RETHINKING RETIREMENT
| RETIREMENT PLANNING IN CHANGE |
Retirement planning is a hotly debated topic that will affect us all sooner or later. It is becoming increasingly important to consider your options early on, as government benefits are no longer sufficient to maintain your accustomed standard of living in old age.
As a Swiss company with German roots, we are more than aware of the significant differences in retirement provision between the two countries. That is why we have brought experienced experts into our team so that you can benefit from a tailor-made concept that is perfectly suited to your needs.
Simply click on the relevant country to go directly to the information that is relevant to you.
RETIREMENT PLANNING SWITZERLAND
RETIREMENT PLANNING GERMANY
PENSION OPTIONS IN SWITZERLAND
AHV, pension fund, pillars 3a and 3b...lots of terms, lots of rules. We help you understand the Swiss pension system and use it to your advantage. We analyze your current situation, show you untapped potential, and make concrete suggestions on how to tailor your pension plan to suit your life. Simply explained, clearly structured, and easy for you to implement.
Feel free to take a look and get back to us if you need to! You can reach us at any time at info@via-bonum.com.
PILLAR 1
STATE PENSION
AHV (Old Age and Survivors' Insurance)
IV (disability insurance)
supplementary benefits
livelihood security
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Securing one’s livelihood in old age, in the event of disability or death
GOAL
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Old-age pension (max. approx. CHF 2,520/month, as of 2025)
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Disability pension
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Survivor's pension
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Death benefits
SERVICES
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Early withdrawal up to 2 years before retirement age
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Deferment of up to 5 years -> up to 31.5% higher pension
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AHV splitting in the event of divorce (income from the years of marriage is split in half)
DESIGN OPTIONS
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Contribution gaps reduce pensions by approximately 2.3% per missing year
IMPACT OF GAPS
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Mandatory for all employed persons
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Contribution years: 44 (men), 43 (women) for full pension
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Start of contribution obligation: from 17 (employed) / from 20 (unemployed)
CONTRIBUTION OBLIGATION
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No capital payout possible -> always annuity
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Contribution gaps reduce pension entitlement
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
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Pay-as-you-go system: current contributors finance current pensioners
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Redistribution between generations, genders and income groups
SYSTEM FEATURES
PILLAR 2
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PROVISION
pension fund (BVG – occupational pension scheme)
Supplementary Provision
maintain standard of living
GOAL
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Supplement to AHV – maintaining the standard of living
SERVICES
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Old-age, disability, survivors' pensions, death benefit
CONTROL AND OPTIMIZATION OPTIONS
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Purchase possible in case of contribution gaps
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Tiered purchasing breaks tax progression
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Partial retirement for tax and pension optimization
TECHNICAL
ASPECTS
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Minimum interest rate 2025: 1.25%
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Conversion rate in the mandatory pension scheme: 6.8% (decreasing)
CONTRIBUTION OBLIGATION
From CHF 22,050 annual salary as an employee
Self-employed voluntarily
CAPITAL AND ANNUITY OPTIONS
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Legally at least 25% capital withdrawal possible
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Mixed form of capital + pension often optimal from a tax and strategic perspective
SPECIAL-
USE
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Advance withdrawal for home ownership: min. CHF 20,000, possible every 5 years
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Payment in the case of self-employment, emigration, marginal employment
INHERITANCE REGULATIONS
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Benefits not inheritable
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Widows' and orphans' pensions (children up to 25 years old)
PILLAR 3
PRIVATE PENSION PROVISION
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Pillar 3a (restricted pension provision)
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Pillar 3b (unrestricted pension provision)
additional requirement
Since tied pension plans differ significantly from unrestricted pension plans, the key aspects are explained in two sections, starting with tied pension plans.
PILLAR 3A: TIE-UP PENSION PLAN
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Individual supplement to preventive care
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tax-privileged, but bound by legal rules
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Payment only in the event of legally defined events (old age, home ownership, self-employment, emigration)
GOAL
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Tax deduction on deposit
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Clear retirement planning
ADVANTAGES
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Capital withdrawal subject to tax (separate pension plan)
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Pension can be planned, but not freely inherited
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Mixed forms possible
CAPITAL VS. PENSION
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Beneficiaries in the event of death are regulated by law (spouse, registered partners, persons in need of support)
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Unmarried partners must be actively registered as beneficiaries, otherwise no entitlement
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Capital not freely inheritable
PROTECTION OF PARTNERS & INHERITANCE
Banking or insurance products, investment in approved funds possible
Tax-privileged, annual maximum amounts (2025: CHF 7,258 with pension fund / CHF 36,288 without pension fund)
No direct investment in physical assets
PRODUCTS
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Early payment only in the case of legally defined events: acquisition of home ownership, self-employment, emigration, disability
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Capital otherwise blocked until retirement age
USE IN LIFE
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Deposits reduce taxable income
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Stagger payout to reduce progression
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Note cantonal differences in residence
TAX TIPS
PILLAR 3B: VOLUNTARY PENSION PLANS
GOAL
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Unrestricted, individually tailored pension provision.
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Freely inheritable, available at any time, no legal restrictions on use.
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Enables broad investment diversification including physical assets for inflation and crisis protection.
ADVANTAGES
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Maximum flexibility
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No investment regulations
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Fully inheritable
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Real asset investments as protection against inflation and currency risks
CAPITAL VS. PENSION
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Capital can be used flexibly, with attractive tax treatment for certain investments (e.g. profit on physical gold)
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Pension models can be freely designed
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Combination of capital and pension possible at any time
PROTECTION OF PARTNERS & INHERITANCE
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Capital can be freely inherited by any person, without legal restrictions.
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Individual estate planning possible (will, inheritance contract)
PRODUCTS
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Physical assets such as precious metals, technical metals, gemstones, rare earths, art, crypto
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Funds, stocks, real estate...
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No deposit limits, complete investment freedom
USE IN LIFE
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Access to capital possible at any time, including for new investments or consumption
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High flexibility in adapting to life changes
TAX TIPS
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No automatic tax incentives, but tax-free profits possible
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Payment staggering can reduce tax burden
OVERVIEW OF THE THREE PILLARS
OF SWITZERLAND
STATE
PREVENTION
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION PLAN
PRIVATE
PREVENTION
AHV (Old Age and Survivors' Insurance)
IV (disability insurance)
supplementary benefits
livelihood security
pension fund (BVG – occupational pension scheme)
Supplementary Provision
maintain standard of living
Pillar 3a (tied pension provision)
Pillar 3b (free pension provision)
additional needs
The three pillars of Swiss retirement provision offer many opportunities, but also require forward planning. Making the right decisions will give you financial freedom in your old age. Via bonum is here to support you with experienced experts and tailored solutions.
PENSION OPTIONS IN GERMANY
The German pension system is complex. We make it understandable. Together, we examine your situation, explain the connections between statutory pensions, occupational pension schemes, and private solutions, and show you where there are gaps or opportunities. We provide you with a clear plan that you can implement directly with us: transparent, practical, and tailored to your needs.
Feel free to take a look and get back to us if you need to! You can reach us at any time at info@via-bonum.com.
LAYER 1
COMPANY PENSION SCHEME
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Direct insurance
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Pension fund
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Pension fund
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Support fund
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Direct commitment
Supplementary function
GOAL
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Supplement to the statutory pension to secure the standard of living
PARTICIPATION
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Employer-financed or deferred compensation (tax- and social security contribution-free)
DISADVANTAGES
Limited heritability
Dependence on the employer
Takeaway
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Transfer possible when changing employers (portability)
FORMS
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Direct insurance
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Pension fund
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Pension fund
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Support fund
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Direct commitment
ADVANTAGES
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Tax incentives
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Partial payment or annuity payment
PAYOUT
Pension or capital
Pension adjustment in the event of divorce
Choice of capital depending on the implementation method
LAYER 2
PUBLIC LAW OBLIGATION SYSTEMS
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Statutory pension insurance
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Civil service pension scheme
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Old-age provision for farmers
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Professional pension scheme
Rule enforcement function
GOAL
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Securing livelihoods in old age, in the event of reduced earning capacity or death
SERVICES
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Old-age pension
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Disability pension
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Survivor's pension
SPECIAL FEATURES
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Annual pension information
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Pension information upon request
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Minimum insurance period (waiting period)
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Retroactive payments possible,
e.g., for raising children or stays abroad
CONTRIBUTION OBLIGATION
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Obligatory for all employees subject to social insurance contributions
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Contribution amount depends on income
PENSION FORMULA
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Remuneration points × access factor × pension value × pension type factor
GAPS
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Career breaks (childcare, illness) affect pension entitlement
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Retroactive payments possible under certain conditions
LAYER 3
PRIVATE PENSION PROVISION
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“Riester” contracts
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Basic pension contracts
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Private pension insurance
Supplementary function
Since subsidized pension plans such as Riester and basic pensions (Rürup) differ significantly from private pension plans, the key aspects are explained in two sections, starting with subsidized pension plans.
SUBSIDIZED PENSION PLANS
GOAL
-
supplements statutory and occupational pensions
ADVANTAGES
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Tax incentives (special expense deduction)
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Government subsidies for Riester
RISKS
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Long-term commitment (Rürup cannot be terminated, Riester only with loss of subsidies)
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Limited inheritable – Rürup only with agreed survivor's pension, Riester only if the heir is eligible for subsidies
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No real asset investments possible -> inflation risk
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Dependence on changes in government regulations
TAX OPTIMIZATION
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Tax incentives during the accumulation phase
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Tax liability during the payout phase (deferred taxation)
FORMS
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Riester pension – for persons subject to social insurance contributions, with state subsidies
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Rürup pension (basic pension) – primarily for self-employed persons, with tax deduction options
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Restrictions: No termination for Rürup, Riester only with repayment of subsidies; no genuine real asset investments possible
PLANNING
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Start early
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Set clear goals (capital, real estate, inheritance, supplementary pension)
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Review and adjust contracts regularly
RETIREMENT PHASE
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Capital payout often only possible to a limited extent (Rürup: mainly pension payments; Riester: max. 30% capital, remainder pension)
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In the event of death without a suitable survivor's provision, the capital is forfeited
PRIVATE PENSION PLANS
GOAL
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supplements statutory and occupational pensions
ADVANTAGES
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Maximum flexibility in terms of duration, payout, and investment structure
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Freely inheritable
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Tangible assets offer protection against inflation, independence from the financial system, and, in the case of gold, for example, tax-free profits after a one-year holding period in accordance with Section 23 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG)
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Can be terminated at any time
RISKS
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Value fluctuations in capital investments
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No automatic tax incentives
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For physical assets: storage costs, insurance
TAX OPTIMIZATION
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Tax-free profits possible, e.g. for physical gold after a holding period of 1 year §23 EStG
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Staggered payments to reduce tax progression
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Use of allowances and age relief amounts
FORMS
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Physical assets such as precious metals, technical metals, gemstones, rare earths, art, crypto
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funds, ETFs, etc.
PLANNING
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Early start
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Set goals (real estate, capital, inheritance, supplementary pension)
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Review and adjust contracts regularly
RETIREMENT PHASE
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Free choice between lump sum, annuity, or hybrid form
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Full inheritance of the remaining capital
OVERVIEW OF THE THREE LAYERS
IN GERMANY
COMPANY PENSION PLAN
PUBLIC LAW MANDATORY SYSTEMS
PRIVATE PROVISION
direct insurance
pension fund
pension funds
support fund
direct commitment
supplementary function
statutory pension insurance
civil service pension scheme
pension provision for farmers
professional pension scheme
control security function
"Riester" contracts
basic pension contracts
private pension insurance
supplementary function
The three pillars of German retirement provision offer many opportunities, but also require forward planning. Making the right decisions will give you financial freedom in your old age. Via bonum is here to support you with experienced experts and tailored solutions.