Pension Planning Fact-Find
Swiss pension and Pillar 3a fact-find form: current pension situation, AHV contributions, Pillar 2 Pensionskasse, Pillar 3a and 3b, planned retirement age, income needs. Covers BVG, AHV, and Swiss pension law.
Most Swiss residents can name their three pillars and very few can say what they will actually receive from them. The gap between the two is the entire purpose of a fact-find: not to explain the system, but to establish where this particular person stands in it before any advice is given.
Finding the pension gap
A pension gap arises when the combined income from AHV, Pensionskasse, and Pillar 3a/3b is insufficient to meet the client's desired retirement lifestyle. The gap is calculated by projecting all three pillars to retirement age and comparing the total against the target replacement income. This fact-find form provides all the inputs needed for a comprehensive gap analysis.
Swiss pension planning tip
The Pillar 3a maximum deduction for 2026 is CHF 7'258 for employed persons (CHF 36'288 for self-employed without Pensionskasse). Maximising annual contributions and staggering account withdrawals across multiple tax years can significantly reduce your tax burden at retirement.
What the form collects
- Personal details and planned retirement age
- AHV contribution history (gaps, self-employment periods)
- Current Pensionskasse (Pillar 2) capital and insured salary
- Existing Pillar 3a accounts and annual contributions
- Existing Pillar 3b (life insurance, savings plans)
- Estimated retirement income needs
- Planned early retirement or part-time transition
- Outstanding pension gaps and desired coverage
The AHV, or first pillar
The AHV (Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung) is Switzerland's mandatory state pension. Contributions are 8.7% of gross income (split equally between employer and employee). The standard retirement age is 65 for men and women (following AHV21 reform). Missing contribution years reduce the AHV pension proportionally. The 2026 maximum monthly AHV pension is CHF 2'520 for individuals and CHF 3'780 for couples.
The Pensionskasse, or second pillar
The Pensionskasse (PK) is Switzerland's occupational pension scheme, governed by the BVG. All employees earning above the entry threshold (CHF 22'680 in 2026) must be insured. The accumulated capital can be withdrawn as a lifetime annuity, as a lump sum, or as a combination. Choosing between pension and capital withdrawal is one of the most consequential financial decisions a Swiss retiree makes.
Pillar 3a and its tax treatment
Pillar 3a is Switzerland's tax-privileged private pension savings account. Contributions are fully deductible from taxable income. The capital grows tax-free. Upon withdrawal (permitted from age 60, at retirement, or upon leaving Switzerland, purchasing property, or starting self-employment) the capital is taxed at a preferential reduced rate, separately from other income. Having multiple Pillar 3a accounts allows staggered withdrawals across multiple tax years.
Pillar 3b, and when it is the right tool
Pillar 3b encompasses all non-restricted private savings: standard savings accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policies, and securities portfolios. Unlike Pillar 3a, contributions are not tax-deductible. Pillar 3b assets are fully flexible and not subject to early withdrawal restrictions, making them valuable for pre-retirement liquidity planning.
How the three pillars fit together
Switzerland's pension system rests on three pillars: the state pension (AHV/IV), occupational pension (BVG/Pensionskasse), and private pension savings (Pillar 3a and 3b). Together, the first two pillars are designed to replace approximately 60% of the last insured salary. Private Pillar 3 savings bridge the gap to the desired retirement income level, typically 80% of pre-retirement income according to Swiss planning standards.
Running a fact-find
Use this template
Copy it into your dashboard — the pillar-by-pillar sections and the retirement-goal fields are already structured.
Personalise
Add your firm's branding and any institution-specific pension product questions.
Send ahead of the advisory meeting
Share with the client before the consultation so the advisor arrives fully prepared.
Archive the fact-find
Store the completed fact-find in the client file. Under FinSA, this document forms part of the advice documentation.
Questions clients ask
Can I continue contributing to Pillar 3a after retirement?
Yes, provided you have earned income subject to AHV contributions. Following the AHV21 reform, employed persons who defer AHV retirement can continue contributing to Pillar 3a until age 70.
What happens to my Pensionskasse if I leave Switzerland permanently?
If you leave Switzerland permanently and move to a non-EU/EFTA country, you may withdraw your full PK capital as a lump sum. If you move to an EU/EFTA country, the mandatory portion must remain in a vested benefits account (Freizügigkeitskonto) until normal retirement age.
Should I take my Pensionskasse as a pension or lump sum?
This is a highly individual decision depending on life expectancy, health, marital status, tax situation, and other income sources. Most advisors recommend a hybrid approach: partially converting to annuity and withdrawing the balance as capital.