Pillar 3a Comparison 2026
Fee check as of November 2026
10 providers
finpension, findependent, VIAC, Frankly, neon, Selma, Inyova, Swissquote, Yuh and Zak compared side by side, with promo codes.
Updated 1 November 2026 · 10 providers reviewed · Reading time approx. 14 minutes · by Helga Baechler, certified wealth advisor IAF
The third pillar is one of the most important ways to save for retirement in Switzerland. When you pay in, you save on tax and put money aside for later life at the same time. Alongside the classic bank accounts, there are now lots of really good digital providers. In this Säule 3a (pillar 3a) fees comparison I show you the 10 best providers in Switzerland, from my test winner finpension and the new findependent 3a at just 0.29% to VIAC, Frankly, neon, Selma, Inyova, Zak, Yuh and Swissquote, with current figures as of October 2026.
In my opinion, a simple pillar 3a bank account is not worth it, because it leaves the long investment horizon completely unused. It makes more sense to invest your pillar 3a money in shares and funds, ideally through tax-optimised pension funds.
In brief
Pillar 3a comparison: which has the lowest fees?
My test winner is finpension at 0.39% flat, tried and tested and very flexible. In second place comes the new findependent 3a, the cheapest with a management fee of 0.29%. Behind them are VIAC at a maximum of 0.40% and Frankly at 0.43% all-in. I don’t recommend a pure pillar 3a bank account, because the long investment horizon goes unused.
Pillar 3a comparison at a glance
Summary at a glance
- finpension and findependent lead on fees, while Frankly scores with simplicity.
- In 2026 you can pay in up to CHF 7’258 if you have a Pensionskasse (occupational pension fund), or up to CHF 36’288 without one. In 2027 the amounts rise to CHF 7’373 and CHF 36’864 respectively.
- New: From 2026 you can make up missed contributions up to 10 years retroactively, but only for gaps from 2025 onwards and only once the current year’s contribution has been paid in full.
- A pillar 3a account with your regular bank is easy to transfer to a digital provider. What that gets you is shown in my comparison Pillar 3a with your bank or an app.
- New in the comparison: neon 3a at 0.38% to 0.45% all-in. For complete beginners it’s the simplest solution, because your account and your 3a run in the same app.
- New since October 2026: findependent 3a with a management fee of just 0.29% and a fund TER of 0.00%. If you transfer an existing 3a by 28 February 2027, you pay no fees until 30 June 2027.
- This is not investment advice. It is my personal assessment, meant as guidance.
My top 2 for your pillar 3a
finpension
CHF 25credit towards fees
- 0.39% flat, up to 99% shares
- Up to 5 portfolios for staggered withdrawals
- Enter the code when you open your account
*Advertising. All conditions on my page finpension promo code.
findependent
CHF 2’000fee-free with no time limit
- 0.29% management fee, fund TER 0.00%
- Start from CHF 1, up to 5 portfolios
- Only one findependent code per person
*Advertising. The code liebe3a applies to pillar 3a, for findependent Invest there’s the code liebefinanzen20.
*Advertising, affiliate links and codes. If you open an account via my link or with my code, I may receive a small commission. It costs you nothing extra.
Why pillar 3a is so attractive
- You can deduct contributions from your taxable income
- You save specifically for retirement
- Your money grows over the long term thanks to compound interest
- Early withdrawal is possible when buying a home, becoming self-employed or emigrating
For many people, the tax saving is the main reason. And the best part is that you can easily move your pillar 3a from your regular bank to a digital provider. Most fintechs have a simple form for this.
I don’t recommend a pillar 3a with an insurance company. Combining saving and insurance is far too expensive, so you’re better off keeping investments and insurance separate. I explain why in Cancel or keep a mixed life insurance policy?
New in 2026
Maximum amount and catch-up contributions. For 2026, as an employee with a pension fund you can pay in up to CHF 7’258, and without a pension fund up to 20% of your earned income, to a maximum of CHF 36’288. Catch-up contributions are brand new. The revised rule has applied since 1 January 2025, but the first actual catch-up payment is only possible in 2026, namely for the gap from 2025. You cannot make up older gaps from before 2025. It’s also important that you first pay in the full maximum amount for the current year and that you have AHV-liable income (income subject to Swiss old-age and survivors’ insurance contributions) both in the gap year and in the year you make the catch-up payment. You can read when the money has to be in your account in Paying into pillar 3a in 2026.
Are ETFs suitable for pillar 3a?
Pillar 3a pension funds are made specifically for retirement saving. They are tax-optimised, which usually makes them more profitable than classic ETFs within the 3a. The reason lies in the structure of the pension foundation, which can reclaim withholding tax on dividends more efficiently.
In a nutshell, ETFs are great in a regular investment account. In pillar 3a, the pension index funds built for it are usually the better choice, thanks to tax advantages and low costs.
Pillar 3a comparison: fees of all 10 providers
I checked all fees on the providers’ own websites, for example at finpension.
In this table you’ll find the current fees and the most important points of comparison at a glance.
| Pillar 3a | Invests in | Equity share | Fees p.a. | Suitable for | Promo code* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| finpension | UBS & Swisscanto pension funds, real estate, precious metals, crypto up to 5% | up to 99% | 0.39% flat |
Return-focused investors | LIEBXP ⧉ |
| findependent (new) | Swisscanto index funds (zero-fee class), 15 solutions or your own portfolio from 33 funds | up to 99% | 0.29% Fund TER 0.00%* |
Cost-conscious investors, up to 5 portfolios | liebe3a ⧉ |
| VIAC | UBS & Swisscanto funds, cash at Bank WIR | up to 99% | max. 0.40% + 0 to 0.04% TER |
Low cost, also for the undecided | FNEzQPg ⧉ |
| Frankly | Swisscanto funds (ZKB, active and passive) | up to 95% | 0.43% Cash free |
Beginners | refhb99a0 ⧉ |
| neon (banking app) | Swisscanto index funds, 5 fixed strategies | up to 99% | 0.45 to 0.38% All-in, falls as your balance grows |
Complete beginners, everything in one app | liebefinanzen ⧉ |
| Selma | ETFs (e.g. Vanguard, iShares) | up to 97% | 0.68 to 0.47% + approx. 0.22% product costs |
Better for a regular investment account than for 3a | liebefinanzen ⧉ |
| Inyova | Own impact equity fund and green bonds | 20 to 100% | 0.80% Product costs refunded |
Sustainable investors | LIEBE-FINANZEN ⧉ |
| Zak (Bank Cler) | Bank Cler’s sustainable pension funds | 4 strategies, up to a pure equity strategy | approx. 1.25% Fund TER |
Banking app, but expensive | ZAKLOV ⧉ |
| Yuh (Swissquote) | Swisscanto index funds (CH, World, EM, bonds, real estate, gold) | up to 99% | 0.50% All-in |
Young people and app users, all-in-one | YUHLIEBE ⧉ |
| Swissquote Invest Easy | Own strategies or savings account | up to 98% | 0.60% Invest 0.00% Savings |
Security and the Swissquote platform | MKT_LIEBEFINANZEN ⧉ |
*Advertising, affiliate codes. Fees p.a. on invested assets. With findependent, solutions that include Swiss real estate also incur the pro rata TER of that fund. As of October 2026, no guarantee of accuracy, please check the current conditions directly with the provider before signing up.
My promo codes for your pillar 3a
Top recommendation
At 0.39% flat, finpension is my test winner, ideal for maximum returns with low fees and great flexibility. The new findependent 3a has even lower fees at 0.29%, and with the code liebe3a you can invest CHF 2’000 there fee-free with no time limit.
CHF 25 credit towards fees
Open finpension now →1finpension 3a
finpension
0.39% flatPros
- Equity share of up to 99%
- Very low flat fee of 0.39% per year, applies to all strategies
- Fund costs (TER) mostly at 0%, only a few funds add small costs, approx. 0.39 to 0.42% in total
- Tax-optimised pension funds
- High flexibility in your strategy, very low currency exchange costs
Cons
- CHF 250 fee for an early withdrawal to buy a home
- App somewhat more complex for beginners
2findependent 3a
findependent
0.29%Fees and strategies: Management fee of 0.29% per year. The Swisscanto index funds in the zero-fee class have a TER of 0.00%, the only exception being the Swiss real estate fund. Five ready-made investment solutions from 20 to 99% shares with a Standard, Global or Switzerland focus, or your own portfolio from approx. 30 index funds. Start from CHF 1, up to 5 portfolios.
Pros
- Lowest management fee in the comparison
- No stamp duty and no exchange rate surcharges, funds in CHF
- Up to 5 portfolios for staggered withdrawals
- Transfer promotion, transfer by 28 February 2027 and pay no fees until 30 June 2027
Cons
- New since October 2026, no track record yet
- Only one trading day per week
- No pure 3a account with interest
3VIAC 3a
VIAC
0.40 to 0.44%Pros
- Equity share of up to 99%
- Management fee only on the invested portion, nothing is charged on cash
- Management fee capped at 0.40% per year, including fund costs 0.40 to 0.44%
- Sustainable strategies available, transparent performance data
Cons
- Base fee is 0.52%, limited by the cap
- Foreign currency exchange charged at up to 0.75%
- Less freedom in your strategy than with finpension
4Frankly (ZKB) 3a
Frankly
0.43% all-inPros
- Simple all-in fee of 0.43%, no fee is charged on cash
- Community discount lowers the fee slightly as total volume grows
- No extra fee for an early withdrawal to buy a home
- User-friendly app and solid Swisscanto funds, ideal for beginners
Cons
- Maximum equity share of 95%
- No individual strategy possible
5Selma 3a
Selma
0.68 to 0.47%Pros
- Automated investment strategies
- Personal support via chat
- Tiered fee, falls from 0.68% to 0.55% from CHF 50’000 and to 0.47% from CHF 150’000
Cons
- ETF-based, less tax-efficient within the 3a
- Additional product costs of approx. 0.22% per year
- This limits the return potential in the 3a
6Inyova 3a
Inyova
0.80%Pros
- Consistent impact investing, direct investments in sustainable companies
- Strong focus on transparency
- Possible from CHF 100, equity share freely selectable from 20 to 100%
Cons
- Flat fee of 0.80% per year, which makes it more expensive than the top group. According to Inyova, it refunds the product costs of the new Inyova equity fund
- Since December 2025 its own active ETF with a TER of 0.95%, to which existing portfolios are being switched
- Returns often below passive strategies
7Swissquote 3a Easy
Swissquote 3a Easy
0.60% / 0.00%Products and costs: For saving, 100% cash at 0.10% interest (SARON) and no fees. For investing, a flat all-in fee of 0.60% per year including fund costs, implemented through Swissquote’s own professionally assembled investment strategies, with a choice of Balanced (approx. 55% shares), Dynamic (approx. 77%) and Ambitious (approx. 98%). Minimum investment CHF 100, strategy changes possible.
Pros
- Security through Swissquote
- Choice between savings and investment strategies
- Transparent flat fee of 0.60%, TER already included
- Fee-free savings solution, also for very conservative investors
Cons
- Fees higher than with finpension or VIAC
- No freely configurable strategy, only predefined ones
- Actively managed UBS Vitainvest funds instead of low-cost index funds
8Yuh pillar 3a
Yuh
0.50% all-inFees and strategies: Flat fee of 0.50% per year including fund costs, charged quarterly. Strategy changes are free. Five levels marked with a chilli symbol, from Mild (Yuh 3a 20, max. 30% shares) through Herzhaft (hearty), Würzig (spicy) and Scharf (hot) to Feurig (fiery) (Yuh 3a 100, max. 99% shares).
Pros
- Everything in one app, meaning account, trading, saving and 3a
- Five easy-to-choose strategies, Swisscanto index funds in CHF
- Free transfer from other banks
- User-friendly, a good app for beginners
Cons
- Less individually configurable than finpension or VIAC
- Only one 3a pot per person, so staggered withdrawals aren’t directly possible
- Fees higher than with the cheapest providers
9Zak 3a (Bank Cler)
Zak
approx. 1.25%Pros
- Everything in one app, banking and retirement savings together
- Sustainable strategies with an MSCI ESG AA rating
- User-friendly, ideal for beginners
Cons
- Ongoing costs of approx. 1.25% per year, about three times as much as with finpension
- Invests in Bank Cler’s own funds instead of low-cost index funds
- Less flexible in terms of strategy
10neon 3a
neon
0.45 to 0.38% all-inFees and strategies: A single all-in fee that falls as your balance grows, from 0.45% down to 0.38% from CHF 50’000. Five fixed strategies from Defensive 25 to Offensive 100 with 99% shares, with an optional focus on Switzerland or sustainability. Implemented with Swisscanto index funds.
Pros
- Ideal for complete beginners, you just pick one of five strategies
- Account, investing and 3a in one app, no extra pension app needed
- Start from CHF 1, no monthly minimum
- Up to 5 portfolios for staggered withdrawals
- From CHF 50’000, at 0.38% it’s even cheaper than finpension
Cons
- Below CHF 50’000 slightly more expensive than finpension and VIAC
- No individual strategy, no choice of your own funds
- Still a young offering, only on the market since the end of 2025
Pillar 3a comparison verdict: which provider is right for you?
The earlier you start with the third pillar, the stronger the compound interest effect. What matters isn’t the perfect moment but that you get started and choose the provider that suits your goals.
All the digital providers in this comparison are worth recommending. If low fees and maximum returns matter to you, finpension comes out on top, followed closely by the new findependent 3a at just 0.29% and VIAC. Frankly is strong on simplicity. If you’re a complete beginner, neon is the easiest way in, because your account and your 3a run in the same app. findependent has only been on the market since October 2026, so there is no long-term track record yet.
Don’t hesitate for too long. Make a decision and start investing in your pillar 3a. You can easily move it from your regular bank to a digital provider. The main thing is that you finally start investing your pillar 3a digitally. You’ll find more about investing freely alongside your 3a in my big investing guide for beginners.
finpension
CHF 25credit towards fees
- 0.39% flat, up to 99% shares
- Up to 5 portfolios for staggered withdrawals
- Enter the code when you open your account
*Advertising. All conditions on my page finpension promo code.
findependent
CHF 2’000fee-free with no time limit
- 0.29% management fee, fund TER 0.00%
- Start from CHF 1, up to 5 portfolios
- Only one findependent code per person
*Advertising. The code liebe3a applies to pillar 3a, for findependent Invest there’s the code liebefinanzen20.
About the author. Helga Baechler is a finance blogger and certified wealth advisor IAF. She regularly compares Swiss pension and investment products and writes about pillar 3a, ETFs and wealth building on liebefinanzen.ch.
Helga Baechler, certified wealth advisor IAF
Key pillar 3a terms
- Pension fund (Vorsorgefonds)
- A tax-optimised investment fund designed specifically for pillar 3a, usually cheaper within the 3a than a comparable regular ETF.
- Equity share
- The proportion of your retirement savings invested in shares rather than bonds or cash. The higher it is, the more growth potential, but also the more fluctuation.
- Fee cap
- An upper limit on how high the annual management fee can rise, regardless of the actual base fee.
- Staggered withdrawal
- Withdrawing several 3a accounts spread over different years in order to break the tax progression on withdrawal.
Pillar 3a comparison: frequently asked questions
What is the maximum I can pay into pillar 3a in 2026?
Can I make up missed 3a contributions?
Which pillar 3a provider has the lowest fees?
Can I move my 3a account from my regular bank to a digital provider?
Are ETFs or pension funds better in pillar 3a?
Can I have several pillar 3a accounts at the same time?
More on pillar 3a
In-depth articles on pillar 3a, from the basics to switching providers.
All my promo codes for Swiss banks, brokers and pillar 3a are on one page, Swiss promo codes 2026.
