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Priska, why is it worth starting to contribute to pillar 3a as soon as possible?

The earlier you start your private pension, the more time you have to build up assets for the future. You don’t have to start with large amounts. The most important thing is to put money aside regularly.

If you also invest your pension assets in securities, you can benefit from the potential returns offered by the financial markets over the long term. This can make a significant difference, especially if you have a long investment horizon.

Priska Auf der Maur, Privatkundenberaterin bei der Zuger Kantonalbank.

Maximum pillar 3a contributions for 2026 and 2027

Individuals affiliated with a pension fund can pay a maximum of CHF 7,258 into pillar 3a in 2026. From 2027, this amount will increase to CHF 7,373. This corresponds to around CHF 604 or CHF 614 per month, respectively.

Higher limits apply to employed persons not affiliated with a pension fund: They can contribute up to 20% of their net earned income, subject to a maximum of CHF 36,288 in 2026 and CHF 36,864 in 2027.

You can deduct the contributions from your taxable income. This allows you to build up pension assets while benefiting from tax advantages.

Is it better to contribute monthly or pay the full amount at the beginning of the year?

Both have advantages. A monthly standing order makes it easy to plan your pension contributions and regularly put money aside. If you invest this money in securities on an ongoing basis, your purchases will also be spread across different market phases.

If you have the full amount available at the start of the year and invest it directly in securities, your money has more time to grow and benefit from potential capital market returns.

The key is to choose the approach that best suits your financial situation.

What happens if I cannot pay the maximum amount?

Even smaller contributions are worthwhile. You decide for yourself how much to pay into your pillar 3a in line with the legal requirements.

Since 2026, it has also been possible – subject to certain conditions – to make up for missed contributions. This applies to contribution gaps dating back to 2025. One of the prerequisites is that you must have already paid the maximum permitted regular contribution for the year of the retroactive payment. There are also limits on the amount of contributions you can make.

Is it enough to pay my money into a Savings 3 account?

Your pension assets earn interest on a Savings 3 account. However, if you still have many years before you plan to withdraw your savings, you should also consider securities-based savings.

Investing in securities allows you to benefit from potential capital market returns and build up assets over the long term. Depending on the investment strategy you choose, pension funds may invest in equities and bonds, for example.

Why is the investment horizon so important when investing in securities?

The earlier you start, the more time you have to benefit from potential capital market returns. Over a longer period, reinvested earnings can generate additional returns, helping you build up your pension assets.

At the same time, a long investment horizon gives you greater scope to ride out temporary market fluctuations. The key is to choose an investment strategy that matches your personal risk capacity and risk appetite.

Which pillar 3a investment solution is right for me?

That depends on how you want to structure your private pension provision. Key factors include your investment horizon, risk capacity and risk appetite.

If you wish to build up your pension assets in an account and earn interest, you can opt for a Savings 3 account.

If you would prefer to invest your pension assets in securities and receive professional guidance when selecting suitable investment funds, ZugerKB Investment Advisory Savings 3 is the right choice. The investment strategies of our ZugerKB retirement savings funds incorporate our investment experts’ assessments of the financial markets.

If you would prefer to make your own investment decisions, ZugerKB E-Invest Savings 3 offers a digital solution. It allows you to select your own funds and invest your retirement savings in securities over the long term.

The important thing is to choose a solution that suits your personal circumstances and that you can maintain over the long term.

Can I access my pillar 3a savings at any time?

Pillar 3a is designed for private retirement provision. Your pension assets are therefore generally tied up until you retire. In return, you benefit from tax advantages: you can deduct your contributions from your taxable income up to the statutory maximum amount. In addition, earnings are not subject to ongoing income tax during the term.

Early withdrawals are permitted in certain circumstances specified by law, such as purchasing a home for your own use, becoming self-employed or permanently leaving Switzerland.

Under the standard rules, you can withdraw your pillar 3a assets no earlier than five years before the OASI reference age. If you have multiple pillar 3a accounts, you can spread your withdrawals across different tax years, subject to certain conditions. This may offer tax benefits depending on your personal circumstances. The capital is taxed separately when withdrawn.

What would you recommend to someone who wants to start planning their private pension now?

Starting today puts you ahead. Time is particularly important when it comes to private pensions. The earlier you start, the more time your pension assets have to grow.

It's worth considering not only making regular contributions to pillar 3a but also exploring the opportunities offered by securities-based saving. With a long investment horizon, you can take advantage of capital market opportunities to build up your assets over the long term.