Closed public sector scheme
DFRDB
DFRDB is a closed Defence pension scheme with benefits determined by salary and service rules.
THE OVERVIEW
About DFRDB
It closed to new entrants in September 1991. Member and productivity contributions go to consolidated revenue, rather than an individual market investment account.
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Who can join
The scheme serves eligible existing members and pensioners.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Our take
DFRDB belongs in an explanation of retirement entitlements. It does not belong in a league table of funds to switch into. The value of pension income and any commutation decision needs individual calculation.
Who this profile is for
- Current DFRDB members and pensioners reviewing entitlements.
What deserves a closer look
- Any investment menu applies to a separate ancillary account, not to the core DFRDB pension.
- A commutation changes the form of retirement benefits; compare its full effect before deciding.
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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 NUMBERS
Fees and investment returns
Use the product, investment option and employer plan on your statement. Lifecycle members need to choose the relevant stage. APRA's investment pathways may include closed options held by existing members.
No investment pathway has been matched to this profile in the June 2026 APRA package. Read the fee and performance notes below and use the fund's current documents. Absence from this dataset is not a performance-test failure.
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.
A CLOSER LOOK
Inside DFRDB
Accounts and products
Defence Forces Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme.
DFRDB pension and scheme benefits
Separate MilitarySuper ancillary account where eligible
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Insurance
Serving members have built-in death and invalidity protection.
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Retirement income
Service and super salary affect retirement pay. Eligible members can consider a pension and an optional lump-sum commutation under scheme rules.
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Comparing investment performance
Keep the pension and ancillary accumulation account separate.
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Sources for DFRDB
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.