The last five years before retirement constitute a strategic momentoften underestimated, in building a sustainable income before this era of tranquility. It was during this pivotal period that the arbitrations can have thestrongest impact about the future purchasing power. Often with a lot of questions. Should we continue to look for returns or focus on securing capital? Is it still relevant to use tax exemption schemes? How to organize capital outflows to avoid excessively heavy taxation at the time of departure?
For Lola Sougey-Lardin, head of personal insurance at Nousassureurs, “ five years before retirement, the objective is no longer just to grow your savings, but above all to secure and prepare your future income complementary. » The Retirement Savings Plan (PER) responds particularly well to this logic for highly taxed taxpayers, thanks to the deductibility of payments. At the same time, life insurance retains its role as a wealth pillar. Rental real estate remains a relevant option for those who wish to generate regular additional income. Finally, the PEA allows you to build up capital with regular partial withdrawals possible to supplement your income.
PER: an immediate tax reduction, but an exit to be anticipated
The PER remains themost powerful tool to reduce your tax at the end of your career, especially for taxpayers located in the higher brackets. THE payments are deductiblecreating significant tax leverage. But savings remain blocked there until retirement, except in the event of exceptional release.
Tax efficiency requires to anticipate the exit mode savings, in capital or annuity, or even a mix of the two, each being taxed differently. Bad anticipation can cancel out part of the tax gain obtained upon entry.
Life insurance: flexibility, low taxation and preparation of withdrawals
“ Life insurance remains one of the most suitable investments approaching retirement thanks to its flexibility and to his advantageous taxation after eight yearspoints out Lola Sougey-Lardin. It allows you to maintain a savings available while preparing rwould be low taxed. » As retirement approaches, it remains the most flexible envelope.
After eight years, its annual reductions allow you to make low-tax redemptions to supplement your income, while maintaining available savings. It can also serve as reserve to gradually transfer capital from other riskier investments. Its advantageous inheritance tax is also an asset for organizing a transfer without increasing the tax burden on heirs.
Rental real estate and SCPI: sustainable additional income to be calibrated
Rental investment can compensate part of the loss of income retired. However, its effectiveness essentially depends on whether or not credit remains: a loan fully repaid at the time of departure maximizes net income, while ongoing credit can become a constraint. Also guard against unpaid rent.
Guaranteed unpaid rent insurance can secure this uncomfortable parameter. Finally, for those who do not wish to manage a property, SCPIs offer a regular income without rental worries. They also allow you to diversify your assets and reduce exposure to financial market fluctuations.
PEA: an interesting addition for tax-free withdrawals
Arriving at maturity after five years, the PEA also presents itself as a useful tool to prepare for retirement. Once this deadline has passed, withdrawals no longer trigger the closure of the plan and the gains are exempt from tax, with only social security contributions remaining due. This allows to organize one-off or scheduled withdrawals to supplement his pension while benefiting from a particularly gentle taxation.
The PEA is also a good support for gradually transfer assets more volatile towards more secure positions as departure approaches. However, to produce a real effect on interest, the PEA requires at least 10 years. “ It is generally integrated into a more global heritage strategyalongside life insurance, PER or rental real estate », Warns Lola Sougey-Lardin.
