Question 1

What exactly is PERA?

Accepted Answer

PERA stands for Personal Equity and Retirement Account. It is a voluntary, government-regulated retirement savings program established under RA 9505 (the PERA Act of 2008). You invest money into an account, the investment income grows completely tax-free, and when you retire you can withdraw everything — principal and earnings — without paying any tax on the gains. It is the only investment account in the Philippines that gives you a tax credit upfront and tax-free growth over time.

Question 2

Who can open a PERA account?

Accepted Answer

Any person with the legal capacity to contract and a valid Philippine TIN can open a PERA account. This covers Filipino employees, self-employed individuals, professionals, and Overseas Filipinos. Foreign nationals working in the Philippines who have a TIN are also eligible. There is no age restriction beyond legal capacity.

Question 3

How much can I contribute to PERA each year?

Accepted Answer

The annual PERA contribution limit is PHP 200,000 for local contributors and PHP 400,000 for Overseas Filipinos. Contributions beyond the annual limit are allowed but will not earn the 5% tax credit, and investment income on the excess is subject to regular taxes.

Question 4

Can I have more than one PERA account?

Accepted Answer

You can have up to a maximum of five (5) PERA sub-accounts at any one time, for example invested across different funds or products, but you can only have one PERA Administrator at a time. All your sub-accounts must fall under this single administrator. You can fully transfer your entire portfolio to a different administrator if you choose, but you cannot be active with two administrators simultaneously.

Question 5

What is the 5% PERA tax credit and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

For every peso you contribute to PERA within the annual limit, you get a 5% tax credit applied directly against your income tax due for that year. If you contribute PHP 200,000, your tax credit is PHP 10,000 — meaning your income tax bill is reduced by PHP 10,000 peso for peso. If your employer also contributes to your account, their contribution is included in the base for your tax credit calculation.

Question 6

Is the investment income inside PERA really tax-free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All income, dividends, gains, and interest earned within your PERA account are completely exempt from income tax and final tax — as long as you follow the qualified withdrawal rules. This includes interest from bonds, dividends from equities, and capital gains from fund appreciation.

Question 7

How does PERA interact with SSS or GSIS contributions?

Accepted Answer

PERA is completely separate and independent from SSS (for private sector employees) and GSIS (for government employees). Your mandatory contributions continue as normal. PERA is an additional, voluntary savings layer on top of your existing social insurance benefits — it does not replace or reduce them.

Question 8

What can my PERA money be invested in?

Accepted Answer

PERA-eligible investment products include unit investment trust funds (UITFs), mutual funds, annuity contracts, insurance pension products, pre-need pension plans, government securities, shares of stock listed on a local exchange, and exchange-traded bonds. All products must be pre-approved by the BSP, SEC, or Insurance Commission depending on the product type.

Question 9

Who decides where my PERA money is invested?

Accepted Answer

You do. The PERA law gives the contributor absolute discretion over investment choices. You can appoint an Investment Manager to advise and manage your portfolio, but this is entirely optional. The decision always stays with you.

Question 10

Can my PERA savings be seized, garnished, or pledged as collateral?

Accepted Answer

No. Under the PERA law, your PERA assets are completely protected. They cannot be assigned to another person, pledged as loan collateral, garnished by creditors, or seized in any legal proceeding, regardless of your financial situation.

Question 11

When can I make a tax-free qualified withdrawal from PERA?

Accepted Answer

You are eligible for a qualified withdrawal — fully tax-free on all earnings — when you reach age 55 and have been contributing to PERA for at least 5 years. Both conditions must be met. You can then receive the funds as a lump sum, a pension for a fixed period, a lifetime pension, or keep the account active.

Question 12

What happens if I withdraw from PERA early?

Accepted Answer

Early withdrawal triggers a 20% penalty on the income earned only — not on your principal contributions. You also have to return all 5% tax credits previously claimed. Additionally, withdrawing from any one PERA sub-account closes your entire PERA portfolio — you cannot partially withdraw while keeping the rest invested.

Question 13

Are there exceptions that allow penalty-free early access to PERA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Three situations allow penalty-free early access: (1) accident or illness-related hospitalization lasting more than 30 days, (2) permanent total disability, and (3) death, in which case PERA assets are distributed to legal heirs completely tax-free regardless of the contributor's age. There is also a 15-day grace period to transfer funds from one PERA investment product or administrator to another without triggering early withdrawal penalties.

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