ATRAM Trust Corp., one of the largest independent asset managers in the country, is launching the country’s first globally invested retirement funds under the state-backed Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) framework.

To capture growing demand for offshore assets, ATRAM announced that it will introduce two feeder funds—the ATRAM PERA Global Dividend Accumulation Feeder Fund and the ATRAM PERA Global Allocation Feeder Fund—allowing local savers to diversify their retirement portfolios beyond domestic equities and fixed income.

ATRAM’s move marked the shift for the underutilized PERA program, which has historically been restricted to local investment options.

By embedding these global strategies into the PERA system, ATRAM said it aims to address long-term retirement shortfalls in a country where savers are increasingly looking to outpace inflation.

Under the voluntary PERA framework established in 2008, Philippine tax residents can contribute up to ₱200,000 annually—or ₱400,000 for overseas Filipino workers—while benefiting from a five percent tax credit and tax-free investment growth.

Instead of building new portfolios from scratch, ATRAM is repurposing two of its established offshore-focused strategies. The Global Dividend Accumulation fund will route capital into the Fidelity Global Dividend Fund, targeting blue-chip companies with resilient cash flows.

Notably, it will automatically reinvest dividends to maximize compound growth. The Global Allocation fund will feed into the BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, utilizing a multi-asset strategy designed to navigate volatile market cycles.

“Retirement planning should be accessible to every Filipino,” Deanno Basas, ATRAM Trust Corp. president, said.

“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,” he added.

Despite the tax incentives, PERA’s adoption has lagged since its inception due to complex administrative bottlenecks and a narrow product suite.

By partnering with global giants like BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity Investments, ATRAM is betting that brand-name global exposure will entice middle-class savers to lock away capital until the statutory withdrawal age of 55.

Savers can start participating in the PERA program with a minimum investment of ₱1,000.