The countdown has started. On their 15th anniversary, the bank closes the plan without the client’s consent. The capital is then converted into a bank book or transferred to a deposit account, unless previously instructed, with a return likely to fall. Banks generally notify their customers by mail before the deadline.
Not all PELs are affected. Those opened before March 1, 2011 can be kept without limit. The law of December 29, 2010 put an end to the “lifetime” PEL: it is now a maturity investment.
Some PELs opened at the beginning of the 2010s still show a net rate of around 2%. Once transformed into a classic bank book, the yield can fall to around 0.8%. For a capital of 30,000 euros, the difference represents several hundred euros per year. The closure also results in the loss of the right to a home savings loan. Before March 2026, holders therefore have every interest in checking the opening date of their PEL, its exact rate and the possible existence of a real estate project.
Closed PEL: where to put your money?
Livret A is an option to carefully study: capped at 22,950 euros, it displays a return of 1.5%, similar to that of the LDDS. The Popular Savings Account (LEP) is better paid, but remains reserved for low-income households. For savers who had a PEL earning around 2%, or even 2.11% net for certain generations, the decline can therefore be significant.
In this context, life insurance in euro funds could capture a significant portion of the capital released. With an average return of around 2.5% to 2.7% in recent years, a capital guarantee and reduced taxation after eight years, it constitutes a natural alternative for those seeking stability.
Savers ready to accept more volatility can opt for an Equity Savings Plan (PEA) or units of account. The Retirement Savings Plan (PER) can also be an option, offering attractive taxation. In particular, it allows, under conditions, an early exit for the purchase of the main residence, while offering a potentially more efficient long-term investment framework.
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