A few months ago, an independent consultant consulted me about "investing money for his retirement." He was contributing €500 a month to a savings account. Upon analyzing his situation, I noticed a a body of evidence Striking: with a marginal tax rate of 30%, every euro deposited in his savings account cost him "full price," without any leverage. By shifting this savings effort towards a retirement savings plan (PER) optimized, he not only reduced his tax by €1,800 per year, but also gained access to real estate investments (SCPI) inaccessible through his bank.
Preparing for retirement is no longer a matter of patience, it is a matter of tax engineering.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)
- Mechanism: Voluntary contributions to an individual PER are deductible from the taxable income (within the limits of the legal ceilings).
- Output flexibility: Choice between capital (single or fractional), life annuity or a mixture of both.
- Availability : The savings are locked until retirement, except in exceptional cases (purchase of main residence, life accidents).
Balmont Strategy: Use AI to simulate the "net-net" tax advantage and audit old contracts (Madelin, PERP) for a transfer to new generation, more efficient PERs.
What is a retirement savings plan (PER)?
Created by the Pacte law, the Retirement Savings Plan (PER) is a legal framework designed to harmonize older products (PERP, Madelin, Article 83). It's a savings tunnel: you enter with a tax advantage upon entry, you accumulate capital tax-free for years, and you withdraw it at retirement.
How the individual PER (PERin) works
The individual retirement savings plan (PER) is open to everyone, regardless of age or professional status. Its operation is based on... voluntary contributions.
- At the entrance: You deduct your payments from your total taxable income. The higher your marginal tax rate (30 %, 41 % or 45 %), the larger the "gift" from the State.
- During the life of the contract: You benefit from a managed Over time. The further you are from retirement, the more dynamic the asset allocation becomes (stocks, private equity). As retirement approaches, AI and human decision-making secure the capital by transferring it to euro-denominated funds.
Who is the retirement plan really aimed at?
While the PER is universal, its usefulness varies depending on your profile:
- Executives and Managers (High Incomes): It's the ultimate tax-saving tool. The gain is immediate.
- Liberal professions and self-employed workers: The PER is a better replacement for the old Madelin contracts, with a freedom of capital withdrawal that the Madelin did not offer.
- Young professionals: The goal here is to use the PER to constitute their contribution main residence, because it is the only case of "pleasure" unlocking before retirement.
Alexis Sagnier's opinion: «"The PER is particularly powerful for those whose marginal tax rate will decrease in retirement. If you are taxed at 41% today and expect to be at 11% tomorrow, the tax arbitrage is mathematically unbeatable."»
Taxation: Between deduction and taxation upon exit
This is where the protective complexity comes into play. The PER is not a tax exemption, but a report.
- Regarding payments: Deduction possible up to a limit of 10 % of professional income (capped).
- Upon capital exit: The portion corresponding to your payments is subject to the income tax scale (without the allowance of 10 %), while the capital gains are subject to the Single Flat-Rate Levy (PFU) of 30 %.
Warning: Be careful with early withdrawals for the purchase of a primary residence. The capital reintegrated into your taxable income could push you into a higher tax bracket and negate the benefits of the initial investment. A tax audit of your 2026 situation is essential before initiating any withdrawal. [Book a tax audit]
Choosing your retirement savings plan: Expert criteria
Not all retirement savings plans (PERs) are created equal. As an open architecture firm, we scrutinize criteria that banks rarely mention:
- The investment universe: Does your PER allow for the integration of yield SCPI, Individual securities or infrastructure funds?
- Management and arrears fees: Over 20 years, a difference of 0.5 % in fees can represent tens of thousands of euros in lost performance.
- Insurance options: In the event of death before retirement, is your spouse protected by a guaranteed minimum income?
Alternatives to the PER
The P/E ratio should not be your sole driving force. In a strategy of asset diversification, It combines with:
- Assurance-vie: For the availability of capital at any time and for transmission.
- Real Estate (LMNP or SCPI): To generate immediate or deferred additional income.
Data Factsheet: PER vs. Life Insurance vs. Real Estate
| Characteristic | Individual PER | Assurance-vie | Real Estate (SCPI) |
| Tax advantage upon entry | Income tax deduction | None | None (except for specific devices) |
| Availability | Blocked (except in exceptional circumstances) | Total (Liquidity) | Partial (Resale period) |
| Exit taxation | Income tax on capital | Discount after 8 years | Rental income / Social security contributions |
| Transmission | Depending on the age at death | Tax allowance €152,500 | Standard inheritance rights |
How to subscribe to and optimize your retirement savings investment?
Opening a retirement savings plan (PER) is simple, but optimizing it requires a 360° view. At Balmont Conseil, we use our AI to:
- Calculate your available ceiling (including unused ceilings from the last three years).
- Analyze your old contracts: Transferring a PERP to a PER is often a source of immediate savings in terms of fees and flexibility.
- Model the output: Should you choose a life annuity to secure your retirement or a lump sum payment to optimize your taxes over 15 years?
Answer Capsules (FAQ)
Can a company retirement savings plan (PER) be transferred to an individual retirement savings plan (PER)?
Yes, it's possible if you've left the company. This allows you to regain control over your investment and access a wider range of investment options than those offered by your former employer's collective agreement.
What happens in the event of death before retirement?
The PER (Retirement Savings Plan) is not lost. It is included in the estate or benefits from the assurance-vie tax regime (allowances under Article 990 I) if the contract is insurance-based. This is a key point to be aware of in your planning. asset audit.
What are the average costs of a good PER (Retirement Savings Plan)?
A high-performing PER should not show any contribution fees (0 %) and management fees on unit-linked funds not exceeding 0.6 % to 0.8 %.
Conclusion: Action is the best defense against uncertainty
The pay-as-you-go pension system is showing its limitations. A retirement savings plan is the tool that allows you to regain control. However, the 2026 tax law and recent case law on inheritance require constant vigilance.
Don't just endure your retirement, build it like an engineering project.
Optimization is only effective if it's done calmly. My role is to protect your assets against the changes expected in 2026.
Take action: What is your actual tax benefit for a €10,000 payment? Does your current contract contain outdated beneficiary clauses?
Book a Feasibility Audit with Alexis Sagnier
Sources & References
- PACTE Law (2019): Legal framework for the Retirement Savings Plan.
- General Tax Code: Article 163 quatervicies (Deduction ceilings).
- Official Bulletin of Public Finances (BOFiP): Taxation of capital withdrawals.
- Comparative simulations 2026 – Artificial Intelligence Balmont Consulting.
