superguru
MenuClose menu

GESB vs GuildSuper

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

GESB

Restricted public sector fund

GESB administers several Western Australian public sector schemes, so the account name is essential to a useful comparison.

Membership

GESB Super is available to current WA public sector employees and qualifying continuing members after moving into private employment. West State and Gold State are closed to new members.

GuildSuper

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.

Membership

Use the current GuildSuper joining documents and the transfer notice. The brand remains available, although some member transactions are temporarily limited during the transition.

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

GESB and GuildSuper: product features and conditions
What to compareGESBGuildSuper
Membership and access

GESB Super is available to current WA public sector employees and qualifying continuing members after moving into private employment. West State and Gold State are closed to new members.

Sources123

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

GESB Super accumulation. West State Super, Gold State Super and retirement accounts have different structures and identifiers.

GESB Super

West State Super

Gold State Super

Retirement Income Pension

Sources123

GuildSuper accumulation and pension products.

Sources12
Investment choices

Choose and compare options within the relevant account. A common administrator does not make the schemes interchangeable.

Sources123

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
Comparing investment performance

GESB is a state government scheme outside the APRA RSE fund register; absence from that register does not mean it is not a legitimate fund.

Sources123

Any future comparison spanning the transfer needs the option mapping and strategy-history note. Do not splice two different strategies without explanation.

Sources12
Insurance

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

The transfer notice says insurance cover and policy terms remain the same, but the insurance administration fee increases.

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

Our take on GESB

Editorial assessment

Identify the scheme before doing any fee or return comparison. For someone holding West State or Gold State, the first issue is the value and tax treatment of existing rights, not the convenience of combining accounts.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible WA public sector employees and existing GESB members.

What deserves a closer look

  • A closed West State or Gold State account cannot be reopened after closure.
  • Untaxed does not mean tax-free; tax timing can affect rollover outcomes.

Sources123

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 GuildSuper

Editorial assessment

Most immediately useful for existing GuildSuper members checking where their account is going and how their particular fees change.

What deserves a closer look

  • The scheduled account transfer is 12 September 2026, with services expected to resume on 14 September; it is not complete on 11 September.
  • Some member transactions are unavailable from 4 to 14 September. The new contribution identifiers started earlier than the account transfer.

Sources12

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

Before choosing between GESB and GuildSuper

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 GESB profile · Read the full GuildSuper profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for GESB

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

  1. GESB accounts and features
  2. GESB consolidation and reopening restrictions
  3. ATO Super Fund Lookup GESB Super

Sources for GuildSuper

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

  1. September 2026 transfer details
  2. Future Group partnership