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MilitarySuper vs Super SA

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

MilitarySuper

Closed public sector scheme

MilitarySuper combines a member investment account with an employer benefit calculated under Defence scheme rules.

Membership

Relevant to existing and preserved MSBS members. Returning ADF personnel may have specific re-entry rights.

Super SA

Restricted public sector fund

Super SA provides South Australian public sector schemes with different tax rules, including Triple S and Super SA Select.

Membership

Eligibility depends on SA public sector employment or an eligible existing-member relationship. Some spouses can join Triple S. Limited access to Select continues for qualifying members working outside the SA Government.

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

MilitarySuper and Super SA: product features and conditions
What to compareMilitarySuperSuper SA
Membership and access

Relevant to existing and preserved MSBS members. Returning ADF personnel may have specific re-entry rights.

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Eligibility depends on SA public sector employment or an eligible existing-member relationship. Some spouses can join Triple S. Limited access to Select continues for qualifying members working outside the SA Government.

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Accounts and products

Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS).

Member benefit

Employer benefit

Ancillary benefit

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Triple S and Super SA Select. Closed defined benefit and retirement products need separate assessments.

Triple S

Super SA Select

Flexible Rollover Product

Super SA Income Stream

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Investment choices

Balanced for the member investment component

Members can select Cash, Income Focused, Aggressive or Balanced for member and ancillary benefits.

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Balanced for Triple S

Triple S has nine options, including indexed, diversified and Cash choices, on the current official product page. Select has its own menu.

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Insurance

Serving members have built-in death and invalidity benefits under scheme rules.

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Triple S provides eligible members with death, TPD and income protection. Select members retain their insurance through Triple S.

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Comparing investment performance

ADF Super and MilitarySuper provide different benefit structures.

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Separate Triple S from Select and avoid comparing pre-tax and after-tax balances as if they were equivalent.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on MilitarySuper

Editorial assessment

MilitarySuper needs a service-history comparison. A table of investment fees cannot capture the employer benefit or the effect of discharge and pension choices.

Who this profile is for

  • Existing MSBS members planning contributions, civilian transition or retirement.

What deserves a closer look

  • An MSBS investment return does not measure growth in the whole defined benefit.
  • Check preserved-benefit and re-entry rules before any election to leave the scheme.

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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 Super SA

Editorial assessment

Tax timing is central to this comparison. Triple S can show a balance that still contains tax payable when money leaves. Compare the spendable retirement outcome, including any rollover tax, alongside fees and investments.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible SA Government employees choosing between their available schemes.
  • Existing members checking how contributions work after leaving the public sector.

What deserves a closer look

  • Triple S is tax-deferred, not tax-free.
  • Moving untaxed money to Select or another taxed fund can trigger tax at transfer.

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

Before choosing between MilitarySuper and Super SA

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 Super SA profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for MilitarySuper

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

  1. CSC MilitarySuper overview
  2. ADF Consumer Centre superannuation guide

Sources for Super SA

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

  1. Super SA Triple S
  2. Super SA explains Triple S tax deferral
  3. Super SA Select comparison
  4. Super SA eligibility outside government