Pillar 3a: Overview of Guides to the Swiss Third Pillar

There are numerous moneyland.ch guides covering many different aspects of personal finance. This article gives you a clear overview of moneyland.ch guides that answer questions about the pillar 3a category of tax-privileged retirement planning. 

• How much can I pay into the pillar 3a?

The guide to the maximum pillar 3a contributions explains how much money you can add to your pillar 3a retirement savings each year. The limit varies depending on whether or not you have an occupational pension fund. The guide also provides an overview of the maximum contributions in past years. 

• How much can I save on taxes by using the pillar 3a?

The guide to pillar 3a tax deductions shows you how saving with the pillar 3a can lower your tax bill. The exact tax savings vary depending on which municipality you live in. The guide also tells you how to claim the pillar 3a tax deduction, and explains how your retirement savings will be taxed when you withdraw them from the pillar 3a.

• Which pillar 3a solution is right for me?

The guides listed below can help you choose the right pillar 3a solution for your saving or investment needs. They explain the differences between pillar 3a savings accounts, pillar 3a retirement funds, pillar 3a asset management services, and pillar 3a life insurance products. They also list the criteria for choosing between these options, including your risk tolerance, the investment term, costs, flexibility, and your personal situation.

• The guide to choosing a pillar 3a savings account tells you what to consider when choosing a pillar 3a savings account.
• The guide to choosing the right pillar 3a investment fund tells you what points to look at when choosing a retirement fund to invest in.
• The guide to pillar 3a asset management services explains what to look for when choosing a pillar 3a robo advisor.

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Online comparison service moneyland.ch offers unbiased comparisons for the following pillar 3a solutions:

• Pillar 3a savings accounts
• Pillar 3a investment funds
• Pillar 3a asset management services

• Should I contribute to the pillar 3a this year?

The guide to postponing pillar 3a payments shows you when paying into the pillar 3a in the current year makes sense, and when you could save money by postponing the contribution and then closing the gap in a different tax year. It explains the impact on your tax bill, and tells you when pillar 3a closing gaps in a later year can benefit you.

• At what time of year should I pay into the pillar 3a?

Many people are unsure about whether they should pay into the pillar 3a as a lump-sum at the start or end of the year, pay in a series monthly installments, or just make sporadic contributions. The guide to timing your pillar 3a contributions explains which option is suited to your needs.

• Are there fees and charges for using the pillar 3a?

Saving with the pillar 3a does not necessarily have to generate fees and charges. The guide to possible pillar 3a fees and charges explains which costs may apply. Depending on which retirement foundation is used, you may be charged fees if you move your pillar 3a savings to a different foundation, or if you make an early withdrawal.

• How can I start using the pillar 3a?

The guide to opening a pillar 3a account shows you which banks and other service providers offer account-opening in person, online, or by mail. It also shows you which service providers require you to also have a private account with them, and which do not. Additionally, the guide explains which documents you need to provide when opening a pillar 3a account.

• When can I withdraw my pillar 3a savings?

Normally, you are only allowed to begin withdrawing your savings from the pillar 3a after you reach the age of 60. But the guide to early pillar 3a withdrawals explains the exceptional situations in which you can withdraw money from the pillar 3a before reaching that age. It also explains how early withdrawals are taxed.

One situation in which you can withdraw pillar 3a savings early is to buy a primary residence. The guide to using pillar 3a savings to finance a home gives you all the most important information on this topic. It is also possible to use pillar 3a as collateral for a home loan, as explained in the guide to indirect amortization using the pillar 3a.

• Can I keep my pillar 3a retirement funds after I reach retirement age?

Whether or not you can remain invested in retirement funds after retirement depends on which service provider you use. You can find useful information in the guide to keeping pillar 3a investment funds after retirement.

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