What PERA is

The Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) is the Philippines' voluntary, tax advantaged retirement account, on top of SSS and any employer plan. Under current rules, contributions of up to ₱200,000 per year (₱400,000 for overseas Filipinos) earn a 5% tax credit, investment income inside PERA is tax exempt, and qualified withdrawals at retirement are tax free. Recent reforms also strengthened the incentives for employers who contribute. As with any tax matter, specifics are worth confirming with your advisor.

What we do as Administrator

Open and administer PERA accounts as an SEC and BSP accredited Administrator
Design employer PERA programs that fit your compensation structure
Run payroll linked contributions so participation is effortless
Handle reporting and compliance with regulators

For employers

PERA can be added to your benefits program as a modern, visible, tax advantaged benefit. Employer contributions are deductible, and because we also run payroll and retirement administration, contributions can flow straight from payroll without new manual work for HR.

For employees and individuals

Individuals can open and manage their own PERA through ezPERA, our digital PERA platform. Employees of corporate clients get a guided onboarding through their employer.

Who this is for

Employers who want a differentiated benefit without a heavy new liability
Companies already running a retirement plan that want to layer PERA on top
HR teams looking for benefits employees can see and control

How it typically works

Program design and cap setting
Employee enrollment and onboarding
Payroll linked contributions
Ongoing administration and reporting

More detail: PERA for employers, and the new 2025 rules.

Frequently asked questions

What makes Zalamea qualified to administer PERA?

PERA Administrators must be accredited by regulators. Zalamea is accredited by both the SEC and the BSP, one of very few firms in the Philippines authorized to administer PERA.

How much can an employee contribute?

Under current rules, up to ₱200,000 per year, or ₱400,000 for overseas Filipinos, with a 5% tax credit on qualified contributions. Your advisor can confirm how this applies to specific cases.

What does the employer get out of it?

A visible, tax advantaged benefit: employer contributions are deductible under current rules, and the account belongs to the employee, so there is no long term liability on your books.

Is PERA a replacement for our retirement plan?

No. PERA complements an employer plan. The RA 7641 obligation still applies, and many clients run both: the company plan for the core benefit, PERA for voluntary, employee driven savings.

PERA Administrator