Enhancing public contributions of Housing Subscriptions Savings and Comprehensive Tax-free Savings: Lessons from regulated savings policies in France

This study examines strategies to enhance the public contribution of Korea’s Housing Subscription Savings and Comprehensive Tax-free Savings by analyzing regulated savings systems in France. Housing Subscription Savings currently serves as the primary funding source for the Housing and Urban Development Fund in Korea. However, its effectiveness is undermined by the declining number of subscribers and deposits during housing market downturns, as well as by the low welfare benefits provided to subscribers. Comprehensive Tax-free Savings aim to assist vulnerable social groups in building assets but their deposits are used by private banks for profit-oriented purposes rather than for public benefit. On the other hand, French-regulated savings products such as Livret A, Livret de développement durable et solidaire (LDDS), and Livret d’épargne populaire (LEP) are tax-free demand-deposit accounts that prioritize subscriber welfare. Additionally, a significant portion of the funds collected through these products is allocated to public-interest projects, resulting in improved subscriber welfare and greater public resource allocation. Adopting key elements of the French model could significantly improve Korea’s Housing Subscription Savings and Comprehensive Tax-free Savings systems. It is estimated that such reforms could secure more than KRW80 trillion in additional funding for the Housing and Urban Development Fund. This would not only stabilize and expand financial resources of the Fund but also strengthen support for vulnerable groups and enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.