A pension plan is a contract designed for long-term savings with the goal of improving our quality of life in the future. The periodic or one-time contributions we make are allocated to a pension fund. This fund invests the money we are saving in various financial assets, such as bonds or stocks, to help it grow over time.
The main purpose of this instrument is to accumulate capital that we can use later in specific situations: retirement, disability, death, or dependency, among others. However, we must keep in mind that, in addition to benefits, these products have their complexities, as the money we save is illiquid. This means we cannot access it until the specified conditions are met. To better understand how this strategy works, we will analyze in this article who participates in a pension plan, why they are illiquid, and whether they are suitable for us.
Who participates in a pension plan?
Behind every pension plan, there are several key players, and it is essential to know them to understand how this system works. To explain this, we will rely on detailed information provided by the Bank of Spain (BdE).
- The sponsor: This is the entity that promotes the plan. In individual plans, sponsors are usually financial entities, such as banks, insurance companies, or fund managers, that design long-term savings products and make them available to the public. In employment plans, the sponsor is a company, public administration, or organization that creates a plan for its employees or members. On the other hand, in plans for freelancers or collectives, associations, cooperatives, or unions may promote plans aimed at self-employed workers or specific sectors as a simplified way to access the system.
- The participant: This is us, the people who decide to join the plan and, in most cases, make the financial contributions to the fund. The participant is the plan holder and has certain rights, such as deciding whether to continue contributing, pausing contributions for a time, or resuming them after a break. In individual plans, participants contribute from their own accounts, while in employment plans, the worker usually receives contributions from their employer or contributes through their own salary. It is also important to note that participants can have multiple plans simultaneously, depending on their employment situation and financial needs.
- The beneficiary: This is the person who receives the benefits from the pension plan. While the beneficiary and the participant are usually the same person, this is not always the case. If the pension plan is claimed due to disability or dependency, the participant is also the beneficiary. However, in the event of the participant’s death, the beneficiary will be the person previously designated by the participant. This ensures that the accumulated savings are not lost but instead passed on to the person(s) the holder has chosen.
Why are pension plans illiquid?
One drawback of this strategy is that pension plans are illiquid, meaning we cannot use this money until the specific conditions outlined in the contract are met. These conditions usually include the onset of retirement, death, a severe illness, or prolonged unemployment.
The primary reason for this restriction is to support the purpose for which these plans were created: to ensure income or capital during key moments in life when regular income decreases or disappears. If people could freely access these funds at any time, there would be a risk of using the savings for other purposes, jeopardizing future financial stability.
Previously, it was possible to withdraw contributions that were more than 10 years old, but this option has been temporarily frozen until 2025. For instance, if someone made a contribution in 2015, they will be able to access that amount in 2025. Currently, if we make contributions, we will not be able to withdraw the money until the date specified in our contract.
Is a pension plan the best option for saving for the future?
To decide if a pension plan is the right tool for us, we must first assess how it fits into our overall financial strategy and employment situation. If we work for a company that offers employment pension plans with additional contributions, it can be an especially attractive option. On the other hand, for freelancers or those who do not have these advantages, a pension plan becomes a more personalized tool, where the time horizon and savings goal play a crucial role and require more effort. In both cases, it is essential to consider tax benefits, liquidity limitations, and associated fees, which can make a difference in the fund’s long-term growth.
Additionally, we must take into account the current economic environment, inflation, interest rates, and the evolution of the public pension system. A pension plan can be an excellent foundation for our retirement, but it should not be our only tool: diversification remains key. Complementing it with other options, such as index funds or real estate investments, can help us mitigate risks and ensure a more secure future.
