Pagibig Mp2
Do you know there’s a chance to earn passive income through Pag-ibig or the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)? It’s called MP2 or modified Pag-ibig savings program.
When MP2 was launched in 2010, it’s been posting higher and tax-free dividend compared to time deposit and savings account. And this year, the dividend rate is announced at 7.23%.
Pag-ibig MP2
Every employee has to have a contribution to Pag-ibig regular savings. It is mandatory. Whatever you’ve put in becomes the basis on how much you can loan when you’re planning to build a house or purchase real estate. It does earn some dividends.
But if you want higher dividends, MP2 is what might suit you. It is purely voluntary so actually you have to open it on top of your regular savings.
How much dividends can I earn?
Dividend rate is usually declared around the first quarter of each year. It varies depending on the performance of the fund. It’s published on the website and announced in the news along with the company’s financial reports. The amount can vary depending on its actual income.
Related: How to make the most out of your Pag-IBIG MP2 earnings
Four Pag-ibig MP2 strategies you need to know
Latest MP2 dividends
In 2021, Pag-IBIG announced its latest MP2 dividend is 6.12%. That means it has an average dividend rate of 7.26% for the past five years. (We use five years since it is the maturity of the account.) See below the rest of the dividends since 2010. The 2010 rate is based from the financial statement of Pag-IBIG, the rest are from the Esquire, and company announcement as reported in the media.
| YEAR | MP2 DIVIDEND |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5.50% |
| 2011 | 4.63% |
| 2012 | 4.67% |
| 2013 | 4.58% |
| 2014 | 4.69% |
| 2015 | 5.34% |
| 2016 | 7.43% |
| 2017 | 8.11% |
| 2018 | 7.41% |
| 2019 | 7.23% |
| 2020 | 6.12% |
Pag-ibig MP2 versus time deposit vs. regular Pag-ibig
Here’s the comparison between time deposit interest, Pag-ibig (mandatory) regular savings dividends and MP2 dividends since 2010.
As you can see, it actually beats both time deposit and mandatory savings consistently every year.
The table below shows the average returns until 2018. Time deposit rate is based on BSP report, while Pag-IBIG rates are culled from Pag-IBIG financial statements, Esquire, and other online sources.
| YEAR | TIME DEPOSIT | PAG-IBIG | MP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3.23% | 4.11% | 5.50% |
| 2011 | 3.00% | 4.13% | 4.63% |
| 2012 | 2.60% | 4.17% | 4.67% |
| 2013 | 1.72% | 4.08% | 4.59% |
| 2014 | 1.18% | 4.18% | 4.68% |
| 2015 | 1.35% | 4.83% | 5.33% |
| 2016 | 1.53% | 6.93% | 7.43% |
| 2017 | 1.71% | 7.61% | 8.11% |
| 2018 | 2.17% | 6.91% | 7.41% |
| 2019 | 2.98% | 6.73% | 7.23% |
| Average | 2.15% | 5.37% | 5.96% |
How does Pag-ibig earn?
Where do they invest? Actually, Pag-ibig is a mutual fund where people’s contributions are invested in many assets. According to the law, 70% are into financing housing loans.
Other sources of income are from its short term loans, sovereign securities (acquiring debts from the government), time deposits, and bonds from companies.
Are you eligible?
Anyone who is actively contributing to the mandatory savings is qualified. Exemptions have been granted to people who are no longer employed such as those who are former members with 24 monthly savings as long as they have a source of monthly income.
Benefits of Pag-ibig MP2?
These are the many advantages when you begin MP2 as source of passive income.
- Earnings are tax-free.
- It is guaranteed savings backed up by the government, so it’s ideal for conservative investors who want to have a safe place to invest and without capital loss.
- There are no fees and charges, so your invested amount remains intact. It is unlike mutual funds where there are sales load.
- Eligible members include those who are no longer actively employed but are still earning an income.
- Dividends are historically higher than a savings account, time deposit, and the mandatory savings.
- Dividends can be released to your bank or remain in the account to earn compounded growth.
- Contributions are flexible. Because it is voluntary savings, you can invest however you want: monthly, quarterly, or annually. Unlike variable universal life (VUL) policy, you are not tied to a contract where you’re required to pay periodic premium.
- The small capital requirement means that you can start even when you don’t have that much money.
- There is no limit on how much you put up. This is perfect for those who have more to invest.
- Account opening is easy as it’s like updating existing membership.
- To pay is also convenient. Contributions are accepted at any branch or participating payment centers. Now, Pag-ibig has an online payment facility.
- You can withdraw any time. Terms apply.
- This is ideal savings vehicle for medium-term financial goals.
- It can be a good way to diversify your portfolio and as a way to manage risks in your investments.
- Update: You can now open an online account on the website.
Disadvantages of MP2
What are the risks associated with MP2 investing?
- Lock-in period is set at 5 years.
- No rollovers are available. After 5 years, your contributions would earn the same returns as the mandatory savings. Two years later, it would not earn anything.
- If you wish to continue getting the benefits beyond five years, opening a new account is required.
- Doing transactions may be inconvenient for those without any Pag-ibig branches nearby.
- There is an opportunity cost when the earnings from MP2 are lower than other investment opportunities. For instance, some mutual funds and UITF funds have reported higher returns.
- When account is closed before five years, those who opted to receive the dividends at the end of 5 years will only be entitled to get 50% of the dividend. Meanwhile, those who opted to receive dividends each year will only be able to get back their capital.
How can I enroll with MP2?
Drop by any Pag-ibig branch. Bring any valid identification card, the required initial amount, and bank account where you want dividends to be credited.
You can actually download the online enrollment form. Make sure though that you are already a member who contributed for at least 24 months and have been issued a membership number.
There’s also an online application here.
How much should I save?
You can start for as low as ₱500, but it’s really up to you. If you want to put up more, like maybe ₱1,000, you can.
Is there limit to how much I can save with MP2?
You can go as high as you want. There is actually no limit on how much you can invest. Bear in mind that higher amounts may mean that you need do it in ways other than personally handing in cash. If the amount is at least half a million, you may need to issue a check.
How much can I expect to earn?
Below, you will see an estimate of how much your money would grow when saving for the next five years.
There are two results showing ₱500 and ₱1,000 monthly. The rate that’s being used is the average dividend rate since 2014. The rates in the past do not guarantee future returns.
Here’s a great article to read on how to make the most out of Pag-ibig MP2 earnings.
| YEAR | 500/MO | TOTAL | 1K/MO | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6,000 | 6,219 | 12,000.00 | 12,437.09 |
| 2 | 12,000 | 12,860 | 24,000.00 | 25,719.01 |
| 3 | 18,000 | 19,952 | 36,000.00 | 39,903.13 |
| 4 | 24,000 | 27,525 | 48,000.00 | 55,050.74 |
| 5 | 30,000 | 35,614 | 60,000.00 | 71,227.28 |
How often should I save?
It’s your choice how frequently you’d save for your MP2. The program accepts regular payment such as a monthly contribution that is if you prefer so. You may also opt to do it one-time. Either way, your savings can be eligible to receive the yearly dividends.
Where can I get my dividends?
There are two ways in getting your dividends: compounded or annually. In compounded, you wait until the lock-in period of 5 years. In annually, you get the dividends each year straight to your bank account.
Where can I pay my contributions?
Contributions can be deducted from your salary subject to your arrangement with employer. They may be accepted at any Pag-ibig branches or any of the participating payment centers: 7-11 stores, Bayad Centers, SM Business Centers, M. Lhuillier, and ECPay.
For OFWs and people who are located abroad, you can also remit through international partners such sa iRemit, via PayPilipinas, Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Asia United Bank (AUB).
For a more complete and updated list, you may check this online resource.
Can I open more than one MP2 savings account?
Yes. Multiple accounts are permitted. It might be an option for you if you’re saving for different financial goals, and you don’t want to mix up your funds for each of them.
When can I withdraw my money?
You may withdraw your money at the end of the lock-in period, which is 5 years. Certain situations allow you to close it within 5 years such as total disability, medical-related work separation, unemployment due to business closure or retrenchment, retirement, serious illnesses, migration abroad, unexpected demise, etc.
Should you close the account before the period on grounds not covered above, there’s going to be consequences. For compounded accounts, you’re only entitled to 50% of the dividends and those in annual accounts will only get their total savings minus all dividends.
If I don’t withdraw, what happens after 5 years?
If you keep your savings with Pag-ibig beyond the lock-in period, they will no longer earn the same dividend and instead will revert to the same earnings as the mandatory regular savings. After two years, if no withdrawal is done, they don’t earn any gains anymore.
Should you wish to continue enjoying the benefits, you can open a new MP2 account again.
References
- Business World. Pag-IBIG Fund profit hits P33B in 2018. Accessed July 8, 2019
- Pag-ibig. Pag-ibig Fund MP2 Savings Program. Accessed July 8, 2019
- Entrepreneur. Voluntary Placements Double for Pag-IBIG’s Tax-Free Savings Plan That Pay 8.1% p.a. Accessed July 8, 2019
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Annual – BSP. Accessed July 8, 2019
- Philippine Embassy. FAQs: Pag-IBIG FUND MP2 (MODIFIED Pag-IBIG 2) SAVINGS PROGRAM. Accessed July 8, 2019
- Department of Foreign Affairs. Pag-ibig Fund Programs. Accessed July 9, 2019
- Pag-ibig. Guide on Pag-ibig Facilities. Accessed July 9, 2019