Suddenly it’s here – the last day of work. From then on, your financial opportunities are determined by pension planning. Begin no later than age 50. This will allow you to maintain your standard of living in future and enjoy financial security.

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    One out of three Swiss has a gap in coverage

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    An AHV pension for a married couple is capped at CHF 3585 per month

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    46% of Swiss would like to put aside a nest egg for their old age

Questions related to retirement

With early retirement, you stop working earlier, which allows you to enjoy your retirement. However, doing so means you will forgo income from salary. This creates a financial gap that you can cover with an early withdrawal from your retirement savings, which in turn means that the money you’ve withdrawn early will not be available when you draw your regular pension.

Risks:

  • Less income: as you have already used some of the funds from your pension, the income you draw from your pension later on will decline. 
  • Insufficient risk protection: in the event of death or disability as a result of an accident or illness, the financial protection for you and your family may no longer be enough.
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The five key questions:

Ask yourself the following five questions. This will help you determine how large the financial gap will be and whether early retirement is a good option for you.

  • Is early retirement allowed according to your pension fund regulations?
  • What is your income from the first and second pillars and, if applicable, from the third pillar?
  • What will your expenses be after retirement?
  • What wishes do you want to fulfil after retirement?
  • How high is your gap in cover in the event of disability and death?

Close the pension gap early on:

You can plan your early retirement with the answers to these questions: you now know how much money you may have available and how big the pension gap will be if you retire early. If possible, you can save money to close the gap. Alternatively, you can also use assets in the second and third pillars. 

Depending on your pension fund’s regulations, there are three options for drawing your assets: as a monthly pension, as a lump-sum payment or as a combination of the two. It is important to take time to make this decision – because once you’ve made it, you cannot undo it. Your choice of payment option depends on your individual situation and your priorities.

Make the right decision:

The following questions will help you determine the withdrawal option that is best for you.

  • How high will your income be during retirement?
  • Do you want regular and secure income for the rest of your life? Or do you want to manage your capital yourself and possibly invest it?
  • Do you have sufficient knowledge to be able to invest large amounts of capital securely and profitably?
  • Will you – or possibly your partner – still be able to take care of your investments when you are 80 years old?
  • How would the various solutions affect your tax situation?
  • How will your family be protected in the event something happens to you?

 

Pensions (monthly)

Lump-sum withdrawal (one-off)

Advantages

  • Regular benefits for the rest of your life
  • Security
  • Surviving dependants' benefit
  • Flexibility
  • Investment opportunities with prospect of higher return
  • For example, the option to amortise mortgages

Disadvantages

  • If you die, your dependants don't receive the retirement capital
  • No possibility of profiting from higher earnings
  • No flexibility to make spontaneous, larger expenditures
  • You must manage the capital yourself for the rest of your life
  • Financial security is not ensured (no guarantees)
  • Risk of making the wrong investment
  • If market returns decline, your retirement capital will fall quickly and your standard of living will be affected

Taxes

  • Annual income tax based on pension income
  • One-off capital gains tax separate from other income due the year of the payout

Combination of pension and lump-sum payment:

Irrespective of the advantages and disadvantages, the rule of thumb is: you must meet your basic financial needs using the benefits from the first and second pillars for the rest of your life. You can draw anything in excess of this amount as capital and invest it yourself if you wish. The combined form – i.e. drawing the majority of the retirement assets as a pension and a small portion as a lump sum – is a good solution.

Whether you want to buy, renovate or sell it, we view your home as the centre of your pension provision. That’s why we make a connection between it and your other interests, e.g. to your asset formation or tax optimisation. We will work together with you to find the optimal solutions. 

The Swiss population is ageing. As life expectancy grows, so too does the probability of needing care in old age. This, in turn, will affect your potential expenses following your retirement.

Care costs can deplete your assets

If you require care in old age as a result of an illness or an accident, your basic insurance will cover the costs for care – but you will have to pay for food and lodging (a room in a facility) or for domestic help yourself. The additional monthly costs can quickly add up to thousands of francs. This creates the risk that your savings will be sharply reduced or even used up entirely, which can have a dramatic impact on your standard of living.

You can make legal security arrangements to ensure that your wishes are respected even after your death or if you become incapacitated. Beyond that, you can define to whom your estate should be bequeathed. Should you need help in fiduciary matters for age or health-related reasons we will be glad to be of assistance.

There’s no such thing as “too early” when it comes to retirement planning. Use an in-depth assessment of your current situation as the basis for your decision and a self-determined, worry-free future.

AHV 21 reform

You can find out here what the reform actually means and what impact it has on the Swiss pension system.

Increase your financial flexibility

Additional income for when you are older

Invest your money astutely and ensure yourself guaranteed, regular payouts – with a payout plan over a defined period, with lifelong annuity insurance.

Invest money profitably

Do more with your savings – with the right combination of security and returns!

Optimise taxes

Use the opportunities of private and occupational provision to save on taxes with self-determination.

Estate planning

There are different options for your estate. But what are intestate succession, wills and gifts?

Plan your retirement finances

Budget calculator

Are you looking for a way to plan your family budget optimally? With the Swiss Life budget calculator, you can gain an overview of your income and outgoings and simultaneously calculate your savings potential.

Pension Check

Find out today about your financial situation after retirement with your personal pension check.

Make an appointment for a consultation

There are a number of pension options, which can be individually tailored to your needs. The earlier you address the issue of occupational benefits, the greater your financial flexibility for a self-determined life. Our advisers offer you professional support with all questions concerning the topic of employee benefits. We would also be happy to advise you by video instead of in the General Agency or at your home.

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