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Maximum amount for pillar 3a in 2026: How to make the most of your pension provision

The Maximum contribution limit for Pillar 3a in 2026 applies to employees with a pension fund CHF 7,258. Without a pension fund, this amounts to up to CHF 36,288. Pension provision is a major issue, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In this article, you’ll find the best tips on how to get the most out of your 3rd pillar.

Pillar 3a maximum contribution for 2026: Key facts at a glance
With a pension fundCHF 7,258 per year
Without a pension schemeCHF 36,288 per year, up to 20% of net income
New from 2027CHF 7,373 including pension fund, CHF 36,864 excluding
PrerequisiteEarned income subject to AHV contributions
TaxesThe amount paid in is deductible from taxable income
DeadlineThe money must be credited to the provider’s account by the end of December
Back paymentsAny gaps from 2025 onwards can be filled in retrospectively. How shopping works
Schwiizerfranke assessment: You don’t have to contribute the maximum amount. Every franc you pay in reduces your tax bill. More important than contributing the full amount is that you start early and choose a provider with low fees. Go to the Pillar 3a comparison →

Table of contents

Pillar 3a maximum contribution for 2027: What’s changing

The Federal Council has increased the contribution limits with effect from 1 January 2027. The maximum contribution limit for Pillar 3a in 2027 is as follows:

  • For insured persons including pension fund: CHF 7,373, which is CHF 115 more than before
  • Excluding pension fund: CHF 36,864 (a maximum of 20% of net income), which is CHF 576 more than before

For the current year, the figures remain at CHF 7,258 with a pension scheme and CHF 36,288 without one.

Pillar 3a tips

Maximum amount pillar 3a 2021 Recommendation third pillar 3a

1st pillar 3a Maximum contribution paid in and paid in arrears

Pillar 3a: pay in the maximum amount! If you can afford it, pay the maximum amount into your 3rd pillar. This will maximise your tax savings and your expected pension. Remember: For every CHF 1,000 of capital invested, you will receive around CHF 200 - 400 back!

Carefree precaution? Our free eBook will help you!

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2. 3a Securities instead of interest account

The days of fat interest rates are over! These days, you hardly earn any interest on a 3a savings account. If you’re under 55, you really ought to think carefully about why you don’t want to invest in securities!

After all, if you still have a few years until retirement, you can ride out fluctuations in your 3a account. You'll soon be investing in a Home? You don’t always have to withdraw your 3rd pillar savings; in some cases, you can simply pledge them as collateral. This means that holding securities in a 3a account is no problem.

The best pillar 3a recommendations for you

The best pillar 3a offer suits you. Depending on your risk tolerance, personal investment horizon and other factors, you should either opt for a 3a account, a 3a custody account or even for a 3a policy decide.

A pillar 3a with securities is almost always recommended for young people. In the large 3a comparison you will find the best offers.

3. multiple 3a accounts

You have probably heard about the staggered withdrawal of 3a accounts. It makes sense to open several 3a accounts in order to be able to withdraw them later in stages. Because if a 3a account is closed, it is always closed completely. In order not to burden your taxes unnecessarily later on, you draw them in staggered amounts. How you can make the best staggered withdrawal, you will learn in this post via the staggered reference.

As a rule of thumb, you can remember to open another 3a account after CHF 50,000 at the latest.

So there's nothing wrong with, say. Frankly and a Selma Account at the same time save. Just make sure that you do not exceed the maximum Pillar 3a amount and ideally use it to the full.

4. staggered withdrawal: withdraw pillar 3a on a staggered basis

Depending on the canton, the tax burden varies, but as a rule you can get by with a staggered reference save significantly on taxes. Seek advice or find out what makes sense in your case. If you can afford it, we also strongly recommend tip #5:

5. 3a account savings beyond retirement age

Sounds strange, but it's not! It's up to you when you want to withdraw your 3a account. This is because many providers allow you to transfer your securities to your private securities account when you retire. This allows you to let the money work for you for longer and, in the event of a stock market correction, simply wait for a better time. In this Contribution to interest Interest we have already explained this "8th wonder of the world". If you invest in securities in your 3a account, you can take advantage of the interest rate. Initially, the effect is small, but once you have seen the contribution, you will know what happens to your assets after a longer period of time.

If you bear this in mind, you will understand why a delayed 3a withdrawal makes sense. A few more years of investment will result in many thousands of francs more for you! Want an example?

CHF 6,500 per year, invested at 5% yield, after 30 years = CHF 453,445

CHF 6,500 per year, invested at 5% yield, after 33 years = CHF 546,435

Our financial tips for 2026

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Conclusion on the 3rd pillar 2026 Maximum amount

The Pillar 3a maximum amount in 2026 offers you a wonderful opportunity to intelligently maximise your pension provision.

With a 3a contribution of CHF 7,258 for employees in 2026, you’ll be laying the foundations for a solid pension provision.

Our 3a Tips show you how you can get more out of your pension by depositing the maximum amount and choosing securities instead of a traditional interest-bearing account. Opening an account several 3a accounts and the strategic planning of the reference date enable you to effectively reduce your tax burden.

Remember: planning for the future is not rocket science; with the right decisions, it is quite simple to manage. Start now and take advantage of the maximum amount for pillar 3a in 2026!

Do you have questions on the subject of pension provision?

Leave us a comment there!

11 responses

  1. Hello, Eric,
    A question on the subject of saving in a 3a account beyond retirement age: i.e. if you continue to receive a salary subject to AHV contributions beyond the statutory retirement age, can you continue to save in a tax-privileged 3a account?

    Reply

  2. Hello, Eric,
    What about the maximum amount if you have several accounts? Can the maximum amount of CHF 7,056 be utilised for each account or spread over e.g. 4 accounts, i.e. approx. CHF 1750 per account per year?

    Reply

    1. Hello Dean,
      No, this (unfortunately) applies per person. With all 3a accounts, you can therefore pay in a maximum of CHF 7,258 per year (2025).

      Reply

  3. Hello Eric
    Thank you for the interesting article. I'm just starting out and would like to split my pillar 3a into several accounts. I still have a long investment horizon (I'm 29 years old), but I might want to buy my own home in the next few years. I am therefore unsure whether I should invest the entire pillar 3a. You write in this article about the possibility of a garnishment, do all banks accept this? Does this mean I can invest the entire 3a assets at risk? Or is it better to take less risk (equity component) with the account for a home? Thank you very much for your feedback.

    Reply

  4. I am married (with children) and currently the sole earner. This means that I can only pay the maximum contribution "once". I have read that from an annual salary of (only) CHF 2300 my wife should also pay in (as she is liable for AHV from this salary). Is that correct? And would my wife therefore have to find a job for at least CHF 2300 a year and we would both be allowed to pay the maximum contribution and deduct it from our taxes? I can't find any clear information on this. Thank you very much.

    Reply

    1. Correct, you can only pay in if you have an income that is subject to AHV contributions; this also applies to married persons.

      Reply

  6. I am a satisfied customer of Descartes Vorsorge, which invests sustainably at 100%. I am all the more surprised that you do not mention this provider alongside Frankly and Selma. In contrast to the two providers mentioned, Descartes Vorsorge is the only independent digital provider in the pension sector. Moreover, Descartes Vorsorge offers not only sustainable pillar 3a solutions, but also vested benefits solutions.

    Reply

    1. Hello Elena
      There are many (many) pension providers in Switzerland, and they will gradually find their place here. Schwiizerfranke should not only be a review platform, but also provide financial education and deal with other topics than just products.
      FYI to you: By the way, Descartes is not the only independent digital provider in the pension sector. We recently reviewed Finpension, for example, which is also completely independent and also offers vested benefits solutions.

      Greetings!

      Reply
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