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FES Super vs Perpetual Super Wrap

Compare what each fund offers, then choose investment options to put their published costs and returns side by side.

By SuperGuru Group · Research checked 11 September 2026 · Historical APRA figures to 30 June 2026

FES Super

Restricted occupational fund

FES Super serves eligible Western Australian fire and emergency services employees, with defined benefit and accumulation accounts.

Membership

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.

Perpetual Super Wrap

Retail investment platform

Perpetual Super Wrap provides investment choice and consolidated reporting for super and pension portfolios.

Membership

Confirm access, advice requirements and minimum balance in the current Super Wrap PDS before applying.

Compare fees and investment returns

Choose the actual investment pathway for each account. For lifecycle products, select the named stage relevant to you. No stage is selected automatically.

Choose an investment option to see the figures

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.

How the products differ

FES Super and Perpetual Super Wrap: product features and conditions
What to compareFES SuperPerpetual Super Wrap
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.

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Confirm access, advice requirements and minimum balance in the current Super Wrap PDS before applying.

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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

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Perpetual Super Wrap superannuation and pension.

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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.

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The wrap offers a broad range of underlying investments. The current menu and each investment's disclosure govern availability, risk and any restrictions.

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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.

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Check Super Wrap's own current terms for any available insurance. Insurance offered through another Perpetual super product should not be assumed to apply.

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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.

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The service supports accumulation, transition to retirement and retirement income arrangements.

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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.

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Use the selected portfolio and actual costs. A return from WealthFocus or Select does not describe a Super Wrap member's investments.

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Advice and support

This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents.

The value of a wrap usually rests on the portfolio and advice services a member actually uses. Request a clear account of those services.

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Fee details to check

This detail has not been verified for this profile. Check the current product documents.

Calculate platform charges together with underlying investments, transactions, cash-account effects and any adviser remuneration.

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THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on FES Super

Editorial assessment

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.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible DFES employees assessing their workplace scheme.
  • Existing members reviewing additional savings, retirement or a retained account.

What deserves a closer look

  • Joining is restricted by employment and family eligibility rules.
  • Defined benefits cannot be ranked against ordinary accumulation accounts using annual investment returns.
  • A smoother credited return does not make the Smoothed option a cash account or guarantee its future return.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

THE SUPERGURU VIEW

Our take on Perpetual Super Wrap

Editorial assessment

May suit someone who needs a broader portfolio service and wants the trustee to handle super compliance.

What deserves a closer look

  • A wrap is an account structure, so investment outcomes depend on what is held in it.
  • Do not confuse Super Wrap with Perpetual's SMSF or small APRA fund administration services.

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Based on the cited product features. These are general reasons to investigate the fund, not a personal recommendation. Supporting sources.

Before choosing between FES Super and Perpetual Super Wrap

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 Perpetual Super Wrap profile · Choose another comparison

Sources for FES Super

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. FES Super defined benefits
  2. FES Super accumulation account
  3. FES Super investment options
  4. How the Smoothed option works
  5. FES Super additional PDS information

Sources for Perpetual Super Wrap

Checked 2026-09-11. Documents and product terms can change after this date.

  1. Super Wrap and related retirement services
  2. Wrap offer documents
  3. Super Wrap holdings