A quick guide to all costs related to opening, maintaining, and withdrawing from your PERA account.
For the full FAQ list, you may also refer here: bit.ly/dfpera-faq
PERA Fees & Withdrawals Explained
PERA is governed by Republic Act No. 9505 and is intended as a long-term, tax-advantaged retirement savings program, including the issuance of Tax Credit Certificates (TCCs) for qualified contributions. Withdrawals are strictly regulated by law.
PERA is designed for long-term retirement savings. Here’s what you need to know about DragonFi PERA+ fees, withdrawals, and applicable penalties.
What are the fees for DragonFi PERA+?
Fee | DragonFi PERA+ |
Account opening | Free |
Contributions | Free* |
PERA Administrator Fee – Retail | 0.45% annually, capped at ₱300 per year |
Withdrawal processing fee | ₱200 |
Early Withdrawal Penalty, if applicable | 20% of the applicable gross income earned |
*Your bank or payment channel may charge its own transfer fees.
The PERA Administrator Fee is based on your total PERA account value and charged quarterly. Buying or selling investments more frequently does not increase this fee.
Can I withdraw from my PERA?
Yes. DragonFi currently processes full withdrawals only.
This means all PERA investments must first be sold or liquidated, and the full available cash balance must be withdrawn. Once the withdrawal is completed, your entire PERA account will be terminated.
Withdrawal requests are subject to verification and approval and may take up to 10 business days to process upon submission of complete requirements.
A ₱200 processing fee applies to every approved withdrawal.
When can I withdraw without an Early Withdrawal Penalty?
The 20% Early Withdrawal Penalty (EWP) does not apply in the following circumstances:
You are at least 55 years old and have made PERA contributions for at least five years;
Death of the contributor, in which case the PERA assets are distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries;
Hospitalization for over 30 days;
Permanent or total disability of the contributor; or
Transfer of PERA assets to another qualified PERA investment product or PERA Administrator within the prescribed 15-calendar-day period.
Applicable documentary and verification requirements must be completed before the withdrawal or distribution can be processed.
What happens if I withdraw early?
If you withdraw your PERA before meeting the applicable conditions above, the withdrawal may be considered an unqualified early withdrawal.
The following will apply:
20% Early Withdrawal Penalty on the gross income earned attributable to the PERA assets withdrawn; and
Recovery of any 5% PERA tax credit previously availed of with respect to the withdrawn PERA assets.
Losses from other PERA investments cannot be used to reduce the gross income subject to the EWP.
Since DragonFi currently processes full withdrawals only, completing an early withdrawal will result in the termination of your entire PERA account.
Is the 20% Early Withdrawal Penalty based on my entire withdrawal?
No. The 20% EWP applies to the gross income earned, not the entire amount withdrawn.
For example:
| Amount |
Original investment | ₱20,000 |
Value upon withdrawal | ₱25,000 |
Gross income earned | ₱5,000 |
20% EWP | ₱1,000 |
In this example, the penalty is ₱1,000, which is 20% of the ₱5,000 income earned—not 20% of the full ₱25,000 withdrawal. Any applicable 5% PERA tax credit previously availed of will be recovered separately.
Will I be penalized if I sell an investment but keep the proceeds inside PERA?
No. Selling or redeeming a PERA investment is not considered an early withdrawal if the proceeds remain inside your PERA account.
You may keep the proceeds in cash within PERA or reinvest them in another eligible PERA investment without triggering the EWP.
The EWP applies when PERA assets are actually withdrawn from PERA and the withdrawal is unqualified.
What do I need to do before requesting a full withdrawal?
Before a full withdrawal can be processed:
All stock and fund positions must be sold or liquidated;
There must be no remaining amount available for trading; and
The withdrawal must cover the full available cash balance of the PERA account.
Once the withdrawal is approved and completed, the PERA account will be terminated.
Are there other fees when buying or selling PERA investments?
Yes. Standard trading and transaction charges may apply when buying or selling PERA stocks or funds, including applicable taxes and other charges depending on the investment product.
Does it cost anything to open or contribute to a PERA account?
No. Opening a DragonFi PERA+ account is free, and DragonFi does not charge a fee for making PERA contributions.
There is also no minimum contribution or maintaining balance. You may contribute any amount within the applicable annual PERA contribution limit.