Menu
Skip to content 
If you have your Let the pension fund pay out you can do this in 5 different cases. In many countries this is not so easy, but fortunately it is in Switzerland. So today you can find out how you can have your pension fund paid out throughout Switzerland.
When you reach normal retirement age (currently 65 for men and 64 for women), the pension fund assets are available to you as normal. You basically have the following options:
Capital paymentThis means you receive your entire pension fund assets as a one-off payout. This offers flexibility, as you can decide how you want to use the money. However, you must bear in mind that a lump-sum payout is subject to capital gains tax and you must pay tax on the amount. If you withdraw the capital, you are now responsible for managing and maintaining your assets yourself.
Monthly pensionThis option offers you a regular payment for the rest of your life. An annuity guarantees financial security and is particularly attractive if you want to avoid the risk of your capital being used up too quickly.
Combination of bothYou can also choose a combination of lump-sum payment and monthly pension to combine flexibility and security. So it doesn't always have to be a pension OR a lump sum. This can be a good solution if you want to have a larger amount available for larger expenses on the one hand, but at the same time want to secure a regular source of income.
The choice between a lump-sum payment and a pension is a crucial question that should be considered carefully. Comprehensive financial planning and advice can help you make the best decision for your situation.
The pension fund consists of a obligatory and a extra-mandatory Part. The mandatory portion corresponds to the statutory minimum contributions regulated in the BVG (Federal Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors' and Disability Pension Plans). The following apply to the payment Stricter regulations. The Non-mandatory part includes additional contributions and benefits that go beyond the statutory minimum and flexible can be obtained.
When you leave Switzerland for retirement and move to a EU/EFTA country move, only the Non-mandatory part be paid out, while the Compulsory part on a Vested benefits account remains. For payouts within Switzerland or for other cases, such as Independence or Early retirementDepending on the regulations of your pension fund, access to both parts may be possible.
It may also be worthwhile Vested benefit assets at Foundations in tax-favoured cantons in order to optimise the taxes due on payout. Cantons such as Schwyz and Zug in particular are known for their favourable tax conditions.
The Early withdrawal from the pension fund is possible in various cases. Here you will find an initial overview of an early withdrawal. You will then find out more about the individual areas.
Anyone who wants to take early retirement can cash out their pension fund. From when is this possible? The Minimum age of most pension funds is 58 years. If the money from your pension fund (PF) is deposited with a Vested benefits institutionit can at the earliest five years before reaching the regular AHV retirement age be obtained.
Watch out: Not every PF allows for a full payout for early retirement. At least 25% However, you can always have them paid out from your pension fund.
When paying out your pension fund in advance, be sure to consider the influence on its amount. Because the early withdrawal affects your conversion rate. It is advisable to contact your PF early (approx. 3-5 years) in advance.
However, the influence of a home ownership promotion (WEF) on the PF is usually manageable.
Here is an example calculated in Omnium by the Brain Group.
Assumptions:
Result: The PF pension differs only by about CHF 110 per month if the WEF withdrawal is repaid.
However, if the WEF payment is not repaid, this results in a gap of CHF 795 per month in the example!
Your key to success! Discover our top recommendations from real testimonials.
Home ownership is the dream of many, which is why property prices often reflect this. Those who opt for the Purchase of a home decides to do so, can use his Use 2nd pillar.
Under the keyword WEF (home ownership promotion) regulates this type of pension fund advance withdrawal. This may be a maximum of Every 5 years happen and there must be at least CHF 20'000 be obtained.
Incidentally, WEF can not only be used to purchase a permanently occupied home. The purchase of share certificates in a housing cooperative or the repayment of a mortgage are also possible. Whoever uses the Pension fund for the promotion of home ownership uses, lowers the interest burden and thus optimises the financing of the property.
The dream of the own company or the creative development in a Independence hovers in many people's minds. Financially, the hurdles are high for many people, which is why there is a Support through the 2nd pillar gives.
It is important to know: If you want to set up a limited liability company (GmbH) or a joint-stock company (AG), you cannot make use of this option. In these company forms you are an employee of your own company and are therefore still subject to the compulsory BVG. However, if you set up a sole proprietorship, you are no longer subject to this and can have your full PF paid out.
You must submit the application for payment of your PF in good time. You have 1 year after starting your self-employment time to submit the application. Otherwise, your pension assets remain in a vested benefits institution.
Are you planning to emigrate and want to leave Switzerland? If your decision is final and you want to move to a Non-EU/EFTA country of emigration, is a Pension fund payout possible.
Do you stay within the EU/EFTA area? Dan can Only the extra-mandatory credit balance be paid out. In this case, funds from the compulsory scheme are transferred to a vested benefits account and can only be withdrawn at ordinary retirement age.
"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".
We have compiled our top selection for you from all our tests and experience reports:
The long-awaited sabbatical is finally upon us? Time for your own children in the form of motherhood? Lost your job and temporarily unemployed?
During interruptions in employment can the PK credit balance on a Vested benefits account transferred. Here it can not be paid out, but at least profitably invested.
During our working lives, we pay diligently into the 2nd pillar and often forget that for many Swiss people this is where their greatest assets lie. However, pension fund withdrawals do not have to be made at regular age in the form of a lump-sum withdrawal or a pension. Also a early withdrawal is possible if certain criteria are met.
Are you still missing something on the subject? Is an early withdrawal from PK an option for you? Feel free to leave us a comment!
16 responses
Good day
My wife has recently become self-employed and has worked very little in Switzerland. Can I have part of my pension paid out? Since she has the rights, we got married at the time. to support her. Is that possible? Thank you very much for the information and stay healthy
Hello Michel
You cannot withdraw your PF beforehand without further ado. However, your wife can access pension assets as part of a new self-employment, such as explained here will.
Best wishes and good luck!
Eric
I worked in Switzerland from August 2013 till December 2014 and came back to my home country which is India. I understood from a colleague recently that PF amount contribution during my stay in Switzerland can be withdrawn. I wanted to understand the process to get that done.
probably the best advice would be to ask your last pension fund. they will assit you in the process
My daughter Diana Lehner- Müller was employed at the post office for many years where she had to stop for health reasons. she will be 58 years old on 19 March 2024. now she works part-time where she earns FR. 1'000 per month. She is self-employed and owns a small house. With this salary she can
not survive. She has a pension fund yield of CHF 137,000 but it doesn't pay out anything, so what can she do? She doesn't want the house
only has a mortgage of CHF 170,000.
Please let me know for a solution to the problem.
With kind regards
Guido Müller
Dear Mr Müller,
Your daughter should discuss such an important topic with an independent financial planner. Before she takes any major steps, it is also helpful to get a second opinion to be really sure.
Feel free to email me if I can recommend you to someone. I wish you much success!
Hello, I have sent all the PF documents. Everything is OK. I am registered in Switzerland as of 30.6. My question is whether the money from the PF can be transferred before 30.6 (could be). Or are there laws that do not allow this?
Hello Manuel
the best thing to do is to talk to your PK directly, they know best what is valid and feasible here 🙂
I would like to transfer part of the funds from the pension fund to an account?
When is it possible at the earliest?
Is this a special account?
How is it taxed?
Hello Zaga,
So you are planning early retirement? There are differences depending on the PF.
As far as I know, a payout is possible from the age of 58. The account is your private account and capital gains tax is due, which is different in every canton. So there are a few things to take into account.
It is best to contact your pension fund. After all, you have to declare your lump-sum withdrawal in good time.
Love!
Good day ladies and gentlemen
I have opened a single company and would like to pay out the pension fund money.
but due to the fact that I am still working 100% on a company, a few people have told me that it is impossible to get the money to pay out.
I take a salary of 4000 CHF net in month, (100%). does anyone know how I could manage to get the money to pay out?
MFG Santiago
What percentage is this in the case of a BVG lump-sum withdrawal?
Advantage or disadvantage BVG pension or lump-sum withdrawal
Where can I find information on the compulsory insurance when moving to an EU country?
Hello Nicole, look for example at the Foundation for reception Sync and corrections by n17t01
Hello.
I emigrated to South America a year ago.
Now I would like to have all my PK money paid out.
But I don't know where the money is or how I can apply for it.
Can anyone help me?
Kind regards
Hello Salvatore, you should talk to your last pension fund or vested benefits institution about the payout if the money was parked there. It's best to look for your old pension certificates if you can still find them...
Otherwise, contact your last employer and ask which pension fund you were insured with.
A third alternative would be to contact the ombudsman's office, where you can certainly get help.
Best wishes into the warmth 🙂