Pillar 3a contributions

As long as you continue to earn an income subject to AHV contributions, you can still pay into pillar 3a after reaching normal AHV retirement age. Withdrawal of pillar 3a funds can also be deferred up to the age of 69 for women or 70 for men.

Special case: deposits in the same year you retire

If you continue to pay into the pension fund until you retire (e.g., until the end of April), you can pay the entire “small” amount into pillar 3a during this period. From May, you will still be employed but will no longer be paying pension fund contributions. From May to December, you may deposit an additional 20% of your net income into pillar 3a. However, you may not exceed the maximum amount that can be paid into pillar 3a.

Can a part-time employee (e.g., 50%) who is obligated to make AHV contributions but is not a member of a pension fund still pay into pillar 3a?

Yes, a part-time employee without BVG can also pay into pillar 3a up to a maximum of 20% of their (net) earned income, but no more than CHF 35,280 (from 2023).

How much can part-time employees pay into the Fisca retirement savings account?

If they are a member of a pension fund, employees can contribute up to the applicable statutory maximum amount for employed persons with BVG.

If they are not a member of a pension fund, the relevant statutory amount is the same as that for self-employed persons, i.e., up to 20% of their (net) earned income, but no more than the statutory amount for persons without BVG.

What is the maximum you can contribute when your BVG status changes?
 
For self-employed workers, the amount may not exceed 20% of their annual salary from self-employment or the maximum amount allowed for persons without BVG. It does not matter whether the beneficiary takes up self-employment at the start of or during the course of the year.

If the switch to becoming an employee, the maximum allowable for persons with BVG may not be exceeded. In total, your contribution may not exceed the maximum allowable for persons without BVG.

Can beneficiaries pay contributions into pillar 3a if they are receiving unemployment benefits?

Yes, because unemployment compensation counts as a substitute for earned income.

The maximum amount may be deducted in the year that entitlement to unemployment benefit expires, even if this benefit has only been received for a few months (see Art. 7 para. 4 BVV 3).

However, the annual unemployment benefit must be at least as much as the maximum amount for pillar 3a with BVG. You are not allowed to deduct contributions for amounts higher than the unemployment benefit itself. Furthermore, you must pay the maximum into your Fisca retirement savings account before your entitlement to unemployment benefit expires.

As soon as your entitlement to unemployment benefit expires, your right to pay further contributions into pillar 3a does too, as you no longer have any income subject to AHV. Persons who are no longer entitled to receive benefits cannot make further contributions into pillar 3a unless they take up some form of employment (whether self-employment or employment). A person who is about to lose their entitlement to unemployment benefits, and who takes up self-employment in the same year, can deduct contributions to the Fisca retirement savings account in the amount of up to 20% of their self-employed income, or the maximum amount for beneficiaries without BVG if they are not affiliated to a pension fund.