Quick Verdict
Spirit Super is cheaper at $50k ($428/yr vs $501/yr). Spirit Super leads on 10-year returns (7.50% vs 7.00%).
Fund Overview
LegalSuper
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 1988 |
| Trustee | LegalSuper Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | VIC |
| Members | 50K |
| Assets (AUM) | $8B |
Spirit Super
| Type | Industry |
| Established | 2021 |
| Trustee | Spirit Super Pty Ltd |
| HQ State | TAS |
| Members | 340K |
| Assets (AUM) | $28B |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Component | LegalSuper | Spirit Super |
|---|
| Admin Fee (flat) | $156 | $78 |
| Admin Fee (%) | 0.18% | 0.14% |
| Investment Fee | 0.45% | 0.50% |
| Indirect Cost Ratio | 0.06% | 0.06% |
| Buy/Sell Spread | 0.08% | 0.10% |
Total Annual Fee by Balance
| Balance | LegalSuper | Spirit Super |
|---|
| $10,000 | $225 | $148 |
| $25,000 | $328 | $253 |
| $50,000 | $501 | $428 |
| $100,000 | $846 | $778 |
| $250,000 | $1,881 | $1,828 |
| $500,000 | $3,606 | $3,578 |
Performance Comparison
| Period | LegalSuper | Spirit Super |
|---|
| 1-Year | 10.50% | 10.80% |
| 3-Year | 7.00% | 7.50% |
| 5-Year | 7.00% | 7.50% |
| 7-Year | 7.20% | 7.80% |
| 10-Year | 7.00% | 7.50% |
| FY2024 | 8.00% | 8.20% |
| FY2023 | 9.20% | 9.50% |
| FY2022 | -3.50% | -2.80% |
| FY2021 | 17.50% | 18.50% |
| FY2020 | -0.80% | -0.50% |
| FY2019 | 7.20% | 7.50% |
| FY2018 | 9.00% | 9.50% |
| FY2017 | 11.20% | 11.50% |
| FY2016 | 3.00% | 3.50% |
| FY2015 | 9.20% | 9.50% |
Insurance Comparison
LegalSuper
| Insurer | AIA Australia |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
Spirit Super
| Insurer | TAL Life Limited |
| Death Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| TPD Cover | Yes — opt-out |
| IP Cover | Yes — opt-in |
APRA Heatmap Ratings
LegalSuper
| Fee Rating | Above median |
| Return Rating | Below median |
| Sustainability | Underperforming |
Spirit Super
| Fee Rating | Around median |
| Return Rating | Around median |
| Sustainability | Performing |
Investment Options
LegalSuper
| Total Options | 10 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Spirit Super
| Total Options | 8 |
| Ethical/ESG Option | No |
| Indexed Option | No |
| Direct Investing | No |
Member Services
LegalSuper
| App Ratings | iOS 4.0 / Android 3.8 |
| Advice | Not specified |
| AFCA Complaints | 3.6 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
Spirit Super
| App Ratings | iOS 4.2 / Android 4.0 |
| Advice | Not specified |
| AFCA Complaints | 3.5 per 10k members |
| Call Centre | Not specified |
Verdict
On fees, Spirit Super is the more affordable option. At a $50,000 balance, Spirit Super costs $428 per year compared to $501 for LegalSuper — a difference of $73 annually. Over a 30-year career, that difference compounds meaningfully.
Looking at long-term performance, Spirit Super holds the edge with a 10-year return of 7.50% versus 7.00% for LegalSuper — a gap of 0.50% per annum. While not enormous, that gap adds up over the compounding horizon of a superannuation balance.
On insurance, LegalSuper uses AIA Australia while Spirit Super is backed by TAL Life Limited. On member satisfaction, Spirit Super has fewer AFCA complaints at 3.5 per 10,000 members compared to 3.6 for the other.
LegalSuper is best suited for lawyers legal workers, while Spirit Super targets construction workers, public sector workers. The two funds also serve different industries: LegalSuper focuses on legal, while Spirit Super targets transport, construction. If your employer defaults to one of these funds, that alone may tip the decision.
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. SuperFind is a
DecisionLab publication.