ATRAM Trust Corp. is taking the government’s voluntary retirement savings program beyond Philippine shores, launching the country’s first globally invested Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) funds in a move that broadens investment choices for Filipinos preparing for retirement.
The new ATRAM PERA Global Feeder Funds allow PERA contributors to invest in professionally managed global portfolios while retaining the tax incentives and long-term savings benefits under the government’s PERA program.
The launch marks a milestone for a retirement system that has long been dominated by domestic investment options. As Filipinos live longer and face increasingly complex financial needs, global diversification is emerging as a key strategy for building more resilient retirement portfolios rather than relying solely on the performance of local markets.
“Retirement planning should be accessible to every Filipino,” said Deanno Basas, President of ATRAM Trust Corp. “Through the ATRAM PERA Global Feeder Funds, we are expanding the investment options available under PERA and helping more Filipinos build long-term financial security through globally diversified solutions.”
The offering includes two funds tailored to different investor objectives.
The ATRAM PERA Global Dividend Accumulation Feeder Fund invests in the Fidelity Global Dividend Fund, targeting high-quality companies with strong fundamentals while automatically reinvesting dividends to maximize long-term compounding.
Meanwhile, the ATRAM PERA Global Allocation Feeder Fund provides exposure to the BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, giving investors access to a diversified mix of global equities, fixed income, and other asset classes through a single portfolio.
Rather than creating entirely new investment strategies, ATRAM adapted two of its established global feeder funds for the PERA platform, allowing retirement savers to tap the expertise of two of the world’s largest asset managers within the government’s retirement framework.
The move could also help breathe new life into PERA, whose adoption has remained modest since its launch more than a decade ago. By offering globally diversified investment options, ATRAM is betting that greater choice and wider market exposure will encourage more Filipinos to begin saving earlier and invest more consistently for retirement.
