Closed public sector scheme
PSS
PSS is a closed defined benefit scheme for eligible Australian Government employees.
THE OVERVIEW
About PSS
The scheme closed to new members in 2005. For contributors, the benefit uses final average salary and an accrued benefit multiple influenced by contributions, service and hours worked.
Who can join
Existing contributors and preserved members retain scheme-specific rights. Limited re-entry rules can apply when returning to eligible employment.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
Our take
Contribution choices and retirement timing can matter more here than a published investment return. A benefit estimate tied to your employment history is the useful starting point.
Who this profile is for
- Existing PSS members considering contributions, preservation or retirement.
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 PSS
Accounts and products
Public Sector Superannuation Scheme. This is different from PSSap.
PSS defined benefit
Preserved benefit
Eligible PSSap ancillary account
Investment choices
Contributors use the default fund. Preserved members can choose Default or Cash for funded amounts.
Insurance
Contributing members receive built-in death and invalidity cover, subject to scheme conditions.
Retirement income
Eligible benefits may be paid as an indexed pension, a lump sum or a combination.
Comparing investment performance
Do not rank the defined benefit using accumulation investment returns.
THE LEGAL FUND
Fund size in APRA's annual reporting
Public Sector Superannuation Scheme
At 30 June 2025. These are legal-fund totals, which can include several products and more than one account per person.
APRA annual fund-level statistics, June 2025. These older totals can differ substantially after mergers. Size is not a measure of suitability or investment quality.
Sources for PSS
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.