Finpension Experience Report Fees Review and Test of Account Opening

Finpension 3a experience: review and test report 2026

The digital pension revolution has reached Switzerland - and Finpension is one of the absolute top providers with 0.39% in fees and 99% in shares on the market.

As one of the first Swiss financial blogs to test Finpension, I can say from many years of practical experience report: The Lucerne-based fintech has one of the leading 3a providers developed. In addition to pillar 3a, Finpension also offers Finpension Invest for free assets and a Vested benefits foundation.

What makes Finpension's offer special and why it is my favourite #1 Recommendation for pillar 3a in this test report!

🏆 finpension 3a - The most important information at a glance
RegulationFINMA-licensed securities firm, Lucerne
Assets under management> CHF 5 billion / > 60,000 customers
Total fees p.a.0.39% (incl. VAT), for 3a and savings accounts
FC freedom of movement0.49% p.a.
Max. Share quota99%
Fund structureInstitutional pension funds instead of ETFs
Minimum investmentCHF 1
Number of 3a accountsUp to 5, allowing for a strategy tailored to each individual
Currency costsMax. 0.05%
Change of strategy✅ Free of charge
SustainabilityESG strategies available
Crypto optionUp to 5%, TER approx. 1,60%
Savings account✅ Yes, SNB key interest rate-linked (since Oct. 2024)
App & Web✅ Both available
Promo codeCHFRZ5 for a fee credit of CHF 25 on amounts of CHF 1,000 or more
Who is it suitable for?Swiss who want to invest favourably and passively for pillar 3a
💡 Schwiizerfranke assessment: finpension is one of the most affordable and flexible 3a providers in Switzerland. 99% equity allocation, up to 5 portfolios, institutional pension funds and very low fees. All 3a providers in comparison →

Table of contents

Finpension 3a strategy explained

The Finpension 3a strategy is simple: Invest broadly in equities and keep fees as low as possible.

How is it done? The 6 index strategies to choose from offer access to a broad selection of index funds. The following are available Funds from Swiss Canto. It is also possible to mix funds when creating a new strategy.

Depending on the risk profile, the Share ratio between 0% and 99%. The liquid part is 1% in cash for each strategy.

If you wish, you can use the automatic Rebalancing switch off. If you want to do this, set the Finpension Rebalancing in the context menu for each desired portfolio individually. Note, however, that your risk may increase. After all, you want to have a good and successful Finpension 3a experience. By default, a rebalancing is done automatically if the deviation from the desired strategy is greater than 1%.

The 0% Stock Strategy contains cash at 100%, which is based on the SNB key interest rate. However, the flat-rate fee of 0.39% also applies here - with a key interest rate of 0%, this currently results in a negative net interest rate.

With the Strategies with 20% to 99% Shares then real estate and, above all, shares are added. The simulated historical return of the last 5 years shows that a high share quota has paid off. Further on in the article, you will also see that Finpension does particularly well in this area compared to its competitors.

Finpension 3a strategies explained fees comparison vs Viac vs Frankly
A historical comparison of the 6 different Finpension 3a strategies.

Table of contents

Finpension coupon code

Want to get a CHF 25 Finpension voucher code? Simply enter the code CHFRZ5 when you open your account (or within 24 hours afterwards in your profile) and deposit at least CHF 1,000 into your Finpension account within 12 months.
* Don't forget the code: CHFRZ5

Plus points in the Finpension Review

3a Finpension Test Report Experience Pension Foundation review

Low-cost investments:

Thanks to the Finpension 3a Pension Foundation, it is possible to invest in investments that are not possible for us as private individuals. These products are extremely inexpensive, which is why Finpension is the 0.39% Flat fee can offer. Finpension Change of strategy are of course free of charge, likewise fall Stamp duties only apply to foreign funds. Furthermore, care is always taken to invest in Swiss franc tranches in order to avoid foreign currency fees. Should a Currency exchange are necessary, are used for this maximum 0.05% (so-called 5 basis points), which is very inexpensive.

Especially positive for individualists: The given strategies can be adapted free of charge. A Counselling is includedYou will not be left alone if you have any concerns or requests for changes. However, the platform is basically set up in such a way that no advice is necessary. Since it provides some assistance to unsure customers, it still has a positive impact on our Finpension 3a experience.

Example of the impact of 3a fees on your return:

Explanation Graphic: An annual lump-sum payment of CHF 7,000 into Pillar 3a, subject to various fees, made at the start of each year, assuming a gross annual return of 7%. Tax savings are also to be taken into account.

The difference becomes apparent, especially in the long term. After 30 years Differences of around CHF 78,000 between a custody account with 0.39% and a custody account with 1.0% fees per year. Even a comparison of 0.39% vs. 0.45% results in a difference of CHF 8,154 over 30 years, which corresponds to more than a full year's payment.

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Broadly secured:

The Finpension strategy is not based on active management, which costs expensive fees. Rather, one relies on passive index fundswhich invest broadly diversified in entire markets and thus in hundreds of companies. This Investment approach is also recommended for the private financial investment. You save fees, hedge your risk broadly and thus beat pretty much all other strategies in the long term. Only, as already mentioned, Finpension as a pension foundation can do this even more cheaply than you could privately.

Anyone who invests passively privately (in ETFs, for example) can also do so in pillar 3a and even still Save taxes.

Who is behind Finpension?

Finpension AG, based in Lucerne, is supervised by FINMA - an important point for Finpension security.

Finpension Voucher Code with Starting Credit Finpension Code Voucher Finpension Referral Code Promotional Code

An advantage that many overlook

When it comes to Pillar 3a, most people only compare the fees. However, it is just as important to, which funds a provider actually uses. Finpension uses a type of fund here that gives you an additional return of around 0.3 to 0.4 per cent per year. For CHF 50,000 invested entirely in this fund, this would amount to around CHF 175 per year. The benefit applies only proportionally to your entire 3a portfolio.

The reason for this is tax on foreign dividends. Anyone holding US shares normally pays US withholding tax on them. Swiss pension funds are exempt from this, but only if the fund consists exclusively of pension assets. As anyone can buy into an exchange-traded fund (ETF), this exemption does not apply. Instead, Finpension uses institutional pension funds from Swisscanto and UBS, which are open only to pension schemes.

The extent to which this has an impact is illustrated by two funds from the same fund management company tracking the same global index:

 Standard index fund
CH0117044906		IPF Provident Fund
CH0117044948
US shares traded viafour US ETFs (totalling around 73%)own provision tranche (around 74%)
5-year annualised return.8.42%8.75%
10-year annualised return.10.67%11.05%

A standard index fund tracks its US exposure via four exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and therefore loses this tax relief. The IPF fund utilises a pension tranche and recovers the withholding tax. Over all time periods ranging from one to ten years, its outperformance stands at around 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points per year.

Two caveats: These are historical figures, not a guarantee. And the return applies to a fund invested solely in foreign shares. Anyone who holds only part of their 3a assets in foreign shares will receive a correspondingly lower return.

Nevertheless, when it comes to fees, the difference between the major providers is often just a few hundredths of a per cent. When it comes to fund structure, however, the difference is many times that. That is why we do not just look at the fees when choosing a provider. We show how Finpension, VIAC, Frankly and the other providers put this into practice in the Pillar 3a comparison.

Our own analysis, as at 23 July 2026, based on publicly available fund data. The official factsheet for the IPF Fund confirms the findings: it outperforms its own net benchmark index by 0.37 to 0.43 percentage points per year over one, three, five and ten years. A small proportion of this comes from securities lending, not from withholding tax. This analysis is licensed under CC BY 4.0; we would appreciate a link when citing it.

Negative Finpension experience?

Finpension fees and costs

Finpension brings know-how and possibilities from other business areas to make their 3a area particularly attractive and inexpensive. The Flat fee from Gross 0.39% is extremely favourable. As with FranklyHowever, this also means higher fees on strategies where there are actually only low or no fees. The advantage is that strategies with fewer shares invested in bondsThe salary is therefore not simply held in cash and thus a return is achieved after all.

However, anyone who has looked at the performance chart above will most likely tend towards higher equity ratios (+ 80%). In this segment, one thing becomes clear for our Finpension 3a experience report: Here Finpension offers a Extremely inexpensive pension solution on!

Finpension Sustainability

At Finpension, the Strategies to be put on a sustainable footing and even the Focus Switzerland or Global is thus possible. Sustainability is not a defined term, by the way. So you should pay attention to the details of the products used if sustainability is particularly important to you. The following products are used Finpension strategies currently the following ESG features:

  1. ✔️ ESG reporting
  2. ✔️ Voting by proxy
  3. ✔️ Commitment
  4. ✔️ ESG Benchmark
  5. ✔️ ESG Reporting
  6. ⭕ Not implemented: ESG integration

How well sustainability is implemented in financial products is not so easy to verify. The criteria used by Finpension Products are subject to the MSCI-ESG rating. Some funds have an excellent AAA rating, others only A to BBB. If you want to know exactly what is going on, you have to dive into the individual factsheets of the strategies. At this point, a summarised version for each strategy would be helpful. 

Finpension coupon code

Want to get a CHF 25 Finpension voucher code? Simply enter the code CHFRZ5 when you open your account (or within 24 hours afterwards in your profile) and deposit at least CHF 1,000 into your Finpension account within 12 months.
* Don't forget the code: CHFRZ5

Finpension vs Viac vs frankly: Fees in comparison

Finpension vs. competition in detail

CriterionFinpensionVIACFranklyBanking solution
Total fees0.39% - 0.42%up to approx. 0.44%0.43%0.80 – 1.50%
Max. Share quota99%99%95%50-70%
Unhedged foreign currency99% possible99% possibleMax. 30%Mostly limited
Number of accounts5551-2
App + Web✅✅✅Mostly web only
Minimum amountCHF 1CHF 1CHF 1CHF 1,000+
SustainabilityESG availableESG availableESG availableRare
Crypto optionYes (5%)Yes (5%)NoNo
WEF advance withdrawalCHF 250CHF 300free of chargevarying

**Sources: Finpension strategies and fees (incl. VAT) / Viac strategies and Frankly Fees. Subject to errors in the Finpension or Viac comparison, please check for updates. 

FZ: Finpension Vested Benefits Foundation

The Finpension Vested Benefits Foundation (FZ) offers an attractive investment opportunity just like the 3a solution. Low Fees of 0.49% per year and a High flexibility at the investment strategy stand out in particular here. The Finpension Vested Benefits Foundation offers a strategy with Extremely high equity exposure and at the same time Very low TERwhich should be very exciting for investors willing to take risks. Here you can find them in the FC comparison with other offers.

By the way, if you have Finpension Vested Benefits Foundation you can also use the Coupon code CHFRZ5 as you will then receive CHF 25 into your Finpension vested benefits account.

Finpension 1e cadre pension scheme

With the Finpension 1 e Management pension plan Employees with an annual income of CHF 136,080 or more (as of 2026) are eligible for a special option. 

High earners can thus be offered a 1e cadre pension with, for example, 80% share quota and inexpensive fees at 0.02% TER.

Risk cover can also be included and, for example, a disability pension can be included.

Finpension Invest: Investment solution for free assets

In May 2024, the Finpension Invest the Finpension investment solution for free assets live. Here are some features:

  • Favourable Fees
  • Savings plans for deposits and even withdrawals
  • Favourable tax treatment Implementation thanks to DA-1 reporting for selected ETFs
  • Access to Private Equity Fund

As Finpension Invest is very comprehensive, you will find a separate Finpension Invest experience report with all the details.

Cryptocurrencies in Pillar 3a? Crypto Market Index Fund

After FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) has issued the first Swiss crypto fund "Crypto Market Index Fund". The pension provider is responsible for the Possibility indirectly in cryptocurrencies to invest. More specifically, the prices of cryptocurrencies are tracked via securities and futures contracts.

Finpension is the first 3a provider in Switzerland to offer the Addition of cryptocurrencies in the 3rd pillar. The TER Fees of the "Crypto Market Index Fund", however, lies with around 1.6% and thus around 20 (yes, twenty) times as expensive as index funds in the equity market. The volatility of the crypto markets should not be overlooked either. The allocation at Finpension is therefore currently set at maximum 5% cryptocurrencies in the 3a portfolio limited.

Finpension Voucher Code with Starting Credit Finpension Code Voucher Finpension Referral Code Promotional Code

Conclusion of the Finpension 3a experience report

Finpension is transparent, uncomplicated and inexpensive. The fees are extremely low and the constant innovations make the provider an absolute TOP provider for pillar 3a and, with Finpension FZ, also for vested benefits. 

Our community also regularly gives Finpension very positive reviews. A stronger focus on sustainability and lower fees with low equity ratios would still be desirable. But especially for young people with a long investment horizon and high equity exposure, Finpension could be your favourite. With high equity ratios Frankly another alternative. A Stock ratio of 99% and a simple operation stands out positively in the Finpension 3a experience report. Our Finpension 3a review is therefore very positive and we can recommend the solution with a clear conscience. Are you as enthusiastic?
Then please use our Finpension coupon code CHFRZ5 for discounted fees!

Do you have more questions about the Finpension valuation or suggestions on the subject of pensions?

Leave us a comment there!

FAQ

Yes, you can open up to 5 separate 3a accounts with Finpension. This enables staggered payouts for tax optimisation.

Incidentally, since October 2024, Finpension has also been offering a pure 3a savings account linked to the SNB base rate.

Swiss franc test: It takes 5-8 minutes to open an account online. The account is usually activated within 1-2 hours after identification.

Yes, free transfer possible. Finpension takes care of the formalities. Duration: 2-4 weeks depending on the bank of origin.

  • UBS for Credit Suisse and UBS funds
  • Zurich Cantonal Bank for Swisscanto funds
  • The foundation is not regulated by FINMA, but by the Central Swiss Supervision of occupational pension schemes and foundations. finpension AG is authorised by FINMA as a securities firm. To find out how your funds are protected in the event of bankruptcy, see «What happens if Finpension goes bankrupt?».

Yes, up to 5% of the 3a portfolio can be invested in the «Crypto Market Index Fund». TER: approx. 1.6% (which makes it rather expensive).

Anyone searching for «finpension avis» is looking for exactly what you’re reading right now: an independent review.

In a nutshell: One of the most affordable established 3a providers, with an equity allocation of up to 99%, up to five accounts for staggered withdrawals, and tax-optimised institutional pension funds within the standard strategies. Less favourable for low equity allocations, as the flat-rate fee also applies to the cash portion. Anyone planning to buy their own home should factor in the WEF early withdrawal of CHF 250; with frankly, this is free of charge.

Your pension assets are held by the finpension 3a Pension Foundation, which is based in Schwyz. The Foundation and finpension AG in Lucerne are legally separate organisations. The AG manages the foundation’s affairs. Should it run into difficulties, the assets remain with the foundation, and the Board of Trustees and the supervisory body would be required to ensure its continued operation.

Important, because this is often misrepresented: Pillar 3a savings are not through the Deposit protection covered by esisuisse. This protects bank accounts, but not pension savings. Depending on the type of investment, two other mechanisms apply in such cases.

Portfolio holdings become set aside. The invested portion is held in funds and other securities. In the event of the custodian bank’s insolvency, these securities are, in principle, not part of the insolvency estate. They are set aside and can be transferred.

Account balance are with priority in insolvency proceedings. Article 37a(5) of the Banking Act applies to the uninvested portion of the pension account. 3a balances are treated as second-class bankruptcy claims up to CHF 100,000 per pension scheme member and bank, i.e. ahead of other creditors. This is not the same as deposit protection: it does not guarantee an immediate payout.

The proportion invested and the proportion held as cash depends on your strategy.

Short: Securities and account balances are protected in different ways. The key factor is that finpension AG, the pension fund and the custodian bank have separate roles.

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"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".

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25 responses

  1. Hello
    Here are my experiences with finpension:

    Top provider! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    After a long comparison, finpension is my clear favourite: up to 99% share quota, super intuitive app and full flexibility without rigid products.

    Reply

  2. Important: With Finpension, you can now also invest jointly (beneficial owners). Something we have been looking for for a long time and is now finally here.

    Reply

  3. In view of the current growing fear of the US market overheating, would you reallocate 3a investments from US to EM, Europe and Switzerland? Or new investments in 3a and in free investing not in the world with a high US share, but rather in other markets?

    Or do you think that a long-term investor can be spared these considerations?

    Reply

    1. I generally think very little of active intervention in the 3a investment strategy, which is hopefully very long-term. It is much more important to set up a clean and solid investment strategy from the outset. For Swiss investors, however, an allocation to Switzerland can definitely make sense. But it always depends on the individual goals and plans. As always: No investment advice.

      Reply

  4. Thank you for the interesting article. As I didn't know the provider, I have questions about Finpension security: Who is behind Finpension?

    Reply

    1. Hello Lore,
      Finpension AG is a Swiss public limited company based in Lucerne, which is supervised by FINMA and even holds a licence as an account-holding securities firm.

      Reply

  5. With Finpension and Viac, can I choose my own strategy for each account and decide which account to save in?
    This is not possible with TrueWealth, where there is a strategy and all accounts are saved equally.

    Reply

  6. Hello Eric
    Finpension sounds very attractive, but in the 3a account comparison TrueWealth scores better in terms of fees (0.15% - 0.25%). However, I'm not sure if this reflects the total fees, is Finpension the cheapest provider overall?

    Reply

    1. Hello Rahel,
      Thank you for your question.
      Fees can vary between providers over time and are only part of the calculation. The performance/investment strategy and tax optimisation (Finpension is very good here, for example) should also be looked at.

      Ultimately, you need to feel comfortable and secure with a provider. Only then will you stick to the investment strategy in the long term and ultimately achieve a good return. It is therefore important to decide which provider is best you personally.

      Reply

  7. Can I also use Finpension as a Swiss abroad (living in Germany) for my 3a and vested benefits remaining in Switzerland? Do the same conditions apply?

    Reply

    1. Hello Marlise,
      As far as I know, Finpension is only possible if you are resident in Switzerland. However, you can ask them again to be on the safe side.

      Reply

  9. The article needs to be updated, finpension fees are 0,39% VAT included now. VIAC is now offering 100 Global at 99% share.

    I believe the code promo is no longer valid, they changed their offering apparently.

    An additional disadvantage might be, their lack of ID control upon opening account, you will have to provide the ID at withdrawal, which is strange.

    Reply

    1. Hi Liz
      actually the article is updated since a few days. 0.39% should be written everywhere. Isnt it?
      The code is still valid and should work. Otherwise please let me know.

      Regarding Viac 100: When you take a look into the latest factsheet there is still 97% stocks. So far, they are not increasing the rate.
      Many thanks for your closer look

      Reply

  10. I was a bit surprised that Finpension did not require identification when opening an account. Does anyone have an explanation why? I actually thought everything was very good, but that took away my confidence 😅.

    Reply

    1. Unlike banks, pension foundations are not obliged to carry out an identity check. Would you still like us to check your personal details on the basis of an identity document? Then a digital ID check is now available to you. To do this, open your profile in the top right-hand corner in the app (after registration). There you will find the menu item "ID check (optional)".

      Reply

  12. Hello,
    thank you for the clear and very helpful experience report.
    I am now also with Finpension with my Vorsorge 3a.

    Greetings, Pascal

    Reply

    1. Hello, Manuel,
      You would have to look in detail at which strategies you have chosen and which securities are then bought. The stock markets always fluctuate in the short term, there will be price losses with every provider. The emphasis is on Courselosses. You should look at your 3a in the long term and here a comparison after 10, 20 or even better 30 years would be exciting.

      But you will certainly find out the background when you look at the securities in detail. There will be differences here. Which security will perform best in the long run remains to be seen.
      I think it's great that you're testing different providers. If you decide to use Pro Viac, for example, you can open up to five 3a accounts there.

      Love 🙂

      Reply
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