Intro to PERA and Frequently Asked Questions (PERA FAQs)

The Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) is a voluntary retirement savings program under Republic Act No. 9505. It offers tax incentives to help Filipinos build retirement savings alongside their SSS, GSIS, or employer retirement benefits.

With DragonFi PERA+, you can contribute and invest through the DragonFi app.

Investment returns are not guaranteed. Your account value depends on the performance of your chosen investments.

Filipino citizens aged 18 and above with a valid TIN may apply, subject to identity verification and account-opening requirements.

Employees, self-employed individuals, freelancers, qualified Overseas Filipinos, and retirees may participate. Each contributor must use their own DragonFi account and TIN.

New to DragonFi? Create a DragonFi account, complete identity verification, and apply for PERA in the app.

Already have a DragonFi account? Apply for PERA using your existing account. Follow our PERA account-opening guide for existing DragonFi users.

Once approved, you can fund your PERA and choose your investments.

If you already have PERA with another Administrator, follow the Administrator transfer process.

Your TIN or personal details may not match BIR records. Check your information and contact DragonFi Support if the error persists.

For detailed steps, refer to our “Invalid TIN” Troubleshooting Guide.

Employee and employer contributions count toward the same annual limit.

There is no minimum PERA contribution or maintaining balance, although investment products may have minimum purchase amounts.

For eligibility and documents required for the higher Overseas Filipino limit, see the OFW Document Submission Guide.

You can choose from PERA-eligible stocks, REITs, and funds available in the DragonFi app.

You may also hold cash within PERA. Contributions count toward your annual limit once credited, even before they are invested.

Selling an investment and keeping or reinvesting the proceeds within PERA does not itself trigger an early withdrawal penalty.

Yes. Available cash may be transferred into PERA, subject to your remaining annual contribution limit.

Stocks cannot be transferred directly between regular and PERA accounts. Moving money out of PERA is subject to withdrawal rules.

Account opening and contributions are free of DragonFi charges, although payment-channel fees may apply. Employer-sponsored arrangements may have a different fee schedule. See DragonFi PERA+ Fees.

DragonFi submits the PERA Tax Credit Certificate (PTCC) application on your behalf within 60 days after year-end, subject to completion of requirements.

This is the submission timeline, not a guaranteed BIR approval date. Availability depends on BIR review and instructions.

For claiming, utilization, validity, and unused credits, see How to Claim and Use Your PTCC.

The retirement requirement is age 55 or older with at least five years of PERA contributions. Other exceptions apply, subject to supporting documents and verification.

DragonFi currently processes full withdrawals only, which terminate the PERA account.

Unqualified early withdrawals are subject to 20% of the applicable gross income earned, plus recovery of tax credits previously availed of, where applicable.

See PERA Fees and Withdrawal Rules for details.

Yes. Notify your current Administrator and complete its transfer requirements. Your current Administrator must initiate the transfer through PERASys. You can have only one PERA Administrator at a time. See How to Change Your PERA Administrator.

Yes. Employers may contribute to an employee’s individual PERA or facilitate contributions through an agreed payroll arrangement.

The account remains in the employee’s name, and total qualified employee and employer contributions form the basis of the contributor’s 5% tax credit.

To explore an employer program, book a PERA alignment call.