EastWest is expanding access to its Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) products through new partnerships with investment platforms DragonFi and Luna Securities, giving Filipino investors additional digital channels for retirement investing.
The partnerships bring EastWest PERA to platforms that already offer digital investment services, potentially making it easier for investors to start building long-term retirement savings without relying solely on traditional investment channels.
Retirement investing moves closer to digital platforms
PERA is a voluntary retirement savings program designed to complement benefits from the SSS, GSIS, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. EastWest’s PERA products are available to local investors and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), with a minimum initial investment of ₱2,000.
Through DragonFi and Luna Securities, investors can access professionally managed EastWest PERA investment solutions through digital platforms.
EastWest Trust Officer and Head of Trust Asset Management Group Raul Victor De Guzman said the expanded access is intended to make retirement investing more convenient for Filipinos who may be uncertain about how to begin.
DragonFi adds PERA to its investment ecosystem
DragonFi provides digital access to various investment products, including stocks, funds, REITs, and PERA accounts, through its web and mobile platforms.
The platform also provides educational resources and investment tools, giving users additional resources as they navigate their investment options.
DragonFi CEO and Founder Jon Lim highlighted the importance of starting retirement planning early, particularly as Filipinos live longer and traditional sources of retirement income face changing circumstances.
Luna brings another mobile-first option
Luna Securities takes a mobile-first approach to investing, offering tools intended to make stock investing more accessible to Filipino investors.
Through its partnership with EastWest, Luna users gain another digital channel for accessing PERA products.
Luna Chairman and Co-Founder John Gatmaytan said partnerships between financial institutions and investment platforms can help broaden awareness of investment opportunities across different demographics and income groups.
The collaboration also adds retirement investing to the broader range of financial services available through digital investment platforms.
Key details
Investors considering EastWest PERA can start with an initial investment of ₱2,000, while subsequent contributions can be as low as ₱1,000.
The annual contribution limit is up to ₱200,000 for local investors and ₱400,000 for OFWs. Tax-free withdrawals are available once the account holder reaches 55 years old, provided the account has been funded for at least five consecutive years.
Early withdrawals remain subject to applicable tax clawbacks under PERA regulations.
More digital access could lower the barrier to retirement planning
For Filipinos who have yet to begin preparing for retirement, the availability of PERA through familiar digital investment platforms provides another entry point into long-term investing.
EastWest’s partnerships with DragonFi and Luna Securities also reflect the broader shift toward digitalizing financial services, where investment products are increasingly being integrated into platforms that investors already use for managing their portfolios.
With a relatively low ₱2,000 starting point and additional digital access through two investment platforms, EastWest PERA is positioned as another option for Filipinos looking to build retirement savings alongside their existing government and employer-sponsored benefits.
