BPI Wealth champions retirement readiness through early investing

As the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) celebrates its 175th anniversary, its wealth management arm, BPI Wealth, is expanding efforts to make retirement planning more accessible, underscoring the need for broad-based collaboration to improve retirement readiness among Filipinos.

“A stronger retirement culture is one of the most important investments we can make as a nation. Retirement readiness cannot be built by one sector alone. It requires sustained collaboration among government, employers, financial institutions, and individuals,” said Maria Theresa D. Marcial, President and CEO of BPI Wealth.

“By making retirement planning more accessible through trusted advice, meaningful partnerships, and solutions, we are able to help more Filipinos start early, invest consistently, and face the future with greater confidence,” she added. 

Through BPI Wealth, individuals can open a PERA account with a minimum initial investment of only Php1,000 via the e-Invest platform, making retirement investing more accessible to more Filipinos. By starting early and investing consistently, account holders can maximize the benefits of long-term compounding while building a dedicated retirement fund that complements other sources of retirement income.

Reinforcing its commitment to help Filipinos Do More, BPI Wealth participated in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) PERA@Work Forum, joining policymakers, regulators, employers, and industry leaders in advancing retirement preparedness among Filipino workers.

The forum, organized by the BSP, highlighted the importance of strengthening retirement security by promoting greater awareness and adoption of the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA), the country’s voluntary retirement savings program.

Established under Republic Act No. 9505, PERA is designed to help individuals accumulate additional funds for retirement while enjoying tax incentives and investment flexibility. Unlike employer-sponsored retirement plans, PERA belongs to the individual, making it portable across different employers and career paths.

Representing BPI Wealth at the forum were Yvette Mari de Peralta, Head of Wealth Clients, and Kenneth John Gavino, Head of Institutional Wealth, who shared how financial institutions and employers can work together to encourage a stronger culture of retirement investing among Filipinos.

“Time is one of the most valuable assets an investor has,” said de Peralta. “Starting early allows even modest, consistent investments to compound over time. The longer you stay invested, the greater your opportunity to build wealth and reach your retirement goals with confidence.”

BPI Wealth also engaged participants through its PERA booth at the BSP Assembly Hall, where attendees, including representatives from small and medium enterprises, learned more about retirement planning, investment strategies, and how they can begin building long-term financial security through PERA.

“PERA empowers Filipinos to keep building their retirement savings wherever their careers take them,” said Gavino. “With portability, tax-exempt investment earnings, a 5% annual tax credit on qualified contributions, and tax-free distribution to beneficiaries, PERA is one of the country’s most compelling retirement investment solutions.”

Visit the PERA page for more information.