Savings is popular in 2022. Faced with generalized inflation that does not seem to dry up, many French prefer keep their savings warm rather than embarking on risky investments.
In the second quarter of 2022 the household savings rate France was at 15.5% according to INSEE, a figure lower than in the first quarter (16.7%) but still very high compared to at pre-pandemic levels.
Even if the French, according to the National Institute of Statistics last April, had less and less certain of their future ability to savelet alone optimism about their personal financial situation.
Unsurprisingly, the household investment of choice remains the unrivaled Livret A, the savings account exempt from tax and mandatory deductions whose interest rate is set by the state twice a year.
A year ago, its yield was still 0.5% : historically, this was its lowest interest rate… Above all, it was then at a level much lower than inflation, which has since continued to rise.
Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire announced this in July last year The Livret A rate would be increased by 2%.
However, the variable remains below the inflation level, estimated of 6% in October 2022.
But these data did not free the French of their preferred savings product : last August, the savings deposited in Livret A 367 billion euros according to the Caisse des Dépôts.
The government has also assured that there will be no further increase in the Livret A rate. before… February 2023.
Livret A and LDDS: a rate of 3% in 2023?
“There will be a further increase in the Livret A tariff on 1 February“, Banque de France assured the newspaper The Parisian.
The new interest rate on the savings product could then familiar with the 3%if we rely on the calculation method established in the decree of January 21, 2021.
“It is calculated as the six-month average of the inflation rate and the short-term interbank interest rates, rounded to the nearest tenth of a point. It is clear that the updated rate, which was decided on 15 January for use on 1 February, could thus be 3%”, notes the daily.
At Merci pour l’Info, economist Philippe Crevel agrees: the rate will rise to 3%, straight, 3.25%.
The remuneration of The booklet on sustainable and solidarity-based development (LDDS) is expected to see a similar rise.
Other products that will increase in 2023
Other savings products will definitely look their course is automatically revalued in 2023.
Thank you for the information note and a possible write-up People’s Savings Account (LEP)currently at 4.6%, up to 6%. “A high return for a short-term investment,” comments economist Philippe Crevel.
Compared to housing savings plan (PEL)its rate (currently at 1%) may increase between 2 and 2.5%from 1 January 2023.
The remuneration of housing savings account (CEL)calculated at “two-thirds of the rate for Booklet A, rounded to the nearest quarter point or, failing this, to the higher quarter point”, explains Philippe Crevel of Merci pour l’Info for his part. reach 2% gross.
But what will happen to the French’s second favorite location, life insurance?
Life Insurance: Insurers’ “Secret Weapon” for 2023
Faced with Livret A’s unwavering popularitymore accessible and more profitable in the short term, “the star of life insurance is fading a little”, observes The Parisian. At the end of September, its outstanding fell by 40 billion euros in a year. It must be said that its average yield, at 1.3% in 2021, is less attractive than its “rival”.
In 2022, experts estimate that this rate may rise to 1.7 to 2%.
“The gross average return for 2022 will reach 1.8%. It will settle in a range between 1-1.2% to 2.8-2.9% gross, depending on the contracts”, states Philippe Crevel at Merci pour l’Info.
A maneuver made possible thanks to what the Parisian calls insurance companies’ “secret weapon”. : the provision for profit sharing (PPB).
Specifically, it is one fund of around 63.2 billion euroscorresponding to “the part of the remuneration due to the insured, which the companies can decide to postpone”, explains The Parisian.
The insurance companies should say more on their action plan for 2023 at the start of the year.
