Promotional bonuses on euro-denominated life insurance funds are increasingly marketed as “boosters.” The temporary offers are designed to attract new deposits, allowing providers to invest in higher-yielding bonds and potentially strengthen the funds’ returns over time, according to Cyrille Chartier-Kastler, founder of Goodvalueformoney.eu.
The bonuses can benefit eligible savers, but their headline rates may give an incomplete picture of the return. Offers often have restrictive conditions and can widen differences between policyholders, while the promotional rate may apply only to specific deposits made during a limited window.
Some offers are presented as valid across two years, such as 2026 and 2027. That does not necessarily mean the higher rate applies to the whole period: the increase is generally calculated in proportion to the time and applies only to qualifying contributions made within the stated three-, four- or six-month subscription window.
Eligibility rules can include minimum deposits of several thousand or tens of thousands of euros, caps on contributions, or a requirement to hold a minimum share of unit-linked investments, known as unités de compte in France. These investments carry risk, unlike the euro-fund component.
The article cites mutual insurers Matmut, Carac and MIF as examples of offers with broader eligibility. Matmut offered a 5% enhanced rate on deposits made from April 1 to June 30; Carac offered an additional 1% on all 2026 deposits, potentially rising to 1.5% for investments above €250,000; and MIF offered a 1.05% bonus on deposits of €500 to €500,000 made from April 1 to July 31.
Sources: Le Monde Économie.