Menu
Skip to content 
The best 3a providers in the test
Surely you are aware of the Pillar 3a as very popular provision known in Switzerland. With pillar 3a you can tax-privileged for your retirement, or for home ownership, for example. save. But which of the many 3a providers suits you best?
This post allows you to Pillar 3a comparison and a good overview of the Digital Pillar 3a provider. 3a funds are particularly profitable, which is why this comparison focuses on providers with securities.
The individual 3a providers are compared in terms of what they offer and their respective advantages and disadvantages, as well as their fees. At the end of the article you will know exactly, which pillar 3a option suits you best!
So let's start with an overview!
| CHF 1 | Finpension | Frankly | Viac | True Wealth | Descartes | Selma Finance | Inyova |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Total fees ** | 0.39% | 0.44% | 0.00% - 0.44% | 0.15% - 0.25% | 0.65% - 0.80% | 0.69% - 0.90% | 0.80% |
| Available share quotas | 0% - 100% | 10% - 100% | 0% - 99% | 0% - 99% | 20% - 100% | 15% - 97% | 25% - 100% |
| Staggering possible? | Maximum 5 pots | Maximum 5 pots | Maximum 5 pots | Maximum 5 pots | Maximum 3 pots | No | No |
| Minimum investment amount | CHF 1 | CHF 1 | CHF 1 | CHF 1,000 | CHF 1 | CHF 1 (the money is invested from CHF 500) | CHF 100 |
| Home ownership promotion | CHF 250 (if longer than 1 year at Finpension) | Free | CHF 300 (except for mortgage with Viac) | CHF 250 | CHF 400 | CHF 300 | CHF 400 |
| More offers | - Freedom of movement | - (Indirect: ZKB offers) | - Freedom of movement - Insurances - Mortgage | - Free assets | - Free assets - Freedom of movement | - Free assets | - Free assets |
| Investment Foundation | finpension 3a Pension Foundation | Pension Foundation Savings 3 of the Zürcher Kantonalbank | Terzo Pension Foundation of Bank WIR | 3a Digital Pension Foundation of the Cantonal Bank of Basellandschaft | Independent Pension Foundation 3a Zurich | VZ Pension Foundation 3a | Liberty Foundation for 3a Retirement Savings |
| Special advantages | Very reasonable total fees | App and desktop solution | Free death or disability cover | Automatic staggering. Automatic staggering of 3a and 3b | Investment strategy Equal weighting | Combination with free assets reconcilable | Geared towards sustainability |
| Promotion? | CHF 25 voucher | CHF 35 voucher | (refer-a-friend codes) | 0.0% Management fee | - | CHF 34 | 12 months free of charge |
| Schwiizerfranke Rating |  |  | | |  |  | |
| Test report | Test report | Test report | Test report | Test report | Test report | Test report |
When choosing a pillar 3a provider, it is important to know what you intend to do with your pillar 3a. This article discusses the 3a fund and 3a securities providers compared.
As investment strategies can overlap and complement other investments in your discretionary assets, you should Pay attention to the following factors when comparing pillar 3a 2024:
For example, you would like to save for a home ownership promotion and use the 3a Investment strategy coordinated with the strategy of your free assets (pillar 3b)? Then look for a provider where this is possible.
Surely you know that inflation leaves nothing left of the interest on the account. Long-term investors therefore opt for Pillar 3a fund solutions in a 3a custody account and invest their long-term pension assets in securities.
When comparing pillar 3a products, you will quickly notice that there is a wide range of investment strategies to choose from and that some providers differ drastically. Therefore ask yourself How you want to invest (e.g. global, with a focus on Switzerland or sustainable and, in particular, how much risk you want to take).
The biggest job has already been taken away from you, because all the above supplier have Fair pillar 3a fees. All fees in the above comparison for the best pillar 3a in Switzerland have been carefully checked by Schwiizerfranke and a preselection has already been made for you to simplify the selection.
The differences are usually no longer great, but let's discuss the fees in a little more detail.
Don't fixate on a single provider, but consider opening several 3a pots with several providers. This has three important advantages:
Several pots at several pension foundations are therefore very advantageous!
"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".
We have compiled our top selection for you from all our tests and experience reports:
No Data Found
"It's not tragic whether I 0.2% pay more or less fees". Don't be so sure! Because in the 3a area we often talk about large numbers.
Example: At the age of 30, you start paying CHF 7,000 into your pillar 3a every year until you retire. With a return of 5% per year, this amounts to an impressive CHF 663,854 by the age of 65.
A provider with 0.2% Fees more per year than an alternative provider in this case costs you a whole CHF 16'615 of fees and thus inhibits compound interest. The new final amount is therefore only CHF 634,552, i.e. CHF 29,302 less! So we are already talking about the price of a mid-range car.
It is important to understand that almost each provider has different fee structures has. The comparison is therefore not easy and cannot be made across the board. Because in some cases there are also additional fees and surcharges which were not initially declared.
But don't worry, all the providers in the above comparison are designed to be very reasonably priced. Especially Favourable pillar 3a providers are:
Keep in mind that fees are only one side of the equation. Decisive for your Pillar 3a return will also be the investment strategy. Let's talk about that briefly as well.
All of the above providers offer passive investment strategies an. Science confirms that such passive investment strategies are More successful in the long term than active strategies are (**).
Tip: Frankly offers active investment strategies - but you can also switch to the passive investment strategy when you open your Frankly Pillar 3a.
Some solutions in the Pillar 3a provider comparison above offer a sustainable investment strategy an.
Sustainable investing sounds good, but on closer inspection it is often not very meaningful. This is because the regulations regarding ESG are not yet very far-reaching in Switzerland. Accordingly, not all sustainability is the same and should always be examined in detail be
Descartes Precaution stands out with a special investment strategy (equal weighting). A Equal weighting can reduce the investment risk, especially in uncertain stock market times.
True Wealth offers a Reconciliation of pillar 3a and pillar 3b in which a reconciliation to the free assets at True Wealth's robo-advisor is made possible. Such a holistic view of all investments makes perfect sense.
In our Wealthletter you get access to exclusive financial knowledge, Investment tips and guides! Bonus: Our investment Guidebook as eBook for free!
Pure added value. No spam. Brings you further and that free of charge. Leave email, confirm and go!
Choosing a provider that suits you and your plans is already half the battle. And then to find the Get the most out of your Pillar 3a to be able to optimise:
Extremely low total fees
Favourable WEF advance withdrawal
High equity exposure
Very low total fees
Favourable WEF advance withdrawal
High equity exposure & individual strategy
Viac, Frankly and Finpension are all popular providers of pillar 3a securities solutions. All three offer a Broad range of investment opportunities and this at inexpensive fees. The Main difference exists in the available services and the Customer Serviceoffered by each provider.
With regard to the comparison of Viac vs. Frankly vs. Finpension, it is not only fees that should be discussed. The differences in fees are extremely low, which is why factors such as investment strategy should receive far more focus.
So ask yourself on the basis of the above characteristics, what is particularly important to you in a 3a provider and then use the table to compare what suits you best. Because there is no such thing as the perfect provider for everyone.
Your key to success! Discover our top recommendations from real testimonials.
Due to the long investment horizon and the resulting often large amounts, it is worthwhile to have a Thorough pillar 3a comparison definitely.
With the right Pillar 3a app, you can long-term not only Save taxes (thanks to the staggering, especially when it comes to purchasing), but also a accumulate a small fortune.
Remember that there is no such thing as the best pillar 3a provider; this question must always be answered individually.
If you would like to know how you can get even more out of your Pillar 3a, you should read the following this contribution do not miss.
Otherwise share with pleasure your 3a experiences about individual providers in the comments! What did you notice positively and negatively in your 3a test and your personal experiences?
** Sources:
Scientific study on active and passive investments
*** Note
The fees of the pillar 3a funds and providers can vary depending on the use and products used. Schwiizerfranke can therefore give no guarantee about the exact pillar 3a fees.
The equity risk is usually determined depending on your investment period and risk perception, as well as other factors.
Don't worry, the respective pillar 3a securities providers will support you in determining your investment strategy.
"Is there a pillar 3a securities comparison? The securities used are very similar among the providers. Furthermore, the investment strategy can usually be adapted and aligned with a focus (e.g. focus on Switzerland).
This pillar 3a comparison is limited to 3a custody accounts. To keep the test of pillar 3a funds comparatively clear, interest accounts are compared separately.
Here is a contribution that clarifies whether a custody account, an account or even insurance can be useful for you.
The best place to take out a pillar 3a depends on your personal preferences, circumstances and goals.
So first make clear exactly what you want with your pillar 3a and then which provider can best serve you.
The best pillar 3a solution that is best for everyone simply does not exist.
17 Responses
Hello everybody
About 3 years ago I was persuaded by an adviser to take out my 3a with Pax. I have been paying in full since then. Since I've been looking more closely at my finances recently, I can't find the information I need to find out whether this was the right decision...
Can you please help me with this???
Hello Daniel,
if it is a 3a policy in the form of a mixed life insurance policy, you will find here a contribution to that.
And here is another comparison 3a policy vs. account vs. custody account.
Congratulations Eric on your great site. I've already learnt a lot there.
I use 3a from True Wealth and am very satisfied. The app is also very user-friendly and clearly organised. I also find it perfect that it is automatically divided into 5 accounts without me having to worry about it.
I also use True Wealth for my "free" investments (and also for my wife and the children's portfolios). I'm also very happy with this and think it's great that the strategy for 3a and free assets is identical.
If you want to benefit from only 0.25% asset management fee for 1 year (save 44%) you are welcome to use the link when opening!
Hello Eric
First of all, a big compliment and thank you for your homepage and the comprehensible financial reports. 😃
My question: I am considering opening a 3a account with TW. In your table you state that the minimum investment amount is CHF 1. On the TW homepage, however, it says that the minimum deposit is CHF 1000. What applies now or am I confusing something?
Greetings Stefan
Hello Stefan
Thank you very much for your good feedback!
And thank you very much for pointing this out - True Wealth has probably adjusted it! Initially it was CHF 1, but now I can confirm that it has risen to CHF 1000 for pillar 3a.
Presumably because otherwise the costs would be too high for them in percentage terms.
I have adjusted the post, thanks to your info 🙂
Dear greetings
Eric
Good day
I wanted to ask what your opinion is on Yuh's 3a pillar
With kind regards
Raphael
Hello Raphael
Thank you for your question. A post on this is already planned 🙂 Kind regards
Eric
Dear Eric
Thank you very much for your great work! I always consult your site with great benefit before making my financial decisions. Right now I'm in the process of opening another 3a pillar. Although it will still be around 10 years before I start liquidating the pillars, I would be interested to know not only the running costs but also the fees that will be incurred on withdrawal. For older people like me, this would also be a decision criterion that could be useful in your overview.
Best regards
Dear Franziska,
Thank you very much for your positive feedback! I'm particularly pleased to receive news like this 🙂
Regarding your question: I am not aware of any fees that are due for the regular liquidation of pillar 3a custody accounts. The situation is different for early withdrawals for home ownership promotion; you can find information on this in the table above.
If your question was also about taxes, these depend largely on your income. Accordingly, you should make the withdrawal in stages, as described here.
Best regards and see you soon,
Eric
Have a few codes here for VIAC to manage the first CHF 1000 free of charge:
eqEonJ
rs7GZ91
ECnBWBF
I read an analysis on true wealth 3a at thepoorswiss. In fact, the asset allocation of a 99% equity strategy does not seem optimal to me. Too much Europe, too little USA, etc. Stamp duty on ETFs and dividend withholding
What do you think about these points?
Thomas
Hello, Thomas,
Thank you very much for your input and the advice.
This is where opinions differ! I cannot go into this sufficiently in a commentary, but this much can be said:
If you take the last 20 years and compare the net return of the SPI vs. the S&P500, at first glance the US index wins. But not if you look correctly and take into account the currency loss, because the dollar lost value against the franc. In net and currency-adjusted terms, the SPI did better for us Swiss.
There are TOP economists who deliberately focus on Switzerland and there are TOP economists who nevertheless strongly overweight international stocks. We only know what the past has brought, but not 100%ig what the future will bring. I am therefore reluctant to go out on a limb...
I hope this helps you a little?
Kind regards
Eric
Well explained 🙂
Greetings Eric
Thank you for your interesting tips on pillar 3a. I have learned a lot, even though I have had a Pillar 3a account for over 10 years. (I've been with Frankly for just under 1.5 years).
But what I don't understand is the WEF (
Home ownership promotion).
What is it exactly, what do I need it for?
With some providers this is free, with others between 250-400chf.
Is free good or bad?
How should I understand this?
Thank you
Dear Andre
thank you for your positive message 🙂
A WEF is only relevant for you if you want to promote home ownership with pension assets.
You can use money from your pension fund (2nd pillar) or from pillar 3a for owner-occupied residential property.
Since we are talking about 3a in this post:
The various 3a providers usually charge fees for such an advance withdrawal. So "free" is good, here the fees are more or less already paid and included in the all-in-fee.
If you plan to make several early withdrawals from pillar 3a, you should of course take any fees into account.
Love!
Eric
Hello, Eric,
When you write "Build up your 3a assets in several 3a pots in order to be able to draw on the individual pillars in stages later on" do you mean in parallel, i.e. pay in e.g. 2000.00 per year at the same time or one after the other as soon as an amount of e.g. 30,000.00 is reached?
Many thanks and big compliments to this blog and the many explanations and tips!
Dear greetings, Iris
Hello Iris,
Thank you very much for your great feedback 🙂 I am very happy about that.
There are different strategies to fill your 3a pots. The most common is to open successive pots (e.g. open a new pot every CHF 30,000).
However, you can also, for example, open several pots from the beginning (e.g. 5 pots) and use these Parallel by standing order fill. Although this involves more work, it also has advantages depending on the investment objective, as described above.
As described, it can also be advantageous to spread your Pillar 3a pots over several providers and thus investment foundations (e.g. Frankly, Finpension, Viac, ...).
There are many different ways to reach the desired goal. The question is simply what your goal is, what is best suited for it and what effort you are willing to put into it.
Regardless of whether you are saving for a WEF or for a regular retirement in pillar 3a, it is essential to build up several pots in order to be able to approach the withdrawal intelligently from a tax perspective later on, and draw staggered to be able
Best wishes and good luck 🙂
Eric