Retirement planning is always well worth it: for one thing, the pension income you get from state (OASI) and occupational (OPA) pension plans will generally be lower than your previous income. With this in mind, contributions from the first and second pillar make a welcome addition. Pension gaps may also emerge if you work part time, or if you have interrupted your employment, for instance for further training, parental leave or for a round-the-world trip. Paying into a private pension can help you plug these gaps.
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Created on 06.12.2022
Last chance for your pillar 3a: start paying in and save on taxes
Not given your private pension much thought this year, or perhaps none at all? Use the time left to start paying into your pillar 3a in e-finance and save on taxes in the process. Find out in this article whether and indeed how much you can pay into your private pension, plus what deadlines you need to bear in mind so that your transfers and orders under retirement planning 3a can be booked in time by 31 December.
Start paying into pillar 3a by the end of the year and save on taxes
There isn’t much time left to sort out your retirement planning for this year. If you don’t yet have a 3a pension solution, you can take one out by 29 December 2022 to ensure the inpayment is still booked in the current calendar year. If you do already have one, you should seize the opportunity wherever possible to make full use of the annual maximum limit. By doing so, not only are you saving up for more financial peace of mind in retirement, but you can also reduce your tax liability as you can deduct these inpayments from your taxable income. Your payments into pillar 3a essentially pay off twice over.
Please note these deadlines
If you want to make sure your transfers and orders under retirement planning 3a are still booked in time this year, please note the following deadlines:
- Written orders: must be received by 28 December 2022
- Electronic orders in e-finance: must be approved by 29 December 2022, 11.59 p.m.
- Fund orders for retirement savings account 3a (in e-finance): by 29 December 2022, 10.00 a.m.
Under what circumstances can you pay into pillar 3a?
To pay into pillar 3a, you must be at least 18 years old and earn an income subject to OASI.
Retirement planning 3a: These are the maximum amounts for 2022
Payments up to the stipulated maximum can be made on an annual basis. What this means specifically for 2022:
- If you are an employee with an OPA pension fund: You can pay up to CHF 6,883 in 2022
- If you are an employee without a pension fund: You can pay up to 20% of your working income, max. CHF 34,416
There will be new maximum amounts in place from 2023 onwards
From 2023, people with an OPA pension fund will be able to pay CHF 7,056 into pillar 3a. People without an OPA pension fund can pay up to 20% of their working income, but from 2023 onwards, they will be able to pay up to CHF 35,280.
Why can pillar 3a help you save on tax?
You can completely deduct the annual amount you pay into the pillar 3a from your taxable income up to the legally defined maximum allowance – regardless of whether you make payments into a retirement savings account 3a, retirement funds or 3a life insurance.
Tip
Want to calculate how much you would save in taxes by paying into your pillar 3a in just a few steps?
How can you build up your pillar 3a?
PostFinance offers various ways to build up a private pension in pillar 3:
How to open your retirement savings 3a solution
Open your retirement savings 3a solution in e-finance in just a few steps. Make your deposit right away, either as a one-off sum or, ideally, as a “Maximum amount standing order”. This will guarantee the full amount is paid in every year. Next, you can choose between the four PF Pension – ESG retirement funds, or the interest-bearing variant.
Retirement funds
With retirement funds, you can generate higher long-term returns than by leaving your money in a retirement savings account 3a , which currently earns low interest, for many years. Like all investments, retirement funds are also subject to fluctuations.
Retirement savings with a 3a life insurance policy
With life insurance policies in pillars 3a and 3b, you save in a yield-oriented, individual way and with the appropriate risk protection for old age. How to protect yourself and your loved ones financially.
How long can you pay into pillar 3a for?
Generally until you reach ordinary OASI pension age. If you can prove you are still in gainful employment beyond the ordinary retirement age, you can maintain pillar 3a for a maximum of five years and continue paying into it during this time.
Any other questions?
In our overview of year-end processing for private customers, you can find out how you can still book your payment orders and transfers in time for this year.
