II Pillar
The II pillar is one of the most rewarding long-term investments with tax incentive, and it is when you start saving for retirement at a young age that its full potential is revealed. Besides, the amount collected is heritable and you can withdraw it at your convenience. However, it would be wise to do this at retirement age, otherwise you will have to pay a 22% income tax.
Unique opportunity 4 = 10
The state still contributes 4% to the pool from social tax, but now you can choose whether you contribute 2%, 4% or 6%.
Rate of return of the pension funds
Simply keeping money in your account means you miss out on potential returns and the value of your money even decreases due to inflation. Over the past 20 years, the average rate of return on pension funds has outpaced inflation.
Long-term saving
Time is the best friend of a saver in the II pillar: a small amount each month will add up to a large sum decades later. Over a period of 10 years, at the current average salary, EUR 10,000 is accrued, to which productivity and compound interest are added.
Joining the II pillar is free and only takes a few minutes. It is just as easy to switch funds later.
Bring your II pillar to usIncrease the contributions to the II pillar
By default, your contribution is 2%, but now you can decide for yourself whether it stays that way. A 25-year-old saver with an average salary can have a significant impact on the size of the pension by their choice alone. The state still adds 4% from social tax and if you choose to contribute 6%, the total is 10%. The higher the contribution, the bigger the pension.
The rate of return of the selected pension fund(s) and the eighth wonder of the world are added: compound interest. II pillar contributions are made from the gross salary, which means an immediate 22% income tax benefit.
Submit an applicationWhy save at LHV?
Best rate of return
Our investment policy is to achieve the highest possible long-term rate of return. Over the past 20 years, LHV pension funds have performed the best in Estonia.¹
Firm management
The assets of LHV pension clients were better protected during the last major economic crisis. We will do our utmost to ensure that future economic shocks also have as little of an impact on savings as possible.
Green future
We were the first to launch an environmentally friendly fund with the aim of making the economy more sustainable. With your choice, you contribute to a greener future.
Support of Estonia
Out of the Estonian pension funds on the market, LHV’s funds are the most active in making investments in Estonia. We have our own large and capable local investment team.
How to choose a pension fund?
Two important issues need to be taken into account when selecting the II pillar pension fund: how long you have left until retirement and how much risk you want to take. As a rule, the more a fund invests in stock markets, the higher the risk level of the fund, but also the higher the expected rate of return.
LHV II pillar pension funds
At LHV, you can choose from seven II pillar pension funds, which can be divided into four larger groups.
Accumulate your pension where it grows
Three easy steps to join the LHV II pillar
Log in to the self-service.
Choose the suitable LHV fund to which you wish to direct deposits and exchange existing units.
That’s it. Today’s decisions can start earning money for your future.
CLAIM
‘Inflation is eating up my money’
REALITY
Typically, pension funds have a rate of return. If the rate of return is positive, it will help to grow your savings and also cope with inflation. So far, the average rate of return of Estonian pension funds has been 4.2% per annum and it has exceeded inflation, however, the ambition and performance of LHV pension funds have been more than a good average.
CLAIM
‘I won’t even reach retirement’
REALITY
You can withdraw your pension money when you want, but you must take into account the current tax regime. In addition, what is accumulated in the II pillar is heritable, but the rights of the state pension, i.e., the I pillar, are not. The average life expectancy in Estonia is currently 74 for men and 82 for women.
CLAIM
‘I invest better myself’
REALITY
When times are good, investing seems very easy and everyone wants to do it themselves. However, there is no other unique system like ours, where the state contributes much more than you do. Take advantage of all the preferential investment products offered by the state, such as the II and III pension pillar, as you will certainly save up more than you would on your own.
CLAIM
‘The retirement age is always being raised’
REALITY
While people are currently working out of their own volition, working will become the new normal in the future as the retirement age moves further away. One of the beneficial changes of the pension reform is the flexibility of withdrawals. You can withdraw money in any case – but it is better to do it when you are older and other income is lower.
CLAIM
‘I want to reduce existing commitments’
REALITY
Withdrawing money before retirement age is simply too costly and doing so makes you miss out on a unique savings scheme that turns 2% of your gross salary into 6% of your personal pension money. Take your time to assess the different options and come for a consultation. If you leave the II pillar now, you will not be able to rejoin it until 10 years have passed.
CLAIM
‘Management fees are too high’
REALITY
Estonian pension funds have reduced fees by about 2.5 times within the past 10 years. Fee rates are at or even below the level of pension systems in other countries. LHV’s management fees are average in Estonia, but the results are the best over the past 15 years.
CLAIM
‘Rate of return is poor’
REALITY
Pension accumulation is a long-term process, and during this time the economy is hit by many crises. It is important to be a winner in the long run. The assets of LHV pension clients were better protected during the last major economic crisis from 2008 to 2010.
CLAIM
‘The government changes, so the public policy of the state may change’
REALITY
Lengthy court disputes in 2020 showed unequivocally that what is accumulated in the II pillar is the personal property of a person that cannot be taken away at will by any government. As long as the state offers the possibility of converting 6% of your tax money into your personal pension through the II pillar, with you contributing only 2% of your gross salary, it is worth holding on to this option. There is no other investment solution as attractive as this.
CLAIM
‘Unexpected costs need to be covered’
REALITY
We understand that there are all sorts of situations in life and sometimes unexpected expenses cannot be avoided. But there are other ways to collect, such as the III pillar. The III pillar is one of the most flexible investment options, where you can add money in the amount you want and withdraw it as soon as you need it. In addition, the state refunds the 22% income tax on contributions to the III pillar. Example: if you pay EUR 1,000 into the III pillar this year, the state will refund EUR 200 to you next year. Read more about the III pillar.
CLAIM
‘My children are my pension pillar’
REALITY
Of course, children want to help their parents, but they have their own responsibilities too, and it is possible that you may be reducing their chances of one day being able to manage their future in a better way. After all, it is a good feeling to be able to look after yourself in old age.
CLAIM
‘I keep all my banking in one place’
REALITY
The truth is that things should always be where they perform well. Over the last 15 years, LHV has shown that it is good place for your pension to grow. Keep your pension where it grows the most efficiently.
CLAIM
‘I am putting money from the II pillar into the III pillar’
REALITY
This is unlikely to be a wise decision, as you will first have to pay the 22% income tax when withdrawing money from the II pillar, and then you will also not be able to count on the social tax portion (4%) that has been added by the state to the II pillar. In addition, you will not be able to rejoin the II pillar for the next 10 years.
Let us know if you have any questions
Together we will find the right solution.
Reet Roos
pension consultant
Mon–Fri 8–17
680 2743
Sign up for a consultation
Do you value different investments and risk spreading?
LHV Pensionifond XL is suitable if
- you have more than 15 years left until retirement,
- you are prepared to take above-average risks,
- your aim is the long-term growth of your pension savings.
LHV Pensionifond L is suitable if
- you have more than 10 years left until retirement,
- you have average risk tolerance,
- your aim is the long-term growth of your pension savings.
LHV Pensionifond M is suitable if
- you have 3–10 years left until retirement age,
- you have moderate risk tolerance,
- your aim is the long-term stable growth of your pension savings.
Do you believe in a green transition?
LHV Pensionifond Roheline is suitable if
- you have more than 15 years left until retirement,
- you are partial to thinking green,
- you would like to invest your pension funds in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.
Do you prefer low management fees and take higher risk?
LHV Pensionifond Indeks is suitable if
- you want to invest in financial markets on a continuous basis,
- you wish to grow your pension pillar at the lowest possible costs,
- you have prior personal investment experience.
Want to keep the money you have collected?
LHV Pensionifond S is suitable if
- you have 2–5 years left until retirement age,
- you have low risk tolerance,
- your aim is the preservation and modest growth of your pension savings.
LHV Pensionifond XS is suitable if
- you have less than 3 years left until retirement,
- you have low risk tolerance,
- your aim is to preserve your savings and avoid losses.