedule for super or pension and the chosen investment option. Compare any insurance quote using the same definition of commission income.

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Comparing investment performance

Compare Balanced with portfolios carrying a similar growth allocation, over the same dates. Shares Plus and Cash have different risk profiles and should not be ranked as though they pursue the same outcome.

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Super and pension performance are published separately. Compare current returns across a shared date range and similar exposure to growth assets.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on First Super

Editorial assessment

A useful shortlist candidate for someone who wants to choose among a small number of diversified strategies rather than manage individual securities.

What deserves a closer look

  • The fixed weekly administration charge matters proportionately more on small balances.
  • A limited menu may not meet a need for direct shares or a specific index exposure.

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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 REI Super

Editorial assessment

Worth investigating for real estate salespeople and property professionals whose earnings pattern makes an ordinary salary-based insurance comparison incomplete.

What deserves a closer look

  • Confirm exactly how the policy defines income and commissions.
  • Age-based pension rebalancing may not match an individual retiree's spending needs or other assets.

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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 First Super and REI Super

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 First Super profile · Read the full REI Super profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for First Super

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

  1. Investment options
  2. Fees and costs
  3. Retirement Income account
  4. Why join First Super

Sources for REI Super

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

  1. Joining and insurance details
  2. Employer product features
  3. Pension investment options
  4. Pension default strategy