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Pearler Super vs Retirement Benefits Fund

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

Pearler Super

Retail fund brand

Pearler Super is a digital accumulation account for members who want to choose ETFs and other approved ASX securities.

Membership

The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded.

Retirement Benefits Fund

Closed public sector scheme

RBF retains defined benefit and pension arrangements for eligible Tasmanian public sector members.

Membership

Existing members, preserved members and eligible pensioners should check their particular membership category.

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

Pearler Super and Retirement Benefits Fund: product features and conditions
What to comparePearler SuperRetirement Benefits Fund
Membership and access

The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded.

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Existing members, preserved members and eligible pensioners should check their particular membership category.

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Accounts and products

Pearler Personal Super accumulation.

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Tasmania's RBF Contributory Scheme and eligible life pensions.

RBF Contributory Scheme

Eligible RBF Life Pension

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Investment choices

Members can choose from a menu of ETFs and other ASX-listed securities through the Pearler apps.

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

Insurance

There is no integrated insurance. Moving an entire balance from another fund can end the cover held there.

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

Retirement income

The current PDS does not offer a pension account.

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RBF life pension eligibility and conversion terms depend on membership history. Some withdrawals can remove access to particular pension conversion terms.

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Advice and support

The app offers investment tools. Any advice arrangement should be assessed separately from access to those tools.

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

Fee details to check

Administration fees apply to the first $500,000, with eligible family-group caps. Add underlying investment costs, transactions and the effect of the cash account.

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

Comparing investment performance

Performance depends on the actual securities and cash held. There is no single Pearler portfolio return that applies to everyone.

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A pension estimate and survivor-benefit terms are more informative than a generic accumulation return.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Pearler Super

Editorial assessment

May suit a member who can construct and maintain a diversified listed portfolio and has separately considered insurance.

What deserves a closer look

  • At least 2% of the balance or $200, whichever is greater, must remain in cash.
  • No pension or integrated insurance is currently offered.

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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 Retirement Benefits Fund

Editorial assessment

A remaining right to an RBF pension can be the most important part of an account. Ask for written confirmation of what would survive a withdrawal or transfer before comparing the balance with another fund.

Who this profile is for

  • Existing Tasmanian RBF members weighing preservation, a lump sum or an eligible pension.

What deserves a closer look

  • This is not a fund open to the general public.
  • Historical pension terms should not be assumed to apply to every member.

Sources123

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

Before choosing between Pearler Super and Retirement Benefits Fund

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 Pearler Super profile · Read the full Retirement Benefits Fund profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for Pearler Super

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

  1. Pearler Super PDS
  2. Insurance availability
  3. Pricing and legal fund

Sources for Retirement Benefits Fund

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

  1. Tasmanian legislation, continuing closure of contributory scheme
  2. RBF definitions and pension conversion restrictions
  3. RBF pension eligibility and fund ABN