Article 82
The Article 82 scheme enables you to receive a lump sum or an income supplement paid in the form of a life annuity which becomes available on your retirement.
Key information
Finance supplementary retirement savings thanks to your employer
From the moment you join the scheme, you will be assigned an individual retirement account that will be topped up with contributions paid in regularly by your employer.
You may supplement these savings by making voluntary payments if so allowed under your plan.
Select the type of financial management that suits you
You may choose between two financial management regimes depending on your needs and objectives.
You may change your mind at any time free of charge.
You have the option to secure some or all of your savings by investing in the euro-denominated Sécurité vehicle.
Release your retirement savings under various circumstances
There are specific cases allowing for early release during your working life so that you can receive your savings in the form of a lump sum in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
How does it work?
If you have signed up to an Article 82 scheme, your individual retirement account will be topped up with compulsory contributions paid in by your employer.
Your scheme may also be topped up with funds transferred from another scheme of the same type.
When you retire, you may select the type of annuity that is best suited to your circumstances and those of your relatives or choose to withdraw your savings in a lump sum if your annuity is less than or equal to €1,200 per year.
Should you run into financial difficulties, you may withdraw your savings in a lump sum under specific circumstances allowing for early release permitted by the plan.
How are your savings invested?
Your savings may be invested in:
- The euro-denominated Sécurité vehicle, the annual revaluation of which is fully vested. The amount of savings invested therefore increases year after year. The interest calculated generates interest in subsequent years. This vehicle consists mostly of bonds with a very cautious investment profile.
- Other (unit-linked) vehicles covering different investment objectives, asset classes, regions, business sectors and risk levels. Note that unit-linked vehicles entail a risk of loss of capital.
You may manage the savings available in your individual retirement account in one of two ways:
- Manager-guided investment, which consists in delegating management of your savings to asset management experts; this enables you to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the financial markets by investing in various vehicles and to gradually secure your savings until you retire.
- Self-managed investment, which enables you to freely choose how your savings are allocated between the various financial vehicles and to change this allocation whenever you so wish.
You may switch from one type of management to another at any time free of charge.
What happens to your savings if you change company?
Your retirement savings will continue to grow even if you leave the company.
You may continue to make optional individual payments, either on a one-off basis or via a standing order, provided you have not joined an Article 82 scheme subscribed by your new employer.
What happens to your savings in the event of death?
Beneficiaries are designated by default when you join the scheme. However, you may make use of the beneficiary clause if you yourself wish to designate the beneficiaries of your savings should you die before your retirement. This choice may be modified at any time but becomes irrevocable if accepted by the beneficiary.
Our schemes also allow for a minimum guarantee which ensures that your beneficiaries will, at the very least, receive the accumulated amount of net contributions paid in since you joined the scheme, thereby offering protection against volatile financial markets.
What is the tax regime applicable to this scheme?
Refer to our factsheet for all the tax-related information regarding Article 82.