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Hostplus vs PSS

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

Hostplus

Industry fund

Hostplus has a broad menu spanning active diversified portfolios, indexed options, socially responsible options and Choiceplus direct investments.

Membership

Membership is generally available to people who meet Australian residence, tax residence or eligible-employment conditions. Product and insurance eligibility still apply.

PSS

Closed public sector scheme

PSS is a closed defined benefit scheme for eligible Australian Government employees.

Membership

Existing contributors and preserved members retain scheme-specific rights. Limited re-entry rules can apply when returning to eligible employment.

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
MeasureHostplus MySuperChoose an investment option
Return basisMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative memberChoose an option
3-year return, per year9.48%Choose an option
5-year return, per year7.46%Choose an option
7-year return, per year7.89%Choose an option
10-year return, per year8.70%Choose an option
APRA strategic growth allocation80.35%Choose an option
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000$655 a year (1.31%)Choose an option
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)$120 a yearChoose an option
2026 performance testPassChoose an option
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck the current product eligibility rules

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

Hostplus and PSS: product features and conditions
What to compareHostplusPSS
Membership and access

Membership is generally available to people who meet Australian residence, tax residence or eligible-employment conditions. Product and insurance eligibility still apply.

Sources6

Existing contributors and preserved members retain scheme-specific rights. Limited re-entry rules can apply when returning to eligible employment.

Sources12
Accounts and products

Hostplus super, Pension and Transition to Retirement products.

Hostplus super

Hostplus Pension

Hostplus Transition to Retirement

Choiceplus direct investment option

CPIplus pension investment option

Sources7

Public Sector Superannuation Scheme. This is different from PSSap.

PSS defined benefit

Preserved benefit

Eligible PSSap ancillary account

Sources12
Investment choices

Balanced

The menu includes diversified active and indexed options, sector investments and socially responsible options. Choiceplus allows eligible members to buy selected ASX 300 shares, ETFs, listed investment companies and term deposits. The low investment cost of an indexed option should not be confused with the price of the default Balanced option.

Sources12

Contributors use the default fund. Preserved members can choose Default or Cash for funded amounts.

Sources12
Insurance

Eligible members can receive default death and TPD insurance. Hostplus tells members to check their current cover and cost in the account and review whether the amount meets their needs. Premiums reduce the balance left for retirement.

Sources4

Contributing members receive built-in death and invalidity cover, subject to scheme conditions.

Sources12
Retirement income

Hostplus has Pension and Transition to Retirement accounts. Pension members can use Choiceplus and CPIplus, but those two options are not available in the TTR account. CPIplus aims for a predetermined return above inflation for a stated return period; its terms need separate reading.

Sources25

Eligible benefits may be paid as an indexed pension, a lump sum or a combination.

Sources12
Advice and support

Hostplus offers access to financial planners and identifies separate advice costs and eligibility conditions for services such as SuperSmart. Ask what is covered in the membership fee and what requires an additional payment.

Sources4

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

Fee details to check

Hostplus publishes a cost-of-product figure for each option. Use that full figure and its assumptions, then account for insurance and direct-investment costs. Its investment costs are estimates based on prior experience; a very low indexed investment fee is not the total account charge.

Sources3

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

Comparing investment performance

Compare the exact portfolio and asset allocation. Hostplus's pension option pages publish returns net of investment fees and costs, with administration and other fees still applying. A pension return should not be placed next to a taxed accumulation return without explanation.

Show Balanced and Indexed Balanced as separate options.

Avoid ranking the whole fund using the cheapest investment option's fee.

Sources2

Do not rank the defined benefit using accumulation investment returns.

Sources12

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Hostplus

Editorial assessment

Hostplus is particularly useful when the question is how much investment choice you want. Its indexed range gives cost-conscious members something concrete to compare, while Choiceplus serves a more involved investor. Check the default separately; the existence of a low-cost option does not mean you are invested in it.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • People building a shortlist of indexed super portfolios.
  • Members who want direct listed investments without establishing an SMSF.
  • Retirees comparing ordinary diversified investments with a separately structured inflation-linked option.

What deserves a closer look

  • Choiceplus adds trading decisions, restrictions and costs.
  • Options with similar names can have different growth-asset weights.
  • CPIplus is an investment option with its own provider and product risks; its return target should not be presented as a government-guaranteed deposit rate.
  • Choiceplus and CPIplus are unavailable in the TTR product.

Sources25

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 PSS

Editorial assessment

Contribution choices and retirement timing can matter more here than a published investment return. A benefit estimate tied to your employment history is the useful starting point.

Who this profile is for

  • Existing PSS members considering contributions, preservation or retirement.

What deserves a closer look

  • PSS and PSSap should never be combined into one comparison entry.
  • Opting out has scheme-specific consequences and does not necessarily release preserved benefits.

Sources12

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

Before choosing between Hostplus and PSS

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 Hostplus profile · Read the full PSS profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for Hostplus

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

  1. Investment holdings and current menu
  2. Pension investment options
  3. Super fees and charges
  4. Manage insurance and advice access
  5. CPIplus
  6. Hostplus core PDS membership eligibility
  7. Hostplus products, fees and performance

Sources for PSS

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

  1. CSC PSS overview
  2. CSC membership eligibility