PER: how to transform inactive retirement savings into a real performance lever

Many savers today have a Retirement Savings Plan (PER)... without really paying attention to it.

Opened following a change of employer, a transfer from a former Madelin or PERP contract, or simply out of caution, PERs often end up dormant, invested mainly in secure funds, without any real strategy.

Yet PERs are one of the most powerful wealth management tools when used properly.

🔍 What is a dormant PER?

In most cases, an ‘inactive’ PER has:

a very cautious allocation (almost exclusively in guaranteed funds),

little or no regular payments,

no optimisation of long-term returns,

a lack of knowledge of the associated tax and financial levers.

The result: secure savings, certainly... but with poor performance, especially over a retirement horizon.

🚀 How can you boost an existing PER?

Certain solutions now exist that can revitalise a PER without starting from scratch.

1️⃣ PER transfer

A transfer allows you to consolidate an old PER into a new, more modern, better structured and, above all, more performance-oriented contract.

This is often an opportunity to:

review your investment strategy,

access a wider selection of investment vehicles,

and implement a truly long-term approach.

2️⃣ Introduce a controlled proportion of unit-linked products

A PER is not a short-term investment.

Introducing a proportion of unit-linked products (property, bonds, shares, etc.) allows you to:

seek higher returns over time,

spread risk through diversification,

tailor the allocation to the saver's age and profile.

👉 When properly calibrated, this strategy is often more effective than a secure fund alone.

3️⃣ Take advantage of temporary bonus mechanisms

Certain one-off transactions can boost the return on the secure fund for a limited period, subject to certain conditions (transfer, minimum allocation, holding period, etc.).

These mechanisms are not for everyone, but can be very attractive as part of an overall strategy, particularly for PERs that are already well endowed.

4️⃣ Activate regular payments

The statistics are clear: contracts with scheduled payments are better managed and more effective over time.

Even modest regular payments allow you to:

smooth out entry points,

reinforce savings discipline,

optimise your tax effort each year.

🎯 The PER: a tool to be managed, not endured

The PER is not just a simple ‘retirement product’.

It is an evolving wealth management tool that must be:

monitored,

adjusted,

aligned with your tax situation, your age and your plans.

👉 A well-structured PER today can make a huge difference tomorrow.

📩 Are you wondering whether your pension plan is truly optimised or if it could be improved?

A personalised audit can often provide clarity.