My finpension pillar 3a review
finpension 3a
Säule 3a (pillar 3a) as an account or invested in retirement savings funds. What finpension costs, how safe it is and how to get started.
Updated on 1 November 2026 · Reading time approx. 9 minutes · by Helga Baechler, certified wealth advisor IAF
finpension is one of the best-known 3a apps in Switzerland. It has existed since 2020. Today more than 60’000 people use it. In comparisons finpension often comes out near the top because its fees are low. Here I explain in simple terms how finpension works, what it costs and who it suits.
In a nutshell
finpension pillar 3a: is it worth it?
Yes, for most people. finpension costs 0.39 % per year, you invest with up to 99 % equities and you can hold up to 5 portfolios. You can start from as little as CHF 1 in the app. In my pillar 3a comparison finpension ranks first, ahead of findependent in second place.
finpension
CHF 25credit on your fees
- 0.39 % per year, up to 99 % equities
- Up to 5 portfolios, start from CHF 1
- Enter the code in the app when you open your account
- Copy the code
- Download the app
- Enter the code
*Advertising, affiliate link. The bonus may change, you can see the current amount in the app.
*Advertising, affiliate links. This post contains affiliate links. If you open an account through one of them, I may receive a small commission. It costs you nothing extra. My opinion stays honest.
finpension pillar 3a in a nutshell
Summary
- You have two options. Your money sits in an account earning interest. Or you invest it in funds with up to 99 % equities. You can also do both.
- The fee is always the same, 0.39 % per year.
- You open everything in the app. You can start with as little as CHF 1.
- With the code LIEBXP you get a CHF 25 credit.
Last updated on 1 November 2026
- Provider finpension AG, Lucerne
- Founded 2020
- Customers more than 60’000
- Costs 0.39 % per year
- Equities up to 99 %
- Supervision Central Swiss pension and foundation supervisory authority (Zentralschweizer BVG- und Stiftungsaufsicht, ZBSA)
- Where your money is held UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank
- Voucher code LIEBXP
Account or investing, what is the difference?
With finpension you have two options. You can mix them or switch at any time.
3a account
- Your money sits in an account earning interest
- It does not fluctuate, but it hardly grows
- You pay in whenever you like
Investing your 3a
- Your money is invested in funds
- Up to 99 % equities possible
- You get funds that are otherwise only used by Pensionskassen (pension funds)
You can hold up to 5 portfolios at the same time. For example one as an account and one for investing. Several portfolios help you save tax later on. You can read how that works in Pillar 3a 2027, the right strategy. How many equities other providers allow is explained in Pillar 3a with 100% equities.
How many equities do you want?
You choose between six levels. The rest goes into bonds. These are calmer investments that pay interest.
| Level | Equities | Bonds |
|---|---|---|
| Very defensive | 0% | 100% |
| Defensive | 20% | 80% |
| Balanced | 40% | 60% |
| Growth | 60% | 40% |
| Offensive | 80% | 20% |
| Very offensive | 99% | 1% |
More equities means your money fluctuates more. In return, the chance of higher returns over many years is greater. Why 99 % and not 100 %? A small remainder is kept as cash. The fee is paid from it.
Global, Switzerland or Sustainable
Every level comes in three variants.
| Variant | What is behind it |
|---|---|
| Global | Invests in the whole world. The USA has the largest share. |
| Switzerland | More Swiss equities than in the world market. |
| Sustainable | Funds with sustainability rules. |
Want even more control? Then you put together your own strategy. You choose funds from UBS or Swisscanto for this. The two are very similar. The 0.39 % fee also covers rebalancing your portfolio. You do not have to worry about it. You pay nothing extra for foreign currencies. Changing your strategy is free at any time.
Why not simply use the 3a account at your bank?
A 3a account feels safe. The balance does not fluctuate. But interest rates are low. In 2026 they averaged approx. 0.27 %. Inflation was higher at approx. 0.6 %. So your money loses value, even if the figure in your account rises slightly.
With pillar 3a you often have 20 to 40 years. Over such a long period the stock market has so far evened out its fluctuations. A savings account earns very little over that time. If you only use the account, you give away a lot. I advise you against a pillar 3a with an insurance company, because combining saving and insuring is far too expensive. You can read why in Cancel or keep a mixed life insurance policy? I explain how investing in pillar 3a works in Investing in pillar 3a, simply explained.
At many banks investing in pillar 3a is more expensive and more complicated. The fees are higher and the choice is smaller. You will find the comparison with figures in Pillar 3a at your bank or digital. With finpension everything runs in one app, for a low fee. By the way, you are not allowed to buy individual shares in pillar 3a. The law only permits broadly diversified funds. Whether investing or saving suits you better is explained in ETF or pillar 3a.
Opening an account, here is how
- Download the app or start in your browser. finpension is available for iPhone, Android and in the browser.
- Register. There is no minimum amount. You can start from CHF 1.
- Choose account or investing. Or both, with up to 5 portfolios.
- Enter the code. With LIEBXP you get a CHF 25 credit.
- Bring over your old 3a (optional). You fill in a form. finpension does the rest.
You will find the full guide with pictures for every step in Opening finpension 3a.
finpension voucher: LIEBXP
finpension
CHF 25credit on your fees
- 0.39 % per year, up to 99 % equities
- Up to 5 portfolios, start from CHF 1
- Enter the code in the app when you open your account
- Copy the code
- Download the app
- Enter the code
*Advertising, affiliate link. The bonus may change, you can see the current amount in the app.
You will find all the details about the code on my page finpension voucher code LIEBXP.
What does finpension cost?
finpension charges 0.39 % per year. This applies to the account and to investing. When investing, small fund costs are added. You will find the comparison with VIAC and frankly in VIAC vs. finpension vs. Frankly. You can see all providers in the pillar 3a fee comparison. Since October 2026 the new findependent pillar 3a at 0.29% is slightly cheaper still.
How safe is finpension?
finpension’s 3a foundation is supervised by the Zentralschweizer BVG- und Stiftungsaufsicht (ZBSA). VATAR AG audits it in addition. Your money is held at UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank. It is kept separate from the money of the company finpension. You can read more about this in Is finpension safe?
Moving your 3a from your bank to finpension
After opening your account you download a form. You send it to your old bank. finpension emails you as soon as the money has arrived. Prefer paper? Then finpension posts you the form with a return envelope. You will find more tips on switching in Switching your pillar 3a.
Pillar 3a maximum amount 2026 and 2027
| Situation | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Employed with a pension fund | CHF 7’258 | CHF 7’373 |
| Without a pension fund | 20 % of salary, max. CHF 36’288 | 20 % of salary, max. CHF 36’864 |
You will find all the new amounts for 2027 in Retirement provision 2027, these 4 amounts are changing.
How often, when and how much to pay in?
With finpension nothing is compulsory. There is no minimum amount and no fixed schedule. A plan still helps, especially if you invest.
How often to pay in?
There are two ways. You can change at any time.
Once in January
- Your money is invested early
- On average it brings slightly higher returns
- You need the whole amount at once
Every month
- The cost is spread evenly across your budget
- Fluctuations even out better
- You can pause at any time
When to pay in?
For tax purposes the calendar year counts. The money must be in your 3a account by 31 December. Simply having sent the transfer is not enough. You will find the exact deadlines in Paying into pillar 3a in 2026. If you invest, paying in early in the year is worthwhile. Then your money works for you for longer.
How much to pay in?
In 2026 the maximum is CHF 7’258 with a pension fund. Without a pension fund it is 20 % of your salary, up to CHF 36’288. In 2027 the amount rises to CHF 7’373. The maximum saves the most tax, but it is not a must. What matters more is that you pay in regularly. And only as much as you can afford.
Frequently asked questions about finpension 3a
What does pillar 3a cost with finpension?
What is the minimum amount to start?
How many equities are possible?
Can I use the account and investing at the same time?
How do I move my 3a to finpension?
Should I have several 3a accounts?
How quickly is my money invested?
How often should I pay in?
What is the deadline for paying in?
What do I get with the code LIEBXP?
Who supervises finpension?
Conclusion of my finpension pillar 3a review
finpension has very low fees and up to 99 % equities. Opening an account is easy and done in the app. Are you also interested in finpension Invest outside pillar 3a? Then read my finpension review. finpension is also available as a Kinderdepot (investment account for children) and for your Freizügigkeitsgeld (vested benefits).
finpension
CHF 25credit on your fees
- 0.39 % per year, up to 99 % equities
- Up to 5 portfolios, start from CHF 1
- Enter the code in the app when you open your account
- Copy the code
- Download the app
- Enter the code
*Advertising, affiliate link. The bonus may change, you can see the current amount in the app.
About the author. I am a finance blogger and certified wealth advisor IAF, and I have been writing on liebefinanzen.ch about ETFs, dividends and pillar 3a since 2020. finpension is the winner of my pillar 3a comparison.
Helga Baechler, certified wealth advisor IAF
