Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.
Restricted occupational fund
FES Super serves eligible Western Australian fire and emergency services employees, with defined benefit and accumulation accounts.
Firefighters start in the Defined Benefit Account. Different rules apply to other permanent, temporary and casual employees of DFES and associated employers. Spouse and retained accounts are available under their own eligibility rules.
Retail fund brand
Pearler Super is a digital accumulation account for members who want to choose ETFs and other approved ASX securities.
The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded.
Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.
The costs and returns belong to the selected product, option or lifecycle stage.
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.
| What to compare | FES Super | Pearler Super |
|---|---|---|
| Membership and access | Firefighters start in the Defined Benefit Account. Different rules apply to other permanent, temporary and casual employees of DFES and associated employers. Spouse and retained accounts are available under their own eligibility rules. Sources12345 | The PDS allows a zero initial investment, but an operating cash balance is required once the account is funded. Sources123 |
| Accounts and products | Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund in Western Australia. Compare its accumulation accounts separately from defined benefits. Defined Benefit Account Accumulation Account Retained Benefit Account Spouse Account Account Based Pension Sources12345 | Pearler Personal Super accumulation. Sources123 |
| Investment choices | Smoothed option for accumulation accounts Accumulation members have six choices: Smoothed, Moderate, Cash, Fixed Interest, International Shares and Australian Shares. The Smoothed option can set aside some returns in stronger years and release reserves in weaker years, at the board's discretion. Sources12345 | Members can choose from a menu of ETFs and other ASX-listed securities through the Pearler apps. Sources123 |
| Insurance | The defined benefit has employment-related death and disability provisions, with separate income protection arrangements. Accumulation insurance uses different terms. Check occupation, account type and employment status before comparing cover. Sources12345 | There is no integrated insurance. Moving an entire balance from another fund can end the cover held there. Sources123 |
| Retirement income | Members can retain eligible savings or use an account-based pension. Converting a defined benefit into accumulation can be irreversible under the scheme rules. Sources12345 | The current PDS does not offer a pension account. Sources123 |
| Comparing investment performance | Any investment comparison on this profile applies to the named accumulation option. Obtain a scheme benefit estimate before assessing a defined benefit transfer. Sources12345 | Performance depends on the actual securities and cash held. There is no single Pearler portfolio return that applies to everyone. Sources123 |
| Advice and support | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | The app offers investment tools. Any advice arrangement should be assessed separately from access to those tools. Sources123 |
| Fee details to check | This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents. | Administration fees apply to the first $500,000, with eligible family-group caps. Add underlying investment costs, transactions and the effect of the cash account. Sources123 |
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
For a firefighter, the starting point is the value of the employment-linked benefit and cover. A return chart cannot price those entitlements. For an accumulation member, the unusual Smoothed option deserves attention: smoothing changes when returns are credited, without removing investment risk.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
THE SUPERGURU VIEW
May suit a member who can construct and maintain a diversified listed portfolio and has separately considered insurance.
Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.
Use the membership rules to establish which accounts are available to you. Then compare the total price of the investment option and cover you need. A lower fee or higher historical return alone does not tell you which fund is suitable.
Ask both funds to confirm insurance acceptance, exclusions, waiting periods and whether cover would change when you leave your employer. Obtain advice before giving up a defined benefit or an insurance policy you may not be able to replace. ASIC Moneysmart explains the comparison checks.
Read the full FES Super profile · Read the full Pearler Super profile · Choose another comparison
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.
Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.