Maximise your tax efficiency today while securing your financial independence for tomorrow.
Switzerland’s retirement system is structured around three distinct pillars.
For expatriates and high-earning executives, mastering the interplay between Pillar 2 (occupational) and Pillar 3 (private) is essential for reducing your immediate tax burden and ensuring efficient capital growth.
However, international workers face unique challenges: consolidating foreign pensions (like UK SIPPs or US 401(k)s), dealing with cross-border tax treaties, and managing vested benefits when leaving the country.
Mandatory for most employees, but offers a powerful “buy-in” mechanism. Voluntary contributions can drastically lower your taxable income in the year they are made.
A voluntary, tax-advantaged private savings plan. Contributions are deductible from taxable income up to a yearly limit, and the capital grows tax-free.
Foreign Pensions (QROPS, 401k, IRAs): When you become a Swiss resident, how your foreign pensions are treated changes immediately.
We help you navigate the transfer and restructuring of UK pensions via QROPS and manage the strict reporting requirements of US retirement accounts.
Leaving Switzerland: If you leave Switzerland, your Pillar 2 assets become “vested benefits”.
The tax you pay upon withdrawing them depends entirely on the canton where the foundation is based, not where you lived.
We proactively transfer your assets to foundations in low-tax cantons (like Schwyz) before withdrawal to legally minimise your exit tax.
Discover how much tax you could save this year through strategic Pillar buy-ins, or discuss how to handle your international pension transfers.
If you move outside the EU/EFTA, you can generally withdraw your full Pillar 2 and 3a. If you move to an EU/EFTA country, the mandatory portion of your Pillar 2 must remain blocked in Switzerland, but the rest can be withdrawn.
Withdrawals are subject to withholding tax based on the location of the pension foundation. By transferring your funds to a vested benefits account in a low-tax canton (e.g., Schwyz) before leaving, you can minimise this tax.
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