Accumulation Account

Accumulation Accounts are the main alternative to Defined Benefit Accounts and are sometimes called a defined contribution account. It is an account where the benefit a member receives is the total of contributions made plus earnings on those contributions, minus expenses and tax. Most new superannuation accounts created in Australian superannuation funds are accumulation accounts.

WIth an Accumulation Account, it is the member who bears the investment risk associated with the assets in the account. That is, if the investment option chosen for the Accumulation Account performs poorly, member benefits in the account are directly affected.

Temporary and casual employees of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services of Western Australia can join FES Super as an Accumulation Account member.

Many Defined Benefit members also have an Accumulation Account.