The third pillar is designed for saving capital. It is subdivided into tied savings (pillar 3a) and free savings (pillar 3b). The state encourages private retirement savings and therefore grants tax benefits and privileges on pillar 3a holdings. In return, the retirement savings capital remains tied for pension provision and is subject to statutory limitations. There are no such limitations for pillar 3b savings, nor are there any tax advantages.

You can save for retirement with a pillar 3a retirement savings account. You can pay a certain amount each year into such an account which is interest-bearing. Alternatively, your savings capital can be invested into a pillar 3a equities portfolio. Investing in equities enables you to benefit from the development of the financial markets and generally produces better returns. It does involve higher risk, however.

Yes, the state encourages the creation of capital by granting tax advantages. But private retirement saving plans can also serve as death and disability coverage. The longer you contribute to your third pillar, the more capital you save, thanks also to the compound interest effect. The capital can be withdrawn later under certain conditions, for example to finance the purchase of an own home.

To open a pillar 3a account, you must be over 18, live in Switzerland (this includes cross-border workers) and earn an AHV/AVS contributory income. We offer securities investments from the first franc.

There is no minimum contribution. Every year, you can choose if and how much you wish to contribute.

The Federal Council sets the maximum contributions in each case:

· for employees with a pension fund - maximum CHF CD_J_FAQ_Mindestbeitrag_PKAnschluss

· for self-employed persons (without a pension fund) - maximum 20% of net income or maximum CHF CD_J_FAQ_Erwerbseinkommen_max.

You can transfer the savings contribution by bank transfer or standing order.