There are basically three differences between a retirement plan and a pension plan:
Return A retirement plan offers a moderate return, based on legal technical interest, whereas with a pension plan the return is determined by the pension fund's investments, be they shares, bonds or both, shown by the level of risk which the client wants to assume.
Taxation The beneficiaries of a retirement plan are taxed when they receive payment on the difference between the sum received and the contributions made. On the other hand, pension plans allow you to deduct your contributions in your annual tax return, the maximum being 8,000 euros a year.
Availability With a retirement plan, the holder can redeem the money at any time in accordance with the cases provided for by current law. With pension plans, on the other hand, you may only have the money constituted at the time of retirement or in the cases laid down by law, i.e. in the event of serious illness or long-term unemployment. In addition, with effect from 2025 those pension plans which are at least 10 years old may be redeemed.