Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Closed public sector scheme
MilitarySuper combines a member investment account with an employer benefit calculated under Defence scheme rules.
Relevant to existing and preserved MSBS members. Returning ADF personnel may have specific re-entry rights.
Retail fund
Perpetual Select offers a focused menu of diversified and single-sector investments for super and retirement.
Personal super is offered to employees and self-employed people. The published minimum initial investment is $3,000, with separate arrangements for a savings plan.
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 | MilitarySuper | Perpetual Select |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Relevant to existing and preserved MSBS members. Returning ADF personnel may have specific re-entry rights. Sources12 | Personal super is offered to employees and self-employed people. The published minimum initial investment is $3,000, with separate arrangements for a savings plan. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS). Member benefit Employer benefit Ancillary benefit Sources12 | Select Super Plan and Pension Plan; older term allocated pension accounts have separate restrictions. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | Balanced for the member investment component Members can select Cash, Income Focused, Aggressive or Balanced for member and ancillary benefits. Sources12 | The menu covers diversified, Australian-share, international-share and cash choices. The Diversified and High Growth super options closed on 23 April 2026. Sources123 |
| Insurance | Serving members have built-in death and invalidity benefits under scheme rules. Sources12 | Optional death, disability and salary-continuance cover is available under the insurance disclosure. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | ADF Super and MilitarySuper provide different benefit structures. Sources12 | Check the option's current underlying fund and investment arrangements before treating a long historical return as an unchanged strategy. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Account-based and transition-to-retirement pension arrangements are available; the term allocated pension is closed to new investors. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Members can select options themselves or seek advice. A manager's diversified option still needs to match the member's risk tolerance. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Read the June 2026 PDS with the additional fees-and-costs information. Investment charges, spreads, administration, insurance and advice may all apply. Sources123 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
MilitarySuper needs a service-history comparison. A table of investment fees cannot capture the employer benefit or the effect of discharge and pension choices.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
May suit someone who wants managed diversification or selected sector exposure from the Select range.
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 MilitarySuper profile · Read the full Perpetual Select 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.