BSP, SEC partner to better protect Filipino retirement money
By Derco Rosal
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have formalized a data-sharing agreement, including access to and use of retirement account system data, to protect the retirement savings of account holders.
In a Dec. 10 statement, the BSP said it formalized its partnership with the SEC by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on data sharing last week.
Access to and use of information from the BSP-managed Personal Equity and Retirement Account System (PERASys) also formed part of the deal. PERASys is the central database for all PERA contributors, tracking their savings and tax incentives.
Under the MOA, both regulators will collaborate to share and responsibly use PERA contributor data securely. Such an approach, the BSP said, would enable “effective service for Filipinos investing for their retirement.”
“With this partnership, we are building a system that keeps your information safe and your future more certain. It is one more step toward helping every Filipino retire with dignity and peace of mind,” said BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr.
Under the deal, the BSP and the SEC will comply with data privacy laws and maintain strict standards for confidentiality, recordkeeping, and data security. The MOA also sets clear procedures for reporting, managing operational issues, and protecting information.
Last October, the BSP lifted the 10-percent foreign ownership limit on retirement funds, allowing most PERA unit investment trust funds (UITFs) to purchase central bank securities and diversify the savings of overseas Filipinos.
This restriction had prevented overseas Filipinos from investing in BSP-issued debt securities.