How this calculator works
The one-off cost of switching has two components:
- Buy/sell spread on the new fund. When your money lands in the new fund, the trustee applies a buy spread (typically 0.10%–0.30% of the amount being invested) to cover the cost of buying the underlying assets. The exiting fund usually doesn't charge a sell spread on rollovers, but if it does, that adds to the total.
- Lost return during the rollover period. A typical SuperStream rollover settles in 3–7 business days, but real-world timing varies — paper rollovers, defined-benefit components, and unusual investment-option structures can push the timeline to 10–20 business days. During that window, your balance is out of the market. We default to 10 business days as a realistic mid-point.
The annual fee saving is simply: (annual fee at current fund) − (annual fee at new fund) at the balance you've specified, using each fund's MySuper default-option fee structure.
The breakeven point is one-off cost ÷ annual saving — the number of years before the cumulative ongoing fee savings cover the one-off switching cost.
What this calculator doesn't capture
- Insurance changes. If you have death/TPD or income-protection cover inside your current fund, that cover usually does not automatically follow you. Take out replacement cover before initiating the rollover, or you may be uninsured during a gap period.
- Investment-option differences. If you're rolling from a balanced option into a more growth-oriented or more defensive option, your expected return will change — sometimes substantially. The calculator assumes both funds run a similar MySuper asset allocation.
- Defined-benefit entitlements. If any portion of your super is in a defined-benefit fund (PSS, CSS, UniSuper DBD, etc.), do not use this calculator to decide on a rollover. DB entitlements are almost always worth more than their commutation value. See our defined-benefit funds guide.
- Tax implications on contributions. The rollover itself is a tax-free event, but if you're mid-year and have already made concessional contributions to the existing fund, the rollover paperwork affects which fund receives the contribution-cap "credit."
Related
- Super Comparison Calculator — long-term projection across the full retirement window
- How to Roll Over Your Super — Step by Step
- Insurance Inside Super
- Cheapest super fund by balance
Reviewed by Jarrod, Editor · DecisionLab
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Methodology
Important information
The information on SuperFind is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation, needs, or objectives. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial decisions about your superannuation, consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser. Super fund data including fees and performance returns shown on this site were current as of April 2026 — always verify figures on the fund's website. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Data sourced from APRA, ATO, and individual fund disclosures. Read our methodology for how figures are calculated and our about page for editorial policy. SuperFind is a DecisionLab publication.