Plan d’Epargne de Retraite (PER) - for French residents only
By investing in a PER, a French resident can receive a deduction off their income tax bill of up to 10% of earned income received the year before.
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The main private, personal pension option in France is the Plan d’Epargne Retraite (PER).
A major advantage of investing in a PER is the tax deferral. The plan owner can receive a reduction in their taxable income for PER funds invested of up to 10% of their annual revenues, net of social charges and professional fees. This is limited to 8 times the annual amount of the sécurité sociale ceiling, so a maximum deduction of €37,094 for 2024. The ceiling amount changes each year. This is particularly interesting for people earning in the higher tax brackets.
The payments made into the PER are locked until retirement and invested for growth based on the amount of risk the plan owner wants to take and the amount of growth targeted.
Upon retirement, the total amount invested is available to be taken as either a lump sum (in one or multiple draws) or converted to an annuity type payments. When taking a lump sum payment, broadly speaking, any contributions made to the plan on a tax-deferred basis will be re-integrated into your revenues for the year of withdrawal, and any capital gains are taxed at the going capital gains rates.
The circumstances under which money can be taken out of the PER before retirement are quite limited. For example, if the plan owner becomes seriously ill or disabled and cannot work if their business activity is ceased due to a liquidation judgment. In some cases it is possible to recover some or all of the invested PER funds in the case of divorce, or the death or incapacity of a spouse.
Request a consultation to see if a French PER makes sense for you. You need to be a French fiscal resident to qualify.
France Home Finance is a fully licensed and insured insurance broker offering French life insurance, French home insurance and tax sheltered savings plans (assurance vie, PER.)