Phone 1800 444 396
Web brightersuper.com.au
Email info@brightersuper.com.au
Post GPO Box 264, Brisbane QLD 4001

Brighter Super members benefit from millions in fee reductions

11 February 2026

Brighter Super members were $9.5 million better off in 2025, after the member-owned fund reduced administration fees, through a series of targeted fee changes designed to leave more money in members' accounts.

The year-on-year reduction was driven by a lower percentage-based administration fee, a reduced annual administration fee cap (down from $900 to $6501), and the introduction of Partner Linking, which allows eligible couples to jointly cap their administration fees. Together, these changes meant $9.5 million less was deducted from members' accounts in administration fees in 2025 compared to 20242.

Partner Linking alone saw more than $475,000 returned to members in 2025, enabling couples to link their eligible3 accounts to combine their balances and benefit from a single $650 administration fee cap.

Brighter Super Chief Executive Officer Kate Farrar said the fund works hard to keep fees low for members.  

"We are proud that for three consecutive years the fund has reduced administration fees for members. Lower fees mean more of our members' money stays invested for longer, which can make a meaningful difference to retirement outcomes over time," Ms Farrar said.

The reduction in percentage-based administration fees was achieved while Brighter Super's funds under management grew from $34 billion to $37 billion in the 12 months to 31 December 2025, supported by investment performance and member growth following the fund's mergers.

Ms Farrar said the savings reflected a clear focus on operating efficiency, supported by increased scale, enabling Brighter Super to lower administration fees, while continuing to invest in better services for members.

"We've been very deliberate about how we run the fund. Through disciplined cost management, smart fee design and operational efficiency, we've reduced what members pay and returned savings directly to them."

Brighter Super continues to rank among Australia's lowest-cost MySuper options, charging an average of $386 a year on a $50,000 balance, compared with an average of $448 across all MySuper products and $452 for industry funds' MySuper options, according to SuperRatings data4.

Ms Farrar said fee efficiency and targeted initiatives such as Partner Linking are increasingly important as Australians focus on maximising their retirement savings in a higher-cost environment.

See how our fees compare

 

  1. The $650 administration fee cap does not include the $0.50 per week account keeping fee ($26 per year per account).Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for further information about fees.
  2. Fee savings are based on a comparison of total administration fees charged to members in the 2024 and 2025 calendar years. This reflects an overall reduction in administration fees of the Fund. Individual members may have experienced different levels of fee savings, and in some cases increases, depending on their account balance, product, and investment options.
  3. Eligible accounts include Brighter Super Accumulation (excluding any amounts invested in the MySuper option), KiwiSaver, Transition to Retirement, and Pension accounts.
  4. Brighter Super analysis conducted for 31 December 2025 of SuperRatings SMART Portal fee data, accessed on 22 January 2026. Analysis compares the Total Fee, based on a $50,000 super balance, and considers SuperRatings SR MySuper Index. Average industry fund considers industry funds with no joining restrictions. For more information on the SuperRatings research methodology visit superratings.com.au

Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund.

You should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making any decision to acquire any products. A TMD is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs and TMDs at brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides.

This article provides general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. As such, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your own objectives, financial situation and needs prior to making any decision. You should consult a licensed financial adviser if you require advice which does take into account your personal financial circumstances.