Three pillars. One clear plan.
AHV, your pension fund and pillar 3a each do a different job. We look at all three with you and explain in plain words whether, and how, a 3a fits your life. Independent, and the first conversation is free.
- No health questions
- No promised returns
- A person replies, not a bot
Pillar 3a limit 2026CHF 7,258 with a pension fund- Independent broker, several insurers compared
- Advice in EN · DE · FR
- Office in Zurich, Strehlgasse 2
Three pillars, three different jobs.
Your retirement income will come from three sources. Gaps usually appear in the second and third. Tap a pillar to see what it does.
The base: for everyone living or working here.
Old-age and survivors’ insurance is funded by contributions from salaries and the state. It aims to cover basic living costs, not your current lifestyle.
- Who pays
- You, your employer and the state
- Covers
- Old age, and survivors such as widowed spouses and children
- Where gaps appear
- Missing contribution years, for example after time abroad
Three pillars, three different jobs.
Your retirement income will come from three sources. Gaps usually appear in the second and third. Tap a pillar to see what it does.
The base: for everyone living or working here.
Old-age and survivors’ insurance is funded by contributions from salaries and the state. It aims to cover basic living costs, not your current lifestyle.
- Who pays
- You, your employer and the state
- Covers
- Old age, and survivors such as widowed spouses and children
- Where gaps appear
- Missing contribution years, for example after time abroad
Three pillars, three different jobs.
Your retirement income will come from three sources. Gaps usually appear in the second and third. Tap a pillar to see what it does.
Through your job, if you are employed.
Together with AHV, the pension fund aims to let you keep your accustomed standard of living in an appropriate way. In practice, many people retire with clearly less than their last salary.
- Who pays
- You and your employer
- Covers
- Old age, disability and survivors, depending on the fund
- Where gaps appear
- Part-time work, career breaks, self-employment
Three pillars, three different jobs.
Your retirement income will come from three sources. Gaps usually appear in the second and third. Tap a pillar to see what it does.
Your own top-up, with a tax advantage.
Pillar 3a is tied pension saving with a yearly tax deduction. Pillar 3b is free saving, for example a life insurance policy, with fewer rules and fewer tax advantages.
- Who pays
- You, voluntarily
- Covers
- What you choose: savings, and cover if you add it
- Where it helps
- Closing gaps and lowering your taxes now
How much you can deduct.
Payments into pillar 3a are deducted from your taxable income. How much tax that saves depends on your income, canton and municipality.
For most employees. You can pay in less, or nothing in some years.
Typically for the self-employed.
Earlier in some cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
Limits are set by the federal government and adjusted from time to time. Figures for 2026.
Three ways to hold a 3a. None is best for everyone.
We compare them with you on what matters for your life, not on what pays us more.
 3a account |  3a in securities |  3a with an insurer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Flexible Any amount, any year, up to the limit. | Flexible Any amount, any year, up to the limit. | Fixed plan Regular premiums agreed for many years. |
| Ups and downs | The balance doesn’t fall. Interest is usually low and can change. | Can grow more over time, but can also lose value, sometimes for years. | Part of the value may be guaranteed by contract; the rest depends on the insurer’s results. |
| If you can’t work or die | No cover Only what you’ve saved. | No cover Only what you’ve saved. | Can include cover For example premiums paid for you if you become unable to work. |
| Stopping early | Simple: stop paying at any time. | Simple: stop paying at any time. | Can be costly Especially in the first years, you may get back less than you paid. |
| Often suits | Short horizons and people who value stability. | Long horizons and people who can sit out drops. | People who want saving and protection in one, and a fixed rhythm. |
General overview. Conditions, costs and guarantees vary by provider and product. Past performance is no guide to the future.
Thinking of cancelling a 3a policy? Talk to us first.
Cancelling an insurance policy early often means getting back less than you paid in, and any cover ends at once. Sometimes pausing premiums or adjusting the policy is the better choice. We look at the figures with you before anything changes.
Free advice, clear next steps.
Tell us your goalA few questions, about 2 minutes. No numbers needed.
We compare the optionsBank, securities and insurance 3a, side by side, with their costs and trade-offs.
You decide, we set it upNothing is opened, changed or cancelled without your signature.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Often yes, mainly for the tax deduction and to close gaps in retirement. Whether it fits depends on your budget and plans. We look at it with you, and we tell you if something else makes more sense.
Yes. Several accounts or policies are possible. That can help spread withdrawals over several years. The yearly limit applies to all of them together.
Generally at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age. Earlier withdrawal is possible in specific cases, for example to buy your own home, to become self-employed or when leaving Switzerland for good.
No. Interest rates change and securities can lose value. With insurance policies, only what the contract guarantees is guaranteed. We explain this clearly before you decide.
Not in this check. If you later choose a policy with cover for disability or death, the insurer will ask health questions when you apply.
The first conversation is free. We explain how we are paid before you decide anything.
Your future self will thank you. Start with one question.
Two minutes. No promised returns. A person reads every request.