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GESB vs Retirement Benefits 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

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.

Retirement Benefits Fund

Closed public sector scheme

RBF retains defined benefit and pension arrangements for eligible Tasmanian public sector members.

Membership

Existing members, preserved members and eligible pensioners should check their particular membership category.

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 Retirement Benefits Fund: product features and conditions
What to compareGESBRetirement Benefits Fund
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

Existing members, preserved members and eligible pensioners should check their particular membership category.

Sources123
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

Tasmania's RBF Contributory Scheme and eligible life pensions.

RBF Contributory Scheme

Eligible RBF Life Pension

Sources123
Investment choices

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

Sources123

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

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

A pension estimate and survivor-benefit terms are more informative than a generic accumulation return.

Sources123
Retirement income

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

RBF life pension eligibility and conversion terms depend on membership history. Some withdrawals can remove access to particular pension conversion terms.

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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 Retirement Benefits Fund

Editorial assessment

A remaining right to an RBF pension can be the most important part of an account. Ask for written confirmation of what would survive a withdrawal or transfer before comparing the balance with another fund.

Who this profile is for

  • Existing Tasmanian RBF members weighing preservation, a lump sum or an eligible pension.

What deserves a closer look

  • This is not a fund open to the general public.
  • Historical pension terms should not be assumed to apply to every member.

Sources123

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 Retirement Benefits 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 GESB profile · Read the full Retirement Benefits Fund 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 Retirement Benefits Fund

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

  1. Tasmanian legislation, continuing closure of contributory scheme
  2. RBF definitions and pension conversion restrictions
  3. RBF pension eligibility and fund ABN