Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Retail fund brand
Nationwide Super offers an age-based default, a personalised GoalTracker Plus strategy and a menu for members who want to choose investments themselves.
Employer and personal membership terms differ, particularly for automatic insurance.
Retail fund brand
Virgin Money Super is a Mercer Super Trust product with an age-based LifeStage Tracker default and index-oriented choices.
Public membership under the Virgin Money product rules.
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 | Nationwide Super | Virgin Money Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Employer and personal membership terms differ, particularly for automatic insurance. Sources123 | Public membership under the Virgin Money product rules. Sources1234 |
| Accounts and products | Nationwide Super products within Russell Investments Master Trust. Sources123 | Virgin Money Super. Sources1234 |
| Investment choices | GoalTracker MySuper adjusts by age. GoalTracker Plus uses information the member supplies; members can instead choose diversified, low-carbon, sector or indexed options. Sources123 | LifeStage Tracker changes the asset mix with age. Choice investments include diversified and sector index strategies and Cash. Sources1234 |
| Insurance | Eligible employer members receive automatic Death and TPD. Income Protection requires an application and insurer acceptance. Sources123 | Automatic and tailored cover are available subject to eligibility. Premiums and a separate insurance cost-recovery charge apply. Sources1234 |
| Retirement income | Check the current retirement product documents and advice service for the account you plan to use. Sources123 | The reviewed super pages do not establish a dedicated Virgin Money pension account; check the intended retirement-income pathway. Sources1234 |
| Advice and support | A Super Adviser service can help with investments and insurance. Ask what is included and what incurs a fee. Sources123 | Member support can explain the product. Ask which personal advice services are available and what they cost. Sources1234 |
| Fee details to check | Use Nationwide's own insurance, fees and costs guide. A shared Russell APRA product label is not evidence that all brands have identical costs. Sources123 | The current fee page separates a $58 annual fixed administration fee, a balance-based administration charge, administration costs, option fees and transaction costs. A low investment fee is not a low total fee by itself. Sources1234 |
| Comparing investment performance | Published returns are net of investment fees, investment taxes where applicable and the trustee administration fee. GoalTracker Plus members should use their own statement for personalised returns. Sources123 | Compare the correct LifeStage cohort or selected option, including all relevant costs. Sources1234 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Worth examining for someone who wants help setting an investment strategy but wants to retain the option to build their own mix.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Worth comparing for someone seeking that default structure or who can use the product's specific benefits.
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 Nationwide Super profile · Read the full Virgin Money 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.