Livret A up to €30,000: the increase in the ceiling has been implemented for 2027, but for what purpose?

This has been in question since last September, since Monique Barbut, Minister of Ecological Transition, raised the idea of ​​raising the ceiling of the Livret A to 30,000 euros (compared to 22,950 currently) in order to finance energy renovation projects. It is official today: Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has just announced that the ceiling of the preferred investment of the French will indeed increase in February 2027, to reach between 25,000 and 30,000 euros. The exact amount will be validated following a final consultation with the Caisse des Dépôts and the banks. And this, even though the deputies had just voted against this initiative.

But the financial needs of the State are such that it was preferred to expand the size of this envelope which today totals 445 billion euros. Such an increase could increase total outstandings by 10 billion euros, knowing that only 15% of the 58 million Livret A accounts are already at the ceiling. A precious windfall, but for what purpose?

New vocations for this envelope

Originally, the funds collected and managed mainly by the Caisse des Dépôts were used to exclusively finance social housing. But for some time now, political circles seem to have found other vocations for him. There has recently been talk of financing the war effort, the energy transition, nuclear recovery and recently the renovation of high schools. Without these projects causing cries from various associations, political parties, or even Bercy which sees in this increase in the ceiling an attrition of its income, the capital gains from the sale of the Livret A being fully tax exempt. The network banks are not any happier, the management of the booklet A costs them money.

This increase planned for next February will be concomitant with a very probable increase in the yield of this envelope currently set at 1.7%. Experts expect a range between 2.4% and 2.7% given the current rise in interest rates.

The wealthiest will be the most favored by this measure

If some want to see this decision to raise the ceiling as a populist desire, it should nevertheless be emphasized that the only people to benefit from this generosity will be those already at the ceiling, and therefore rather well-off. Especially since it is possible for a family to have several A booklets (one per person and per child).

The French are deserting the Livret A: these investments which now yield more

Finally, it should be noted that this investment, although ultra-liquid and tax-free, is not the best solution for long-term savings, as pointed out in a recent parliamentary report. According to this study, it appears that over a long period, the return on Livret A has often fallen below , causing its holders to lose . And to regret the lack of financial education of the French who turn to this type of investment instead of going towards other solutions that are more profitable over time and more conducive to business financing.

Machine-translated from French