Well -planned saving can significantly increase our pension capital, offering tax benefits. It allows you to build financial independence. However, it is worth knowing what forms of saving are available to choose the best solution for yourself.
According to Eryk Szmyd, an XTB analyst, each of the forms of saving in the third pillar has its own specificity – they differ, among others, by the payment limit, the method of taxation and the conditions of payment of funds.
– IKE allows you to avoid tax on capital gains (so -called beam tax) after the age of 60 (or 55 in the event of an early retirement) and meeting the statutory conditions. IKZE, however, benefits today-payments can be deducted from income in an annual PIT, and when paying after the age of 65 there is only a 10 % lump sum-he calculates.
Individual Pension Account (IKE)
An individual pension account is an account that allows for systematic collecting savings for retirement. Any citizen who is over 16 can open them.
In 2025, the IKE pay limit is PLN 26019 annually. Funds can be invest in various financial instruments – from investment funds to shares or bonds.
What about people conducting business activity? In the case of IKE, the rules are the same as for full -time employed people – the payment limit remains unchanged. When paying funds after the age of 60, the profits accumulated at IKE will not be charged with a 19 % tax.
The choice of the right institution that runs an account is of key importance. Profits depend on selected investment products, so it is worth approaching it with caution.
Individual retirement security account (IKZE)
IKZE differs from IKE mainly in tax benefits. In the case of IKZE, the funds paid can be deducted from the tax base, which allows the current income tax to reduce.
In 2025, the IKZE deposit limit is PLN 10407 60 GR for full -time employees and PLN 15611 PLN 40 GR for people conducting business activity.
When paying funds after 65 years of age, a flat -rate income tax of 10 percent is calculated. from all the funds paid (both payments and generated profits). In the case of earlier payment, the funds will be taxable on general terms, i.e. according to the tax scale.
It is worth remembering, however, that the funds accumulated on IKE and IKZE are fluctuated – their value can both grow and fall in time.
Employee Capital Plans (PPK)
PPK is a savings program co -financed by an employee, employer and state. People aged 18-55 employed full-time are automatically enrolled in PPK, although they have the right to give up it. On the other hand, people aged 55-70 can only join PPK on their own application.
The program provides for employee payments (2 % of remuneration) and employer (1.5 percent), as well as state subsidies (PLN 250 at the beginning and PLN 240 per year).
The funds collected in PPK are invested in the funds of the defined date, which automatically adapt the investment strategy to the participant's age. When it remains for a pension for many years, the fund places most of the funds in potentially more profitable but risky instruments (mainly actions). With time, as the participant approaches the retirement age, the fund gradually transfers capital to safer instruments (like tax bonds) to protect the accumulated savings against market fluctuations.
After the age of 60, the participant may pay the funds accumulated in PPK without 19 percent. tax on capital gains (so -called beam tax). To benefit from this exemption, however, specific conditions must be met. You can pay up to 25 percent at a time. funds, and the remaining 75 percent in at least 120 monthly installments. In addition, in the case of prior payment, you should take into account the loss of state subsidies and deducting some of the employer's payments.
Employee Pension Programs (PPE)
PPE is a form of voluntary saving for a pension organized by the employer. This is an option that allows employees to collect additional capital that is not subject to taxation or contributing by ZUS. Employer pays for PPE – they can be up to 7 percent. salary. The employee can also add their own resources.
Thanks to this form of saving, the employee has savings that can be solid support in the future. Profits generated under PPE are also exempt from beam tax if the funds are paid after the age of 60.
Unfortunately, PPE is only available to employees employed in companies that offer such a program, and there are few of these. People running their own business do not have access to this form of saving.
Inheritance of funds in the third pillar
One of the key advantages of all forms of additional retirement saving is the full heredity of the accumulated funds, in accordance with the general principles of inheritance law. In all these forms, the saving can be indicated by authorized persons who will receive funds after his death. If such people are not recommended, the funds are part of the entire inheritance mass.
However, it is worth remembering the specificity of IKZE inheritance: If the heir does not decide to transfer the inherited funds to his IKZE and will want to pay the funds directly, he is income according to the tax scale on the entire inherited amount.
What to choose?
According to Eric Szmyd, it is impossible to clearly determine which form of long -term saving in the third pillar is the best.
– It all depends on the individual financial and professional situation. IKZE will be particularly attractive for people with higher income and entrepreneurs, because it gives direct tax relief. In turn, IKE can be a good choice for long -term investors who are counting on the effect of assembly percentage and want to avoid taxation of profits. From the employee's perspective, PPE is extremely attractive, but only the employer can offer this form of saving. Unfortunately, this is not yet popular in Poland – explains the expert.
The analyst also emphasizes that the greatest risk in the third pillar is not the savings products themselves, but the way we invest the accumulated funds. It is worth remembering that each form of investment is associated with different levels of risk-from safe bank deposits to more risky investments in shares or ETFs. – It is crucial to match the investment strategy to your own risk, attitude and time horizon – he emphasizes.
Diversification and investment costs – what to look for
In addition to the products of the third pillar, it is also worth taking care of the wider diversification of the sources of retirement income. – Saving in the third pillar can be supplemented with traditional forms of investing, among others By building a database of revenues from dividend companies, with stable business models that regularly distribute profits among shareholders. In this way, regularly investing even small amounts, in the future you can ensure an additional source of income – emphasizes Eryk Szmyd.
The XTB analyst also points out that costs are a key factor affecting the final investment result. Account management and management fees can significantly reduce the profits. It is worth choosing offers with transparent and low costs. In the long run, the results achieved in this way, without brokering costs, will be significantly higher.
The decision to secure the future should be made as soon as possiblebecause time and percentage are allies in building capital. – The third pillar is still still the privilege of few, but the group of those interested will grow. […] In the current realities, he can decide whether the pension will be a time of peace and freedom – or the need for further professional activity – sums up Eryk Szmyd.
