Question 1

How much taxes do I save with Pillar 3a?

Accepted Answer

The tax savings with Pillar 3a depend on income, canton of residence and marital status. They can range from a few hundred to several thousand francs per year and add up accordingly over the years. Calculate your personal savings with the tax calculator.

Question 2

How does the Compando Pillar 3a Tax Calculator work?

Accepted Answer

The Compando Pillar 3a Tax Calculator takes into account income, canton of residence, marital status and contribution amount. From this it determines your possible tax savings based on the applicable tax burden of the federal government, canton and municipality as well as the church tax.

Question 3

How can I deduct Pillar 3a from my taxes?

Accepted Answer

Contributions to Pillar 3a are fully deductible from taxable income up to the maximum amount . You enter the amount in the main form of the tax return under «Deductions / Pillar 3a»; the mandatory attachment is the tax certificate of your 3a foundation, which you receive once a year. With multiple 3a accounts, all contributions count cumulatively.

Question 4

How much may I contribute to Pillar 3a and deduct for tax purposes?

Accepted Answer

Employees with an occupational pension fund can contribute up to the statutory maximum amount , self-employed without an occupational pension fund up to 20 percent of net income, at most the statutory maximum. Exactly this contributed amount can be deducted from taxes; you can see the current amounts and your tax savings directly in the tax calculator.

Question 5

Can I make up Pillar 3a contributions for past years?

Accepted Answer

Since 2025, retroactive contributions to Pillar 3a have been possible. Anyone who contributed less than the maximum amount in a year from 2025 can make up the missing contributions within ten years and additionally deduct them from taxable income. The requirement is an OASI-liable earned income in the relevant year; gaps from years before 2025 cannot be made up.

Question 6

Until when do I have to contribute to Pillar 3a?

Accepted Answer

Contributions must arrive at the pension foundation by 31 December of the tax year. 28 December is considered a safe date to avoid booking delays.

Question 7

What is the marginal tax rate?

Accepted Answer

The marginal tax rate is the percentage tax rate on the last franc of income. With higher income, the marginal tax rate is higher and Pillar 3a savings are greater. The average tax rate on total income is lower than the marginal tax rate.

Question 8

In which cantons are tax savings highest?

Accepted Answer

For the same income, the tax savings are greater in cantons with a higher tax burden, such as Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Valais and Jura. In cantons with lower taxes such as Zug, Schwyz, Nidwalden and Obwalden, smaller amounts result because the marginal tax rate is lower there.

Question 9

How does marital status affect tax savings?

Accepted Answer

Married couples and registered partnerships are assessed jointly. Both partners can contribute separately to Pillar 3a and each deduct the full maximum amount. With cohabitation, only the individual's own income counts.

Question 10

Is Pillar 3a also worthwhile with low income?

Accepted Answer

With low income, the marginal tax rate is low and the direct tax savings correspondingly small. However, asset building remains attractive, because even small contributions grow over the investment period thanks to the compound interest effect.

Question 11

How do tax-at-source individuals deduct Pillar 3a from their taxes?

Accepted Answer

Tax-at-source individuals can claim contributions for tax purposes via a subsequent ordinary tax assessment. You submit the application to the canton of residence by 31 March of the following year. Whether a subsequent ordinary tax assessment is possible or required depends on the statutory requirements of the canton of residence and your personal situation.

Question 12

Does Pillar 3a also reduce wealth tax?

Accepted Answer

Yes, indirectly. Contributions lower taxable income and thus income tax. In addition, the 3a balance does not count towards taxable assets until withdrawal, unlike money in a normal savings account. This keeps the restricted capital exempt from wealth tax for the entire term.

Question 13

What happens to the tax savings at withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Upon withdrawal, the 3a balance is taxed separately from the rest of your income, at a reduced rate. With multiple accounts and a staggered withdrawal , the progression of the capital benefit tax can be reduced further.

Question 14

How many 3a accounts reduce taxes at withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

With multiple 3a accounts , the withdrawal can be staggered over several tax years and the progression of the capital benefit tax broken. In practice, three to five accounts are usually sufficient; the decisive factors are your expected final balance and your tax situation. Anyone who spreads out the withdrawal reduces the tax burden at withdrawal.

Question 15

How is Pillar 3a taxed when emigrating?

Accepted Answer

When leaving Switzerland permanently, you may withdraw your entire 3a balance early. A capital benefit tax applies to the withdrawal; if you already live abroad at the time of withdrawal, it is levied by the canton where your pension foundation is based as withholding tax, which a double taxation agreement can partly reduce. The blocking of the mandatory portion only affects the occupational pension fund, not Pillar 3a when emigrating.

Pillar 3a Tax Calculator

Calculate precisely

Save taxes

Persönlich begleitet

How much taxes can I save?

Your personal tax savings

The Compando Pillar 3a Tax Calculator: how it works

The essentials on saving taxes

Save taxes with Pillar 3a

Retroactive contribution

Withdrawing Pillar 3a

Maximum amount 2026

Multiple 3a accounts

Get more out of your 3a?

Further calculators & tools around Pillar 3a

Pillar 3a Assets Calculator

Compound Interest Calculator

Pillar 3a Provider Comparison

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