Retirement • Tax-Advantaged • Portable
PERA Program: A Smarter Way to Build Retirement Wealth
The Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) is the Philippines’ voluntary retirement savings program under Republic Act No. 9505, with implementing rules released in 2016 and strengthened by the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA, RA 12214).
PERA lets Filipinos build a personal, tax-advantaged retirement fund that grows faster than traditional savings vehicles.
What is PERA?
A voluntary retirement savings plan with tax advantages and investment flexibility.
Tax-Free Growth
Investment growth is generally not subject to income, dividend, or withholding taxes under PERA rules.
5% Tax Credit
Qualified contributions may earn a 5% annual tax credit—supporting faster retirement accumulation.
Owned by the Individual
Your PERA account stays with you, even when you change employers, making it portable and personal.
Why choose PERA?
Be a PERA Pioneer now!
Clear value for both employees and employers—built for long-term outcomes.
For Employees
Immediate tax credit: Up to ₱200,000 yearly (₱400,000 for OFWs) earns a 5 % tax credit.
Compounded, tax-free growth: Example—₱200,000/year at 6 % can grow to ₱30.9 million in 40 years.
Generational wealth: PERA funds pass to heirs estate-tax free.
Outperforms SSS/Pag-IBIG: SSS returns average only ~3.8 %, with no asset ownership and projected fund deficit by 2039
For Employers
Tax shield under CMEPA: Employer contributions are deductible and qualify for an extra 50 % deduction.
Example: ₱200,000 company PERA contribution = ₱300,000 deductible expense
Stronger retention & morale: Distinct benefit that signals genuine care for employees’ future.
No added payroll cost: Contributions can be reallocated from existing compensation packages.
Sample Employer Tax Savings
Illustrative example — actual tax outcomes depend on eligibility and final structure.
Annual contribution (example)
₱200,000
per employee
Total deductible expense (example)
₱300,000
50 % extra deduction
Estimated annual tax savings
₱90,000
at 30% corporate tax rate
Why partner with DragonFi?
DragonFi Securities Inc. is the first and only SEC-accredited PERA Administrator in the Philippines.
Its app-based platform enables end-to-end digital onboarding for employers and employees at scale.
Founders:
Jon Carlo Lim
Fintech innovator and CEO
Tony Tan Caktiong
Visionary behind Jollibee Foods
Edgar “Injap” Sia II
Co-founder of DoubleDragon Properties
PERA Partner:
Emmanuel Paras
Financial Services Agency Director and Tech Startup Founder
SEC-Accredited
Work with an accredited PERA administrator and a structured end-to-end program approach.
Digital Onboarding
Streamlined employer setup and employee enrollment—built for scale and operational efficiency.
Support + Education
Employee forums, ongoing updates, and structured support to help drive adoption and engagement.
Dragonfi combines deep financial expertise with proven large-scale operations, making it the most efficient partner for company-wide PERA deployment.
How to Start PERA with Dragonfi
PERA onboarding Process
P
Partner Up
Partner Up
Formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement and align on implementation structure, payroll coordination, and communication plan.
E
Educate
Educate Staff
Conduct employee orientation sessions to introduce PERA, explain benefits and tax advantages, and answer questions.
R
Register
Reigster Enrollement
Interested employees open their PERA accounts and select contribution levels and investment options.
A
Activate
Activate Program
Payroll deduction begins, contributions are remitted, and the program becomes fully operational with ongoing support and reporting.
Other Services Offered
Beyond PERA, we provide comprehensive programs that enhance financial security, retention, and business continuity.
Group Healthcare Program
Comprehensive HMO solutions designed to protect employees from rising medical costs while strengthening retention and overall workforce well-being.
Group Life Insurance
Cost-efficient life coverage that provides financial protection to employees’ families and enhances your company’s total compensation package.
Keyman Insurance
Strategic life insurance coverage that protects the company from financial loss in the event of the untimely death or disability of a critical executive or founder.
Financial Wellness Talks
Structured educational sessions that equip employees with practical knowledge on budgeting, investing, retirement planning, and long-term wealth building.
Legacy Planning for Business Owners
Customized succession and estate planning strategies that protect family wealth, ensure business continuity, and preserve generational legacy.
Sample Employee Projection
Example scenario for illustration only:
Profile: 30-year-old employee, ₱3,000 monthly contribution, invested in a money market fund at 6 % annual growth, retirement at 55 (25 years of contributions)..
Profile
30-year-old
Total Contribution
₱900,000
Growth assumption
6% CAGR
Time horizon
25 years
Add 5 % annual tax credit (₱1,800/year ≈ ₱45,000 over 25 years) million total potential retirement fund.
~ ₱1.79M
This is tax-free and fully owned by the employee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for HR teams and employees.
General
Q: What exactly is PERA?
A: The Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) is a voluntary retirement savings plan under Republic Act No. 9505, with implementing guidelines released in 2016 and enhanced by the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA). It offers tax-free investment growth and a 5 % annual tax credit on contributions.
Q: How is PERA different from SSS or Pag-IBIG?
A: Unlike SSS or Pag-IBIG, PERA lets you own the assets you invest in, provides tax-free growth, and can be passed to heirs estate-tax free. SSS yields about 3.8 % annual returns and faces funding challenges, while Pag-IBIG MP2 pays around 6 % but is taxable and capped
For Employers
Q: What is the employer’s tax benefit?
A: Company cntributions are fully deductible and employee contributions qualify for an extra 50 % deduction under CMEPA.
Example: ₱200,000 PERA contribution allows a ₱300,000 deductible expense, saving about ₱90,000 annually at a 30 % corporate tax rate
Q: Is there a cost to the company?
A: No additional outlay is required. Employers can reallocate part of existing compensation to PERA without increasing total payroll.
Q: How does onboarding work?
A: Dragonfi provides a digital employer dashboard and handles census uploads, employee account creation, and monthly credits—all SEC-compliant and paperless.
For Employees
Q: How much can I contribute?
A: Up to ₱200,000 annually (including any employer contributions). Amounts above this are allowed but will not earn the 5 % tax credit.
Q: What investment options are available?
A: SEC-approved PERA funds, including money market (≈6 %), government bond, corporate income funds, blue-chip stocks, and REITs
Q: When can I withdraw?
A: You may withdraw your funds at age 55 or later, with at least 5 years of contributions, completely tax- and penalty-free.
Early withdrawals before age 55 are permitted but will be subject to charges and tax penalties unless due to exceptions such as disability or critical illness.
Q: What happens if I change jobs?
A: Your PERA account is portable. The employer simply stops contributing and you may continue contributions personally or with a new company.
Practical Examples
Q: How much can a young employee accumulate?
A: A 30-year-old contributing ₱3,000 per month at a 6 % annual return until age 55 could grow about ₱1.74 million, tax-free, plus about ₱45,000 in 5 % tax credits
Q: Will this affect my SSS, PhilHealth, or Pag-IBIG deductions?
A: No. PERA is a separate, voluntary program and does not change statutory deductions.
DragonFi - PERA FAQs
Q: Why choose Dragonfi as the PERA administrator?
A: Dragonfi is the first and only SEC-accredited PERA administrator, offering:
- End-to-end digital onboarding
- Widest selection of PERA investments
- Comprehensive value-adding service upon enrollment
Q: Does PERA have a minimum employee enrollment requirement?
A: None
Q: What is the minimum and maximum contribution per year?
A: No minimum contribution; You and/or your employer can contribute up to ₱200,000/year
Q: What happens to a PERA account when an employee resigns or is terminated?
A: PERA Accounts remain active regardless of employment status.
Q: How can I contribute to PERA through payroll?
A: -Fixed monthly deductions - One-time contribution (non-recurring)
Q: How much is the administration fee?
A: 0.45% annually, applied quarterly on average funds.
Q: When can I withdraw my PERA funds?
A: You can withdraw tax-free once you meet the following conditions:
- You are at least 55 years old
- You have made at least 5 years of contributions
Q: Qualified Tax-Free Early Withdrawals
A: - Permanent disability
- Hospitalization over 30 days
- Account holder’s passing
Q:Unqualified Early Withdrawals (with Penalties)
A: 20% gross income earned by PERA Investments & 5% tax credit availed
Source: RMC No. 45-2022
Get Started
Schedule a Free HR Benefits Consultation
Let’s map a PERA rollout that fits your organization’s structure and goals.
Be a PERA Pioneer
PERA Program: A Smarter Way to Build Retirement Wealth
The Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) is a voluntary, tax-advantaged retirement savings program designed to help Filipinos grow retirement funds faster through tax-free investment growth and annual tax credits.
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