PGBL vs VGBL: The Guide to Private Pension
Private Pension is a long-term investment modality widely used to complement the INSS public pension, plan asset succession or carry out long-term projects, such as paying for children's college education.
When contracting a pension plan, the investor is faced with two crucial decisions that define profitability and taxes paid: choosing between the PGBL and VGBL models and defining the taxation table (Progressive or Regressive).
In this article, we explain the practical differences and show how you can use our Private Pension Simulator to compare scenarios before investing.
1. PGBL vs VGBL: What's the Difference?
The main difference between the two plans is in the way Income Tax (IR) is charged and deducted:
PGBL (Free Benefit Generator Plan)
The PGBL is ideal for those who fill out the Complete Income Tax Declaration. It allows you to deduct monthly contributions from the IR calculation base up to the limit of 12% of your annual taxable gross income.
- Advantage: You pay less tax today and leave the money you saved in the pension fund.
- Disadvantage: At the time of redemption, Income Tax is levied on the total accumulated value (the sum of all your investments plus the income obtained).
VGBL (Free Benefit Generator Life)
VGBL is recommended for those who fill out the Simplified Income Tax Declaration, are exempt or have already reached the 12% deduction limit in PGBL and want to continue investing.
- Advantage: Upon redemption or receipt of the benefit, Income Tax is levied only on the income of the fund, and not on the capital invested.
- Disadvantage: It does not allow deduction of the amount invested in the annual income tax declaration.
2. Choosing the Tax Table
In addition to the type of plan, you must choose how the IR will be calculated upon redemption:
Regressive Table (Focus on the Long Term)
The tax rate decreases as time passes, encouraging long-term investments:
- Up to 2 years: 35%
- From 2 to 4 years: 30%
- From 4 to 6 years old: 25%
- From 6 to 8 years old: 20%
- From 8 to 10 years old: 15%
- Over 10 years: 10% (the lowest income tax rate in the Brazilian financial market)
Progressive Table (Focus on Short Term or Low Income)
The rates follow the traditional personal income tax table, ranging from exempt to 27.5% depending on the monthly amount redeemed or received as retirement. It is recommended for those who plan to redeem small monthly amounts in the future so that they remain in the exemption or low tax brackets.
Compare Plans in Practice
Choosing the wrong way can significantly reduce the net return on your pension investment.
To help you decide, we created a tool that simulates contributions, calculates the tax benefit of PGBL in reais and reveals the net redemption balance compared to VGBL. Click here to access the PGBL vs VGBL Simulator and plan your future!