More about the II pillar

From 2021, it will be possible for those Estonian tax residents who were born before 1983 to voluntarily join the II pillar.

Upon reaching the age of majority, the young person is automatically added to the II pillar pension system. To this end, it is worth choosing a suitable pension fund at an early stage to start saving money. We recommend a convenient life cycle fund for young people. If no choice is made, the fund will be selected by the Pension Centre (Pensionikeskus). If a young person does not want to join the II pillar, it is required to submit a statement of waiver concerning the II pillar (statement of non-payment) no later than 31 July of the year in which this person reaches the age of 18. In doing so, it should be taken into account that the next option to join will arise in 10 years.

It is possible to suspend the contributions to the II pillar up to two times during the saving period. The contributions are suspended for 10 years. After this time, it is possible to submit an application to continue with the contributions.

Those who voluntarily join the II pillar from 2021 have the option to suspend their contributions 10 years after joining.

The decision to suspend payments should be carefully considered. Before making this decision, please use the calculator on the website of eesti.ee.

It is possible to withdraw saved money from the II pillar up to two times during the saving period. The withdrawal of money also suspends contributions to the II pillar. The next option to join the II pillar will arise in 10 years.

Those who voluntarily join the II pillar from 2021 have the option to withdraw money 10 years after joining.

The decision to withdraw money from the II pillar should be carefully considered. Before making this decision, please use the calculator on the website of eesti.ee.

The right to use the money saved in the II pillar on more favourable terms arises upon reaching retirement age (retirement pension age minus five years). The recipients of a pension on more favourable terms also acquire the right to receive a payment on more favourable terms in their retirement age. In case of no work ability, the money can be withdrawn without having to pay income tax.

There are three options for payouts.

• Single payout. All collected investment units will be paid out at once. The payout is subject to 10% income tax.
• Funded pension. Regular payout from the pension fund(s). By choosing the length of the payout to be at least the expected years lived, the payouts are subject to 0% income tax. For a shorter period (minimum period is one year), the tax rate is 10%.
• Pension contract (lifetime or fixed-term). If requested, it is possible to enter into a lifetime or fixed term pension contract with an insurance company. To enter into a pension contract, it is necessary to contact a insurance company. Lifetime payouts are subject to 0% income tax. However, shorter, fixed-term contracts to 10%.

In order to receive payouts (single payout, funded pension), the application can be submitted at a bank representative office or via www.pensionikeskus.ee (Pension Centre). The payout is made on the 16th–20th day of the month following the payout period selected by the Pension Centre (except for an insurance contract).

For more information about your pension assets and payout options, please call our helpline at +372 631 0310.

In order to inherit the investment units, an application and a succession certificate should be submitted within 10 years from the opening of succession.

A private heir can submit an application for redemption of inherited investment units (the investment units are sold and the amount received from their sales, which is subject to income tax, is transferred to the current account of the heir) or the tranfer to their pension account. These options can also be combined: to redeem some investment units and transfer some to a pension account.

Legal heirs can apply for the redemption of inherited investment units.

From 1 June 2009 until 31 December 2010 the state contributions to the 2nd pillar pension funds were suspended. Those who wanted to continue personal contribution payments were able to submit an application to continue with contributions from 2010. In 2013 it was possible to submit an application to increase contribution. The first number shows personal and the second state contribution.

The State suspended 4% contributions made at the expense of social tax for the period 1.07.2020-31.08.2021. In October 2020, it was possible to apply for a suspension of 2% of salary payments.

For those who continue to contribute 2% of their remuneration during the suspension of payments, the state will compensate for its temporary suspension of payments during the period of 2023–2024. The state retrospectively transfers such an amount to the pension fund that it did not pay during the period of suspension of payments. Therefore, the state adds twice the amount paid by the person for the period of suspension of state payments. In addition, the state also compensates for the average return of Estonian Pillar II pension funds between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2022. If the return is negative during this period, the state will only compensate for the contributions. The compensation process is automatic and you do not have to do anything yourself.

ead more in detail about the temporary suspension of the Pillar II payments in the materials prepared by the Ministry of Finance (available only in Estonian and Russian).