Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail investment platform
Mason Stevens Super provides an account for an adviser-selected investment portfolio, with super and pension administration in one service.
Access and portfolio arrangements are handled through an adviser. Review the super PDS rather than relying on the wider firm's investment-service material.
Industry fund brand
Media Super remains the super brand for print, media, entertainment, arts and other creative industries within Cbus.
The brand serves its creative-industry community and eligible members under its current products.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
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.
| What to compare | Mason Stevens Super | Media Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Access and portfolio arrangements are handled through an adviser. Review the super PDS rather than relying on the wider firm's investment-service material. Sources123 | The brand serves its creative-industry community and eligible members under its current products. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | Mason Stevens Super and pension. Sources123 | Media Super branded super and retirement products issued within Cbus. Sources1234 |
| Investment choices | The platform gives access to managed investments and portfolio services. The PDS includes a Foundation ETF Balanced example, but that example is not every member's portfolio. Sources123 | Use the current Media Super investment menu. Historic Media Super options are not independent portfolios that remain available alongside Cbus after the merger. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | Ask the adviser to identify the available insurer, eligibility and terms in the current super disclosure before arranging or replacing cover. Sources123 | Insurance terms are product-specific. Creative workers with contract, freelance or irregular work should read the income and employment definitions in their own guide. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | Super and pension accounts have different cash requirements and payment needs. Sources123 | Check the current Media Super retirement product documents and default strategy. Compare retirement returns with retirement returns. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | An adviser helps select and manage the portfolio. Adviser remuneration is additional to the platform's standard cost example. Sources123 | The current site provides advice resources and member assistance. A personal plan needs an explicit scope and fee check. Sources1234 |
| Fee details to check | Include account fees, administration, the cash margin, investment costs and adviser charges. The PDS's worked example uses $48,000 in a model and $2,000 in cash, which affects the result. Sources123 | Use the post-merger Media Super schedule. Its published merger explanation describes investment fee savings but does not mean every historical fee applies today. Sources1234 |
| Comparing investment performance | Assess the selected investments and actual cash allocation. A model's published return does not necessarily include all account and advice costs. Sources123 | Read the pre- and post-merger history note before comparing a long-run Media Super return. Show when an investment strategy changed. Sources1234 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A candidate for an advised member who needs portfolio services and can explain what they add to a simpler diversified option.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
A useful comparison for people in creative industries who value that industry connection and want to check the actual insurance and investment terms.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
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 Mason Stevens Super profile · Read the full Media Super profile · Choose another comparison
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.