Pension planning in Switzerland
We should all start planning for our retirement by the age of 50 at the latest. From calculating pension gaps to withdrawing 3a assets: find out everything you need to know and get tips on planning your retirement.
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Find the right solution for your situation independently.
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The initial consultation with the experts at Optimatis is free of charge.
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The customer portal is a one-stop shop for all insurance contracts.
Independent advice
Find the right solution for your situation independently.
Free initial consultation
The initial consultation with the experts at Optimatis is free of charge.
Clearly arranged storage
The customer portal is a one-stop shop for all insurance contracts.
Pension planning: why it's important
The normal retirement age in Switzerland is 65. However, you should start planning your retirement a lot earlier. You should be thinking about your life after retiring by the age of 50 at the latest.
If you plan early, you can close any pension gaps in good time and optimise taxes with pension fund purchases and pillar 3a. Start thinking now about withdrawing your occupational pension and pillar 3a assets. You still have enough time to split your pillar 3a.
Experts can help you to plan your retirement. Optimatis, the brokerage partner of Comparis, offers independent pension planning advice.
Optimal pension planning in three steps
Get an overview of your current situation and your wishes for retirement:
What income do you expect from the state pension, your occupational pension and pillar 3a?
What other assets do you have?
What standard of living would you like to maintain in retirement?
What are your fixed and variable expenses after retiring?
Would you like to retire earlier? Or gradually? Or would you like to work beyond the retirement age?
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need 80% of your last income to maintain your standard of living after retirement. Is your post-retirement income lower than the required amount calculated? If so, there is a pension shortfall.
There are different ways to rectify pension shortfalls:
Make the most of pillar 3a: pay in the maximum amount every year. It is now also possible to make additional payments.
Voluntary purchases into the pension fund improve pension benefits and generate tax advantages.
Flexible retirement: retiring later can significantly increase your pension benefits.
Build up assets in pillar 3b: for example, through real estate, securities and savings accounts.
Our pension planning guide
The Swiss pension system
The Swiss pension system is based on the state pension (pillar 1), the occupational pension (pillar 2)and the private pensionpillar 3).
Pillar 1: OASI (AHV/AVS)
Old-age and survivors’ insurance (OASI) is the cornerstone and first pillar of the social security system in Switzerland (German: AHV, French/Italian: AVS). It is also known as the state pension.
Tips on planning for retirement
Calculating your pension shortfall in Switzerland
Gaps in state pension: what you need to know
Pension payout: tips
Pillar 3a payout: how to cancel the 3a pension account
Pension fund card: how to read your PK statement correctly!
Early retirement in Switzerland: what do you need to know?
FAQs on pension planning
When it comes to pension planning, you can never start too early. around 50 years of age at the latest. This will give you time to rectify any pension shortfalls.
The cost of pension planning depends on the provider. Most banks offer relevant advice, but so do some insurance companies and independent financial advisory firms. Depending on the provider, you will pay a flat rate or an hourly rate. The first consultation is often free of charge.
The initial consultation with Optimatis, the brokerage partner of Comparis, is free of charge.
This depends on your needs after retiring. As a rule of thumb you'll need 80% of your last income each year to maintain your standard of living.
There is no general answer to this question. However, you will find the maximum possible purchase amount in your occupational pension fund statement.
This is the difference between the maximum retirement assets possible and the actual assets saved.
By making a voluntary contribution you can increase your retirement savings and save on taxes.
The normal retirement age for men and women in Switzerland is 65. Transitional provisions apply to women born between 1961 and 1963.
In the event of early retirement, you can withdraw the funds from your state pension, occupational pension and pillar 3a earlier:
– For the state pension, a maximum of two years before the statutory retirement age.
– For the occupational pension, a maximum of seven years before the statutory retirement age.
– For pillar 3a, a maximum of five years before the statutory retirement age.