Cyril, capital reader, addresses the following question: “Hello, I have a PEL (2.5%rate) opened in April 2004 and containing 55,000 euros. Do I have to close it to place this amount on more remunerative life insurance? Or keep this PEL in the long term, since it guarantees me around 1,000 euros in interest per year, when there may be no more investments at this level in 20 years? ”
Hello Cyril, and thank you for your question, which illustrates a dilemma common to many savers: should we keep an old PEL with guaranteed rate, or look better elsewhere?
A 2.5% PEL remains very competitive
Your PEL, opened in 2004, has a fixed rate of 2.5% gross, or around 2.11% net after deduction of social security contributions (17.2%), which are retained on your interests each year. It is a placement that has its interest, since, whatever the evolution of the financial markets or the rates of other investments (booklet A, life insurance), the remuneration of your PEL, it will not change. Better still, you can keep this savings product for as long as you wish, since having been opened before 2011, “It is not affected by the automatic closure of PELs after 15 years, which will become effective for the first contracts in April 2026”explains Philippe Crevel, director of the circle of savings.
However, it is true that closing your PEL to open life insurance can be attractive. In terms of security, first, if you pay your savings on the euro fund part of life insurance, the level of risk of capital loss will be the same, that is to say. But as a bonus, the best funds in euros on the market currently offer a higher return to your PEL. In 2024, the guaranteed capital media distributed an average rate of 2.6% (or 2.15% net of social security contributions). But above all, it is possible, provided you choose well, to seek much more, the best contracts used up to 4% on their secure funds last year.
However, if you had to take the plunge, it is the taxation that you will have to be attentive. The interests generated by your PEL (around 1,000 euros per year) are indeed fully tax -term (after puncture of social security contributions by your bank). Conversely, the tax benefits of life insurance, they only unlock after eight years of detention. Before this anniversary, the interests are subject, in the event of withdrawal, to the single flat -rate levy (PFU or flat tax) of 30%. Also, no doubt, you can find a better return with life insurance, “But the question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you need this money before eight years”recalls Philippe Crevel. If so, it is better to keep your PEL.
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