Wie viel darf ich 2026 in die Säule 3a einzahlen?

How much may I contribute to Pillar 3a in 2026? Content: Employees with a pension fund may contribute the maximum contribution of CHF 7'258 in 2026. Self-employed people without a pension fund can deduct up to 20 percent of their earned income, no more than CHF 36'288 per year. Anyone who wants to contribute to Pillar 3a opens a 3a account or a 3a policy; the contribution must be credited to the account within the relevant calendar year. Those who keep working past the OASI reference age can contribute for up to five more years and use the tax deduction until retirement.

What tax advantage does Pillar 3a offer?

Contributions to Pillar 3a are deductible from taxable income up to the maximum amount and thus lower your income tax. How much you Save taxesdepends on income and canton of residence. You calculate your personal tax saving with the tax calculator.

Should I run my Pillar 3a as an account or with securities?

For a short horizon under 10 years, the 3a pension account is safer, but low-yielding. From 15 years, the return potential of securities and digital pension apps is significantly higher. Over long periods, a noticeably higher final capital can arise. Anyone who wants to Invest chooses the right investment strategy according to risk appetite and investment horizon. An overview of the investment products such as mixed funds, ETFs and equities helps with the choice. During market turbulence , long-term thinking pays off, as short-term fluctuations usually even out over a long investment period.

What is better: bank or insurance?

Bank solutions are more flexible and cheaper; insurance solutions combine saving with risk protection but tie you in for longer. Which suits you better depends on your need for flexibility and protection. The conditions of the individual Swiss 3a providers are shown by the direct comparison.

When can I withdraw Pillar 3a?

The ordinary withdrawal at retirement is possible at the earliest five years before the OASI age. Advance withdrawals are permitted for Home ownership, emigration, taking up self-employment, an IV pension or a buy-in to the pension fund. Anyone planning a withdrawal should review the withdrawal timing and staggering over several years to minimise the tax burden. For home ownership, pledging can be sensible instead of an advance withdrawal, so that the pension assets stay invested; however, it leads to a higher mortgage. Whether a staggered withdrawal of 3a and pension fund is worthwhile depends on the canton and your situation; the withdrawal order can influence the tax burden.

Is a 3a split across multiple accounts worthwhile?

Anyone who spreads their 3a balance across multiple accounts can withdraw the balances over different tax years later on. This spreads the capital payout and can reduce the tax progression on withdrawal. In many cantons, however, withdrawals in the same year are added together.

How much wealth can I build with Pillar 3a?

With a full contribution over 30 years and a securities strategy with 60 percent equities, a final capital of around CHF 350'000 to 500'000 can arise with average performance. There is no guarantee of this. How strongly the capital grows over the years is made visible by the Compound interest calculator ; the actual performance depends on interest and returns over the investment period.

What happens to Pillar 3a in the event of death?

In the event of death , the 3a balance goes to the legally defined beneficiaries: spouses and registered partners, children, other supported persons. A cohabiting partner must be expressly reported to the pension institution as a beneficiary and meet certain conditions.

What applies to Pillar 3a in the case of unemployment, divorce or part-time work?

In the case of unemployment , contributions are possible as long as OASI-liable unemployment daily allowances or earned income exist; without such income, no contributions can be made. In the case of a divorce , the 3a balance built up during the marriage is divided depending on the marital property regime. Part-time work and career breaks can lead to a Pension gap , which statistically affects women more often. How strongly Pillar 3a works in your situation depends on income, career phase and family status, and on which pension type you correspond to.

What do people taxed at source and expats need to consider?

People taxed at source can claim contributions for tax purposes via a subsequent ordinary assessment (SOA). The application must be submitted to the canton of residence by 31 March of the following year. For Expats , special rules often apply, depending on residence and employment status. Before leaving the country, it is worth reviewing the existing Pillar 3a.

Do I pay tax when switching my 3a provider?

No. On a provider switch , the balance is transferred directly to another recognised pension institution, without withdrawal tax and without losing the tax advantages. Only for a 3a insurance is it worth checking the old 3a policy for surrender value and costs beforehand.

Pillar 3a: private pension provision at a glance

Q: What is the difference between Pillar 3a and Pillar 3b?

What is the difference between Pillar 3a and Pillar 3b? Content: Pillar 3a is the restricted private pension within the Swiss 3-pillar system: contributions up to the maximum contribution are deductible from taxable income, but the balance can only be withdrawn under certain conditions. Pillar 3b is the free provision, more flexible, but without the 3a tax deduction.

Pillar 3a helps you close pension gaps and reduce your tax burden. At Compando you learn how to make the most of the benefits of Pillar 3a and what to watch out for.

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What is Pillar 3a?

The Swiss pension system is built on three pillars: state, occupational and private provision. The third, private provision is divided into the restricted Pillar 3a and the unrestricted Pillar 3b.

The Swiss 3-pillar system

How does the 3-pillar system work? And what is the difference between Pillar 3a and Pillar 3b? Learn more about Swiss retirement provision here.

More about the 3-pillar system

What are the benefits of Pillar 3a for me?

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Save taxes with Pillar 3a

A major benefit of Pillar 3a is the tax saving. You benefit with every contribution to Pillar 3a.

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Build wealth with Pillar 3a

Regular contributions grow into solid pension assets over the years.

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Finance home ownership with Pillar 3a

You can also use your Pillar 3a to make your dream of owning a home come true.

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Close your pension gap with Pillar 3a

With Pillar 3a you close the gap in old age and secure the standard of living you want.

Which Pillar 3a solution should I choose?

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Pillar 3a bank or insurance: which solution fits?

Is your Pillar 3a better placed at a bank or an insurance company? Both paths build pension capital but differ in costs, returns, flexibility and risk protection. Compando compares the two solutions.

13.04.2026

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Invest Pillar 3a: account or securities?

On the Pillar 3a account your retirement money loses purchasing power over the years. Compando shows from which investment horizon securities pay off, how high the risk actually is and for whom the account nevertheless remains the right choice.

10.04.2026

Compare Pillar 3a providers

Calculate your possible 3a assets

The essentials about Pillar 3a

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Employees

CHF 7'258

per year

CHF 2'500

Calculate tax savings

How much tax do you save with Pillar 3a? Calculate your personal savings by income and canton of residence.

Providers overview

Banks, insurers and pension apps with fees, strategies and conditions in a direct comparison.

Compando service

Have your Pillar 3a policy checked→

Our Pillar 3a guide

Switzerland's 3-pillar system: how retirement provision works

How does retirement provision in Switzerland work? Compando explains the three pillars, OASI, the pension fund and private provision, their tasks and their interplay.

15.04.2026

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Pillar 3a vs. 3b: the key differences

Pillar 3a or 3b, which form of provision suits you best? Compando compares taxes, flexibility, withdrawal and the combination of both pillars.

13.05.2026

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Is Pillar 3a worth it? Advantages and disadvantages

Saving for retirement while reducing taxes: that is the idea behind Pillar 3a. Whether Pillar 3a is really worth it for everyone and what to watch out for, Compando explains.

08.05.2026

Pillar 3a bank or insurance: which solution fits?

Is your Pillar 3a better placed at a bank or an insurance company? Both paths build pension capital but differ in costs, returns, flexibility and risk protection. Compando compares the two solutions.

13.04.2026

Close-up of a couple signing an insurance contract

Pillar 3a investment strategy: from defensive to aggressive

How much equity belongs in my Pillar 3a? Compando shows which equity allocation from defensive to aggressive suits which investment horizon, how strongly it moves your pension assets over 30 years and when a change of strategy is worthwhile.

05.05.2026

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Pillar 3a retirement: when to withdraw and save taxes

At retirement, Pillar 3a, pension fund and OASI come together. Compando explains which deadlines apply, what to consider in an early retirement and how a coordinated withdrawal order can lower the tax burden.

11.05.2026

ETF-Investmentkonzept mit Holzblöcken und Diagramm

ETFs in Pillar 3a: what Swiss providers really offer

Passive index solutions are among the cheapest ways to invest Pillar 3a in securities. Compando shows what Swiss providers mean by an ETF, what you can actually choose and how strongly the fees act over 30 years.

06.05.2026

More about Pillar 3a

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Withdraw Pillar 3a: what you should know about the payout

The withdrawal of Pillar 3a is legally limited to certain times and reasons. Compando explains when a withdrawal is possible, how you apply for it and which taxes arise.

10.04.2026

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Pillar 3a returns: how much is realistic?

How much return does my Pillar 3a really bring? Compando shows which return is realistic, how heavily the fees eat into it and why Pillar 3a pays off even without a return.

05.05.2026

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Cancel Pillar 3a: close the account or switch provider

A Pillar 3a account can be cancelled, whether to switch to a cheaper provider or, in legally defined cases, to withdraw the balance. Compando shows what to watch out for when cancelling Pillar 3a, what the switch costs and what applies between bank and insurance.

16.04.2026

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From what age to contribute to Pillar 3a?

Starting Pillar 3a early gains years of compound interest. Compando calculates the head start of starting at 25 versus 45, shows the tax advantage and how small amounts work long-term.

08.05.2026

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Invest Pillar 3a with little money: are CHF 50 a month worth it?

Anyone who starts early does not need large contributions. Compando shows where the entry threshold really lies, what CHF 50 or CHF 100 a month produce over the years and what matters with small contributions.

05.05.2026

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Open a Pillar 3a account: requirements and process

Anyone wanting to open a 3a account chooses between a bank and a pension app; an insurance company offers a tied pension policy instead. Compando shows who is eligible, how the opening works and which documents are needed.

30.04.2026

Pillar 3a: private pension provision at a glance

All in one place

Calculate & compare

Personally guided

What is Pillar 3a?

The Swiss 3-pillar system

What are the benefits of Pillar 3a for me?

Save taxes with Pillar 3a

Build wealth with Pillar 3a

Finance home ownership with Pillar 3a

Close your pension gap with Pillar 3a

Which Pillar 3a solution should I choose?

Pillar 3a bank or insurance: which solution fits?

Invest Pillar 3a: account or securities?

Calculate your possible 3a assets

The essentials about Pillar 3a

Maximum contribution 2026

Compound interest calculator

How much to contribute to Pillar 3a?

Calculate tax savings

Providers overview

Have your Pillar 3a policy checked→

Our Pillar 3a guide

Switzerland's 3-pillar system: how retirement provision works

Pillar 3a vs. 3b: the key differences

Is Pillar 3a worth it? Advantages and disadvantages

Pillar 3a bank or insurance: which solution fits?

Pillar 3a investment strategy: from defensive to aggressive

Pillar 3a retirement: when to withdraw and save taxes

ETFs in Pillar 3a: what Swiss providers really offer

Popular Pillar 3a articles

Multiple Pillar 3a accounts: save taxes with 3a splitting

Pillar 3a retroactive contribution: close contribution gaps

Optimise Pillar 3a withdrawal: save taxes with staggering

Pillar 3a contribution deadline: the last possible date

Investment funds Pillar 3a: active or passive?

Pillar 3a for self-employed: maximum contribution, taxes and pension fund

More about Pillar 3a

Withdraw Pillar 3a: what you should know about the payout

Pillar 3a returns: how much is realistic?

Cancel Pillar 3a: close the account or switch provider

From what age to contribute to Pillar 3a?

Invest Pillar 3a with little money: are CHF 50 a month worth it?

Open a Pillar 3a account: requirements and process

Pillar 3a: Important questions and answers

What is the difference between Pillar 3a and Pillar 3b?

What is the difference between Pillar 3a and Pillar 3b?

Wie viel darf ich 2026 in die Säule 3a einzahlen?

Wie viel darf ich 2026 in die Säule 3a einzahlen?

What tax advantage does Pillar 3a offer?

What tax advantage does Pillar 3a offer?

Should I run my Pillar 3a as an account or with securities?

Should I run my Pillar 3a as an account or with securities?

What is better: bank or insurance?

What is better: bank or insurance?

When can I withdraw Pillar 3a?

When can I withdraw Pillar 3a?

Is a 3a split across multiple accounts worthwhile?

Is a 3a split across multiple accounts worthwhile?

How much wealth can I build with Pillar 3a?

How much wealth can I build with Pillar 3a?

What happens to Pillar 3a in the event of death?

What happens to Pillar 3a in the event of death?

What applies to Pillar 3a in the case of unemployment, divorce or part-time work?

What applies to Pillar 3a in the case of unemployment, divorce or part-time work?

What do people taxed at source and expats need to consider?

What do people taxed at source and expats need to consider?

Do I pay tax when switching my 3a provider?

Do I pay tax when switching my 3a provider?