DragonFi charges no fees to open a PERA account, make contributions, or maintain a minimum balance. The main recurring cost is the PERA Administrator Fee — 0.45% of your account value, capped at ₱300 per year, charged quarterly. Withdrawals carry a ₱200 processing fee, and early unqualified withdrawals face a 20% penalty on investment gains.
What Does It Cost to Open a PERA Account and Make Contributions?
Does It Cost Anything to Open a PERA Account?
No. Opening a PERA account with DragonFi is free.
Are There Minimum Contribution Amounts or Maintaining Balance Requirements?
None. You may contribute any amount, as long as you stay within the annual PERA contribution limits.
Are There Fees When Making PERA Contributions?
DragonFi does not charge any fees for PERA contributions. However, your bank or payment channel may apply standard transfer fees.
What Is the PERA Administrator Fee?
The PERA Administrator Fee ranges from 0.45% of your total PERA account value or ₱300.00, whichever is lower. This fee applies at the account level, regardless of whether your investments are in stocks, funds, or a combination of both.
When Is the PERA Administrator Fee Charged?
The PERA Administrator Fee is calculated based on the total value of your PERA account and is charged at the end of each calendar quarter.
DragonFi is currently waiving the PERA Administrator Fee until June 30, 2026.
- Retail PERA Accounts
- Annual fee: 0.45% or capped at ₱300 per year
- Retail PERA accounts are primarily self-service. Individual clients make contributions directly and do not receive the corporate administration, employer support, and payroll integration services included in the corporate PERA program.
- Corporate PERA Accounts
- For more information about the admin fee for Corporate PERA, employers may contact vianca.adornado@dragonfi.ph.
How Is the Fee Computed If I Trade Frequently?
The PERA administrator fee is not transaction-based. Frequent buying and selling do not increase the fee, as it is calculated based on your total account value.
What Fees Apply When Buying or Selling PERA Stocks or Funds?
Standard trading fees apply when buying or selling PERA stocks or funds, including STT and other applicable charges.
Can Trading Fees Be Paid Separately Instead of Being Deducted From My PERA Account?
No. Trading fees and other applicable transaction charges are deducted from your PERA account as part of the investment transaction. They cannot be paid separately out of pocket.
However, PERA investments enjoy tax advantages under the PERA Act. For example, cash dividends from Philippine-listed stocks held within a PERA account are exempt from the 10% final withholding tax, helping maximize your long-term retirement savings.
What Are the PERA Withdrawal Rules and Penalties?
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.
Note: Withdrawing from PERA is different from moving to a new PERA Administrator. A properly completed PERA Administrator transfer is not treated as an early withdrawal.
What Are the General Withdrawal Rules for PERA?
- Only full withdrawals are allowed. Partial withdrawals are not permitted.
- A full withdrawal requires the liquidation of all PERA investments and will result in the permanent termination of your PERA account.
- A ₱200 withdrawal processing fee applies to all approved withdrawals.
- All withdrawal requests are subject to manual review and approval.
- Processing may take up to ten (10) business days, subject to regulatory validation and verification requirements.
- Once a PERA account is fully withdrawn and terminated, its eligibility for Tax Credit Certificate (TCC) utilization is permanently revoked.
Note: We strongly encourage account holders to avoid withdrawals, as PERA is designed to provide long-term retirement benefits. Early withdrawals reduce the potential tax advantages and the growth of your retirement savings.
What Happens With an Unqualified Early Withdrawal?
An unqualified withdrawal occurs when the withdrawal does not meet RA 9505 requirements, including transfers to a regular DragonFi account.
Once treated as sold, the following apply:
- A 20% penalty on the gross income earned from the withdrawn investment
- Forfeiture of any previously claimed 5% tax credit
- Losses from other PERA investments cannot be used to offset the penalty
- Unqualified early withdrawals will terminate your PERA account
Conditions for unqualified withdrawal:
- Full withdrawal only. Partial withdrawals are not allowed.
- All PERA investments must be liquidated.
- No pending or upcoming dividends.
- All funds must be settled and reflected as Available to Withdraw (ATW).
- No Available to Trade (ATT) balance must remain.
- The withdrawal amount must equal the total ATW balance.
- A ₱200 withdrawal processing fee applies.
- Once the withdrawal request is submitted, no further PERA contributions will be accepted. Any contributions received while the request is pending will be credited to your regular DragonFi trading account.
- Upon completion of the withdrawal, the PERA account will be permanently terminated.
See our guide on the difference between Available to Trade and Available to Withdraw for more on ATT and ATW balances.
What Qualifies for a Penalty-Free PERA Withdrawal?
PERA allows withdrawals under certain conditions without penalties:
1. Hospitalization of More Than 30 Days or Permanent Disability
- Any withdrawal amount is allowed
- Subject to manual verification and approval
2. Age 55 With at Least 5 Years of Contributions (55/5 Rule)
- Any withdrawal amount is allowed
- Processed as part of the standard withdrawal procedure
- No early withdrawal penalties apply
For the full PERA FAQ list, see our Intro to PERA and Frequently Asked Questions. Ready to start? Register for a DragonFi account.