superguru
MenuClose menu

FES Super vs PSSap

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.

PSSap

Restricted public sector fund

PSSap is CSC's accumulation fund for eligible current and former Australian Government employees.

Membership

Joining normally requires eligible government employment. After 12 continuous months in eligible employment, a member can receive contributions from other employers. Some CSS and PSS members can open a personal accumulation account, subject to eligibility.

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.

APRA product data to 30 June 2026
MeasureChoose an investment optionPSSap MySuper
Return basisChoose an optionMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per yearChoose an option9.74%
5-year return, per yearChoose an option6.77%
7-year return, per yearChoose an option7.10%
10-year return, per yearChoose an option7.57%
APRA strategic growth allocationChoose an option69.06%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000Choose an option$455 a year (0.91%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)Choose an option$75 a year
2026 performance testChoose an optionPass
New-member status at reporting dateCheck the current product eligibility rulesCheck the current product eligibility rules

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 PSSap: product features and conditions
What to compareFES SuperPSSap
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

Joining normally requires eligible government employment. After 12 continuous months in eligible employment, a member can receive contributions from other employers. Some CSS and PSS members can open a personal accumulation account, subject to eligibility.

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

Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan. CSCri retirement accounts use the same fund ABN but have separate terms.

PSSap employer-sponsored membership

PSSap personal accumulation

CSCri retirement income

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

PSSap MySuper Balanced

Members can choose among four investment options. The MySuper comparison applies to Balanced; it does not describe every PSSap account.

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

lifePLUS can provide death, total and permanent disability and income protection cover. Automatic cover depends on eligibility.

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

CSCri is a separate retirement income product. Its fees and tax treatment need a separate comparison.

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

Use the same balance, investment risk and reporting date on both sides.

Sources123

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.

Sources12345

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 PSSap

Editorial assessment

PSSap deserves a place on an eligible employee's shortlist, especially when assessing their employment package. Check the contribution and insurance arrangements attached to the job before comparing funds on fees alone.

Who might put it on their shortlist

  • Eligible government employees assessing an accumulation account.
  • Former eligible employees who want to keep contributing after changing employers.

What deserves a closer look

  • PSSap and PSS are different schemes. A decision involving a PSS defined benefit needs a separate benefit assessment.
  • Public sector employment does not automatically make every person eligible; participating-employer rules matter.

Sources123

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 PSSap

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 PSSap 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 PSSap

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

  1. CSC PSSap product overview
  2. CSC membership eligibility
  3. CSC fund history and identifiers