Insurance
Cars & motorcycles
Property
Loans & mortgages
Price comparison
Healthcare & pensions
Other services
Pillar 3a is a type of private pension and together with pillar 3b forms the third pillar of the Swiss pension system. This system is divided into three pillars:
Third pillar pensions are voluntary, private schemes. They allow you to actively improve your personal financial situation in retirement as you can choose from a range of savings and insurance solutions to suit your needs.
Restricted pension plans are available from banks (3a accounts, investment funds, life insurance products) and insurance companies (pension policies).
Overview of pillar 3a
Although private pillar 3a pension plans are voluntary, ideally everyone should have one. Pillar 3a is a real all-rounder. You can use it to improve your financial situation in old age, earn interest, provide insurance protection and make up pension shortfalls – as well as cut your tax bill.
In the short term:
You can deduct pillar 3a contributions up to the maximum set amount from your taxable income – and your pillar 3a deposits are exempt from wealth tax. Pillar 3a therefore helps you to reduce your annual tax bill.
You can use our tax calculator to quickly work out how much you could save.
In the medium term:
Money from pillar 3a can be used to buy residential property.
Since preferential interest rates are applied to pillar 3a accounts, it is worth paying in early in the year. If you pay in at the beginning of the year, you will benefit from a whole year's interest. Compare current interest rates here.
Maximum contribution for employed and self-employed persons
Year | Maximum amount with pillar 2 | Maximum amount without pillar 2 |
---|---|---|
2021 | 6,883 | 34,416 |
2020 | 6,826 | 34,128 |
2019 | 6,826 | 34,128 |
2018 | 6,768 | 33,840 |
2017 | 6,768 | 33,840 |
2016 | 6,768 | 33,840 |
2015 | 6,768 | 33,840 |
2014 | 6,739 | 33,696 |
2013 | 6,739 | 33,696 |
2012 | 6,682 | 33,408 |
2011 | 6,682 | 33,408 |
2010 | 6,566 | 32,832 |
2009 | 6,566 | 32,832 |
2008 | 6,365 | 31,824 |
2007 | 6,365 | 31,824 |
2006 | 6,192 | 30,960 |
2005 | 6,192 | 30,960 |
2004 | 6,077 | 30,384 |
2003 | 6,077 | 30,384 |
Example
A single adult with no children, no assets and a taxable income of 80,000 francs can save up to 1,548 francs per year in the canton of Zurich.
Calculate your savings here: Tax calculator
It's a good idea to start thinking about investing in the third pillar as early as you can. Building up a solid savings cushion is crucial for determining how much financial freedom you will have in retirement.
The law permits you to access your pension account earlier in the following circumstances:
You can request a withdrawal from the pension account under the following conditions:
Set up multiple 3a accounts and withdraw them at staggered intervals when you start approaching retirement. Wherever you live in Switzerland, the tax rate is lower if you withdraw 30,000 francs on five separate occasions than if you withdraw 150,000 francs at once. You cannot withdraw money any earlier than five years before statutory retirement age. For this reason, it rarely makes sense to have more than five accounts. Remember that the you must withdraw the balance of each 3a account in full.
It is possible to withdraw savings from your pillar 3a account five years before statutory retirement age. Equally, if you continue working beyond retirement age, you can defer withdrawal by up to five years.
Note for non-Swiss citizens paying withholding tax:
When paying into a pillar 3a account, the same conditions apply as for Swiss citizens. However, you need to contact the responsible withholding tax office directly if you want to make these contributions tax-deductible.
How do I find a suitable pillar 3a account?
A pillar 3a account will give you greater financial flexibility when you retire. There is wide range of pillar 3a accounts available from by both banks and insurance companies. However, traditional pillar 3a accounts that earn interest have become less and less attractive in recent years because of the continued negative interest rate strategy adopted by the Swiss National Bank. Investment accounts are therefore becoming more attractive than savings accounts. With this type of account, you have a better chance of achieving higher returns. However, the risk is also higher. Another option is to invest in index funds or exchange traded funds (ETF).
Pillar 3a accounts are also being affected by the trend towards digitalization. For example, some start-up companies, in partnership with a bank, now enable you to manage your pillar 3a account easily on your smartphone. Pillar 3a insurance policies are another option available on the market. With these products, you are bound by a contract to make regular payments. You therefore lose some flexibility. However, this type of policy can be a good solution for people who otherwise lack the discipline to save for retirement.
Whichever pillar 3a account you choose, it’s important to check the costs involved. The higher these costs, the more your possible returns or interest will be eroded by fees.
Pension tips for every life situation
Whatever your situation in life, there are different aspects to consider if you want to live the life of your choice in old age. You can find the most important here:
The capital you accumulate by means of pension savings can help you realize the dream of owning a home. Find out here what to watch out for.
Tips for financing a home purchaseBeing responsible for a family raises specific questions with regard to pensions. Find out here which solutions are available that fit your needs.
Tips for familiesWhat you decide now will shape your financial future. When it comes to pensions, you need discipline and patience. We explain how to find the right strategy for you and your goals.
Tips for adultsWhen you retire, your financial situation will change significantly. The decisions you make now will determine your standard of living in retirement. We explain what matters.
Tips for retireesThe time has nearly come for you to retire. Now you need to decide whether to withdraw your capital in one go or draw a monthly pension. We explain how to make the right choice.
Pension or lump sum?More and more people nowadays are fulfilling the dream of taking a longer time-out, often to travel, even around the world. Find out here how this might affect your pension.
Tips for globetrottersEntrepreneurial freedom brings with it extra responsibility for many things. If you want to save for retirement, you need greater discipline and more expertise. Here are some valuable tips.
Tips for self-employed peopleWho knows what the future will bring? Flexibility and independence are important to young people. Nevertheless, it makes financial sense to start saving for a pension early on. Find out why here.
Tips for young peopleExplanation of terms
From “advance withdrawal” to “tax deduction” – we clarify the key terminology associated with pillar 3a.
The independent partner service Optimatis and its qualified staff will work with you to establish a clear overview and produce a snapshot of your current situation. Optimatis can offer you the solution that best fits your needs from the wide range available on the market – a good reason to seek advice from an independent expert.
Simply request an appointment and a specialist advisor will be in touch. During the meeting, you can decide how and whether you wish to proceed with the solutions proposed.
Have you started to save privately for retirement?
Pillar 3a: comparison of current interest rates
Tax calculator for the pillar 3a
Back to top
Stay up-to-date with the latest savings deals as well as expert tips on health, money and tax.
By registering, I agree to my data being processed in accordance with the data privacy statement of comparis.ch.
© 1996–2020 comparis.ch AG, Birmensdorferstrasse 108, 8003 Zurich, +41 44 360 52 62