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FES Super vs Superhero Super

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.

Superhero Super

Retail fund brand

Superhero Super offers managed investments, thematic choices and direct shares and ETFs within super.

Membership

Public membership under the applicable MySuper or Choice documents.

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 optionSuperhero Super MySuper
Return basisChoose an optionMySuper net return after administration costs, $50,000 representative member
3-year return, per yearChoose an option9.95%
5-year return, per yearChoose an option5.96%
7-year return, per yearChoose an option6.67%
10-year return, per yearChoose an option6.79%
APRA strategic growth allocationChoose an option80.50%
Reported total fees, net of tax, at $50,000Choose an option$350 a year (0.70%)
Administration and advice costs, net of tax (included in total)Choose an option$195 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 Superhero Super: product features and conditions
What to compareFES SuperSuperhero 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.

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Public membership under the applicable MySuper or Choice documents.

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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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Superhero Super Choice and MySuper.

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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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Diversified, single-sector, thematic and direct options. At least 25% of a Choice balance must remain across diversified or single-sector options.

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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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MySuper and Choice insurance terms differ. There is no insurance in the retirement division; retaining accumulation cover requires a sufficiently funded super account.

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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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Retirement and transition-to-retirement accounts are available, with a $20,000 minimum under the PDS dated 2 June 2026.

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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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The website's investment returns exclude administration fees and costs. Direct portfolios have member-specific returns.

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Advice and support

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

The service supports self-directed investment decisions. Personal advice should be arranged where needed.

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Fee details to check

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

Choice administration is $52 a year plus a balance-based fee; investment fees vary and direct investing adds costs. MySuper has its own schedule.

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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 Superhero Super

Editorial assessment

Relevant for an investor who wants more control but accepts the portfolio limits and costs.

What deserves a closer look

  • The required 25% managed or single-sector allocation limits a wholly direct portfolio.
  • A newly registered legal fund is not evidence that the current consumer product has already transferred.

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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 Superhero Super

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 Superhero Super 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 Superhero Super

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

  1. Investment options and return basis
  2. Product and fees
  3. Current additional information guide
  4. Retirement and transition-to-retirement PDS, 2 June 2026