Guide 2026 · Costs · Duration
Transfer your pillar 3a
How to switch from your bank to a low-cost app, for free and without taxes. Done in 4 steps and approx. 15 minutes.
Updated on 13 November 2026 · Reading time approx. 5 minutes · by Helga Baechler, certified wealth advisor IAF
I got this message on Instagram: «How does a pillar 3a transfer work? Mine is at UBS and I noticed they charge 0.75 % in fees.» The good news is that you can transfer your pillar 3a, and it is much easier than you think.
How do you transfer your pillar 3a?
To transfer your pillar 3a, you open a new pillar 3a account online with a low-cost provider and fill in the transfer form there. The new provider handles the rest with your old bank. The money stays in pillar 3a, no taxes are due, and the transfer is usually free.
My two favourites for the transfer
No. 1 · my winner
finpension
CHF 25Credit towards your fees
- 0.39 % flat, fund costs included
- Request the transfer directly in the app
- Enter the code when you open your account
*Advertising. My step-by-step guide with screenshots is in open a finpension 3a account.
No. 2 · lowest fee
findependent
CHF 2’000fee-free with no time limit
- 0.29 % management fee, fund TER 0.00 %
- Transfer by 28.2.2027, fee-free until 30.6.2027
- Only one findependent code per person
*Advertising. The code liebe3a applies to pillar 3a. findependent’s website is in German.
Is a transfer worth it? The pillar 3a fee traffic light
What matters is the total cost per year, i.e. the management fee plus fund costs.
How to calculate your real costs
Total cost per year = management fee + TER + any custody fee.
An example with a balance of CHF 30’000.
- Bank at 0.75 % total. That is CHF 225 per year.
- finpension at 0.39 %. That is CHF 117 per year, fund costs included.
- findependent at 0.29 %. That is CHF 87 per year, the fund TER is 0.00 %.
Where do you find your fees?
- Annual statement of your pillar 3a. This usually shows the management fee.
- Factsheet or key information document of the fund. Here you find the TER, often called «ongoing charges».
- Fee or cost regulations. These list redemption, custody and transfer fees.
My tip. Simply ask your bank: «What are the total annual costs of my pillar 3a in percent, including fund costs, and which one-off fees apply?» This gives you a number you can compare with the calculator.
How much does switching your pillar 3a bring you?
Just 0.4 percentage points lower fees make a big difference over 20 or 30 years. Calculate it with your own numbers.
Fee calculator
What does your pillar 3a cost you until retirement?
Enter your numbers and see instantly how much more a switch to a low-cost app brings you.
More wealth at retirement after switching
CHF 25’190
with 0.39 % instead of 0.75 % fees per year
CHF 25 credit towards your fees*. Here is how the transfer works in 4 steps.
Assumption approx. 5 percent return per year before fees, contributions at the start of each year. Simplified calculation, not a forecast.
How to transfer your pillar 3a in 4 steps
Choose a new provider. For example finpension or findependent. All providers are in my pillar 3a fees comparison.
Open a pillar 3a account online. In the app, with your ID or passport. It takes approx. 10 to 15 minutes. Choose your strategy and share of equities right away. I show exactly how with screenshots in open a finpension 3a account.
Request the transfer in the app. Enter the name of your old bank and your pillar 3a account number and sign digitally. The new provider sends the request to your bank. You do not need to cancel anything at the old bank. But check your old bank’s regulations first. Some banks have a notice period, usually 3 or 6 months, and deduct a fee if you do not keep to it.
Sit back and wait. The old bank sells your funds and transfers the money. This usually takes approx. 30 days. After that it is invested according to your new strategy.
Tip
Make this year’s contributions straight into the new pillar 3a account. That way you do not need to do anything more at the old bank. To be deductible, the money must arrive by the end of the year.
Costs, taxes and pitfalls of a pillar 3a transfer
- No taxes. A transfer from pillar 3a to pillar 3a is not a withdrawal.
- Usually free. Most banks charge nothing. If in doubt, ask whether there is a closing fee.
- Several portfolios. Many apps allow up to 5 portfolios. This helps later with staggered withdrawals and saves taxes.
- Only from 3a to 3a. The money may not go to your private account.
- Briefly not invested. During the transfer your money sits as cash for a few days.
- A pillar 3a insurance is a special case. If you cancel, you often only get the surrender value. Never combine pillar 3a with insurance, it is far too expensive.
Which provider should I transfer my pillar 3a to?
| Provider | Fee per year | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 1. finpension | 0.39 % flat | My winner, up to 99 % shares |
| 2. findependent | 0.29 % | Lowest fee, transfer offer |
| 3. VIAC | max. 0.40 % | Fee cap, no fee on cash |
| neon | 0.38 to 0.45 % | Complete beginners, account and 3a in one app |
As of November 2026, no guarantee. All providers are compared in my pillar 3a fees comparison.
The codes for finpension and findependent are further up.
Frequently asked questions about transferring your pillar 3a
What fees does a pillar 3a have?
Every year there is the provider’s management fee and the fund costs (TER), sometimes also a custody fee. On top of that there can be one-off redemption commissions, transaction costs, currency exchange surcharges and a closing fee when you switch.
What is the TER in pillar 3a?
The TER (total expense ratio) is the annual cost inside the fund itself, for example for fund management. It is deducted directly in the fund price and does not appear on your statement. You find it in the factsheet or key information document of the fund.
Can I transfer only part of my pillar 3a?
No. A pillar 3a account can only be transferred as a whole, splitting it later is not allowed. If you have several pillar 3a accounts, you can transfer each one separately.
Is there a notice period for a pillar 3a transfer?
Not at most banks, you can switch at any time. Some banks have a notice period in their regulations, usually 3 or 6 months. If you do not keep to it, a fee may be deducted from your balance. So check your old bank’s regulations or ask before you start the transfer. A pillar 3a insurance has fixed contract terms, and leaving early often costs a lot of money.
Are my funds transferred directly?
Usually not. The old bank sells your fund units and transfers the money. A direct transfer of securities is only possible if both providers offer exactly the same products.
Do I lose money with a transfer?
You pay no taxes. But your money is not invested for a few days, and the market can rise or fall during that time. If your old bank charges a redemption commission or closing fee, that costs extra.
How many pillar 3a accounts can I have?
There is no legal limit. But the maximum amount applies to all accounts together, in 2026 that is CHF 7’258 if you have a pension fund. Several accounts are worth it because you can later withdraw them in stages and save taxes.
Can I pay into two providers in the same year?
Yes. The only thing that matters is that together you do not pay in more than the maximum amount. The simplest way is to pay only into the new provider after the transfer.
Can I switch my pillar 3a several times?
Yes, you can transfer your pillar 3a balance to another provider again at any time, always the whole account. As each switch takes a few weeks, it is worth choosing a low-cost provider right away.
When are pillar 3a fees expensive?
Under 0.5 % per year all-in is low cost, 0.5 to 0.75 % is mid-range. From 0.75 % a pillar 3a is considered expensive, and switching is almost always worth it.
Does it cost anything to transfer my pillar 3a?
Usually not. Most banks transfer your pillar 3a balance for free. Some providers charge a small closing fee, ask if in doubt.
Do I have to pay taxes on the transfer?
No. A transfer from one pillar 3a solution to another is not a withdrawal. Your money remains tied up in pillar 3a for tax purposes.
How long does the transfer take?
Usually approx. 30 days. If the old bank first has to sell funds or details are missing, it can take a little longer.
Do I have to cancel my pillar 3a account at the bank myself?
No. You request the transfer with the new provider, and they handle everything with your old bank.
Can I transfer my pillar 3a from UBS to finpension?
Yes, it works like with any other bank. You open the pillar 3a account at finpension and request the transfer there. finpension takes care of the rest with UBS.
I am an expat. Can I transfer my pillar 3a?
Yes. As long as you live and work in Switzerland, you can transfer your pillar 3a just like Swiss residents. If you leave Switzerland for good, you can usually withdraw it instead. More in pillar 3a for expats.
My conclusion on transferring your pillar 3a
15 minutes of effort, the new provider does the rest. From a 0.75 % fee, switching is almost always worth it, and every year counts.
About the author. Helga Baechler is a certified wealth advisor IAF and has been writing about pillar 3a, ETFs and building wealth on liebefinanzen.ch since 2020. She regularly compares the fees of all major pillar 3a providers in Switzerland.
Read more
*Advertising, affiliate links and codes. This article is for general information only and is not investment advice. Fees as of November 2026, no guarantee.
All my promo codes for Swiss banks, brokers and pillar 3a are on one page, Swiss promo codes 2026.
