3rd pillar and life situations
The 3rd pillar is a pension tool that accompanies you throughout your life. Depending on your personal situation — marriage, divorce, birth of a child, job loss or moving abroad — the rules and optimal strategies vary considerably.
This guide brings together all common life situations and explains how to make the most of your 3rd pillar in each case. Use our 3rd pillar calculator to simulate your personal situation.
Family situations
3rd pillar for couples
Tax optimization for married couples and cohabiting partners, double deduction, choice of beneficiaries.
3rd pillar and divorce
Capital sharing, differences between 3a and 3b, procedures and tax consequences.
3rd pillar in case of death
Beneficiaries, beneficiary clause, priority order, inheritance taxation.
Saving for children
Savings strategies for your children with pillar 3b, options and practical advice.
Professional and life situations
Job loss and unemployment
Continuing to contribute while unemployed, early withdrawal, impact on pension.
Moving abroad
Withdrawal conditions, EU/non-EU differences, taxation and deadlines.
Swiss naturalization
Impact on the 3rd pillar, conditions for foreign residents in Switzerland.
Planning by age
3rd pillar for young people
Advantages of starting early, compound interest, minimum amounts and tips.
3rd pillar at retirement
Withdrawal options, capital vs annuity, optimal timing and tax strategies.
Need personalized advice?
Every situation is unique. To get an analysis tailored to your case, request a personalized offer from our partners. You can also consult our Swiss pension system guide to understand how the 3rd pillar fits into your overall social protection.