What is PERA?
The Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) is a voluntary retirement savings program in the Philippines. It offers tax incentives and tax-free investment growth to encourage Filipinos to save for retirement.
What is DragonFi’s role as a PERA Administrator?
DragonFi is the first SEC-accredited PERA Administrator in the country.
As Administrator, DragonFi is responsible for:
- Opening and maintaining PERA accounts.
- Safekeeping and recording all contributions.
- Coordinating with product providers (banks, mutual funds, UITFs, etc.)
- Executes investment instructions based on your choices
- Handling reporting, tax filings, and issuance of certificates (such as the PERA Tax Credit Certificate).
- Ensures compliance with PERA rules and limits
You keep full control over your investments, while DragonFi ensures smooth operations and compliance.
Key Benefits of PERA
- Higher Contribution Limits – Up to ₱200,000/year (Filipinos) or ₱400,000/year (OFWs)
- 5% Tax Credit – Up to ₱10,000/year for Filipinos, ₱20,000/year for OFWs
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Tax-Free Growth – No income tax, final tax, or capital gains tax on investment earnings
- For stocks & REITs → dividend tax reduced from 10% to 0%
- For other products → withholding tax reduced from 20% to 0%
- No Estate Tax – PERA assets pass to beneficiaries tax-free
- Protection from Bankruptcy – PERA funds cannot be seized in insolvency proceedings
How Much Can You Earn?
Let’s assume you invest ₱50,000 per year in a PERA account for the next 30 years, earning an average dividend yield of 5% per year, with an annual capital appreciation of 3%.
Projected PERA Savings & Earnings
- Total Contributions: ₱1.5 million (₱50,000 x 30 years)
- Total Portfolio Value After 30 Years: ₱7.1 million
- Annual Dividends at Retirement (5% yield): ₱356,000 per year
- Total Tax Credits Earned: ₱300,000 (₱10,000* x 30 years)
- Estate Tax Savings (if passed to heirs)
*Assuming you contribute the annual max amount of ₱200,000 PERA Contribution to get ₱10,000 annual tax credit
With this setup, you’ll have a steady passive income of ₱356,000 per year from dividends alone, while your investments continue to grow tax-free.
A. Eligibility & Account Opening
Who can open a PERA account and what are the requirements?
Any Filipino citizen — whether employed, self-employed, freelance, OFW, or retired — can open a PERA+ account as long as they meet the basic requirements:
- At least 18 years old
- Holds a valid TIN
- Completes the in-app e-KYC on the DragonFi app
- Filipinos aged 55 and above can still open a PERA+ account, provided they meet these same requirements.
PERA+ is not available to foreigners or unemployed minors.
For a full walkthrough, you may refer to our onboarding guide here: bit.ly/dfpera-obguide
I'm not yet employed / My child is not employed. Can we open a PERA+ account?
Make sure to have a Valid TIN first before opening a PERA Account.
How to Apply for a TIN in the Philippines (and Why You Need One for Your DragonFi PERA Account)
Can I open a PERA+ account for a family member or partner using my existing DragonFi login?
No. Each PERA account must be opened under the individual contributor’s own name and Tax Identification Number (TIN). This means your family member, partner, or any other intended account holder will need to create their own DragonFi account to open a PERA account.
B. Contributions & Withdrawals
How much is the minimum and maximum PERA contribution?
There is no minimum contribution to PERA. You may contribute any amount.
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The maximum PERA contribution is:
₱200,000 per calendar year for Filipinos
₱400,000 per calendar year for OFWs
The contribution limit resets every year (January to December).
Unused contribution limits do not carry over to the next year.
How are PERA contributions counted?
PERA contributions are counted based on the actual cash credited into the PERA account.
Once funds are successfully funded, they already count toward the annual limit
The contribution count does not depend on investment or deployment
Funds held as cash still count as contributions
Can I move available cash from my regular DragonFi account to my PERA account?
Yes. You can transfer available cash from your existing DragonFi account into your PERA account, as long as it’s within the annual PERA contribution limit of ₱200,000.
When can I withdraw my PERA?
Qualified Withdrawals (No Penalties)
You can withdraw your PERA savings tax-free (contributions + earnings) if:
- You retire at age 55 or older with at least 5 years of PERA contributions
- In case of death, your benefits go to your heirs/beneficiaries.
- In case of permanent total disability.
Early/Unqualified Withdrawals (With Penalties)
If you withdraw outside the qualified conditions, your withdrawal will be subject to:
- 20% gross income earned by PERA Investments
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5% tax credit availed
Are PERA withdrawals subject to a fee?
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C. Tax Benefits
What are the tax benefits of PERA?
- 5% tax credit on total annual contributions (up to the limit)
- Tax-free income and investment growth
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Tax-exempt upon qualified withdrawal (age 55 + 5 years of contributions)
Note: Tax benefits are forfeited if withdrawn early without valid exemption.
How can OFWs benefit from the PERA tax credit?
OFWs can request the PERA tax credit certificate from DragonFi and submit it to the BIR for crediting against their Philippine income tax. See PERA for OFWs: Document Submission Guidelines
How do I claim the 5% PERA Tax Credit?
DragonFi, your PERA Administrator, will apply for the issuance of the PERA Tax Credit Certificate (PTCC) with the BIR, on behalf of all contributors. This is done within 60 days after the end of each calendar year.
Once issued, the PTCC reflects your total PERA contributions for the previous year and the corresponding 5% tax credit.
You can then use the PTCC when filing your Annual Income Tax Return (ITR) with the BIR:
- If employed: apply it against your withholding tax.
- If self-employed/professional: apply it against your annual income tax due.
DragonFi will issue the TCC either as a printed copy or a PDF sent via email. Once released, the eTCC is considered final.
D. Investments
What investments can I buy under PERA?
- Stocks in the PSE Index
- Dividend Yield Index stocks
- REITs
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PERA-specific UITFs
Are there fees when buying or selling stocks or funds in my PERA account?
Yes. Standard brokerage or fund management fees apply when buying or selling individual stocks or funds. Investment gains inside PERA are tax-free, meaning no 10% dividend tax.
If you’re an employee and incorporate your PERA contribution into your payroll, your contribution will be pre-tax, giving you additional tax savings while still enjoying all PERA benefits. Kindly send us an email to if you want us to coordinate with your HR/Comp & Ben/Payroll team to incorporate PERA+ contributions.
Can I choose my own stocks under PERA?
Yes — as long as they are PERA-eligible.
What if the stock is no longer part of the PSE Index? Do I need to sell this stock?
No, you do not need to sell this particular stock. However, you will be prohibited from buying more shares of this stock since it is no longer part of the PSE Index.
Does my dividend income automatically get reinvested?
No. Reinvestment must be done manually. Dividends are also subject to PERA withdrawal rules.
Can I transfer PERA stocks to my regular DragonFi account?
No, PERA stocks can’t be moved directly to a regular DragonFi account. You could sell them and withdraw the cash, but we strongly encourage keeping your investments in PERA.
Why? Staying in PERA lets you enjoy tax perks, including no dividend tax, which helps your money grow faster over time.
E. Onboarding & Platform Use
How do I start with DragonFi PERA?
Download the DragonFi app and complete the in-app e-KYC process.
How can OFWs be onboarded into DragonFi PERA?
Same process: download the app, complete e-KYC, and start contributing. OFWs are entitled to higher contribution limits and tax credits.
Important: When creating a PERA+ account, OFWs must use a Philippine address to comply with account requirements.
Once onboarded, OFWs are entitled to:
Higher annual contribution limits (up to ₱400,000 for OFWs). Please note that contributions reflecting the full ₱400,000 limit will only be applied once our compliance team has approved and verified your account.
Tax credits under the PERA program
This ensures your contributions are fully compliant and eligible for PERA benefits.
I am an employer, and I want to enroll my employees to PERA. How do I do it?
Please email vianca.adornado@dragonfi.ph and we will get in touch!
F. Matching Grant Program
Am I still eligible for the PERA matching grant (e.g., Injap Sia ₱10M fund)?
DragonFi PERA+ Matching Grant Promo Details – Help Center | DragonFi
G. PERA Fees
Does DragonFi charge a PERA Administrator Fee?
Yes. DragonFi, as your PERA Administrator, charges a nominal annual administration fee of 0.4% to 0.6% of your PERA account value.
Example:
If your PERA account has ₱100,000, the annual fee will only be ₱400–₱600.
Is the fee waived for new PERA accounts?
Yes. For 2025, the DragonFi PERA Administrator Fee is fully waived for all PERA accounts, as part of our initiative to encourage more Filipinos to start saving for retirement. PERA administration fees will resume in 2026
For more info: DragonFi PERA+ Fees – Help Center | DragonFi
Secure Your Future with PERA
Start investing in your retirement today and take control of your financial future. With tax-free growth, employer contribution benefits, and full control over your investments, PERA is one of the best ways to build long-term wealth.