Finding the best pillar 3a investment funds in Switzerland
Pillar 3a investment funds beat savings accounts long-term by throwing your money into stocks, bonds, and other assets. Got 10+ years until retirement? The math is pretty clear: funds are the smart move.
Here's what's not obvious: picking the right fund versus the wrong one costs you about CHF 80,000 over 30 years on typical contributions. A fund charging 1.2% versus one at 0.39%? That difference doesn't just hurt a little. It compounds against you every single year for decades. That's your retirement money, not returns you failed to earn.
How 3a investment funds actually work
3a investment funds pool your money with other investors to buy diversified portfolios of stocks, bonds, and other stuff. You buy shares in the fund, which owns the actual investments.
The basics:
- Diversification: Your money spreads across hundreds or thousands of securities
- Professional management: Managers or algorithms handle the buying and selling
- Daily pricing: Fund shares get valued every trading day
- Automatic reinvestment: Dividends and interest go back into the fund
- Tax efficiency: No capital gains taxes on trades inside the 3a wrapper (nice)
The Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office regulates 3a products, making sure funds meet diversification and risk requirements.
Active vs passive: the one thing that really matters
This choice affects your costs and returns more than almost anything else.
Passive index funds
Passive funds track market indices (like MSCI World or SPI) without trying to beat them. They just buy and hold what's in the index.
Why passive wins:
- Cheaper (usually 0.39% to 0.55% TER)
- Predictable performance versus the benchmark
- No manager screwing up with bad calls
- Transparent strategy
- Backed by decades of research showing it works
Active funds
Active funds pay managers to try beating the market through stock picking and timing.
The reality:
- More expensive (0.80% to 1.50% TER)
- Might beat the market, might not
- Manager skill (or luck) determines outcomes
- Less predictable
Here's what the data actually shows: Over 10-15 years, 80-90% of active funds underperform their benchmarks after fees. The few that do outperform? Nearly impossible to spot in advance. This is why I (and most evidence-based investors) stick with passive index funds for retirement money.
Why TER (fees) will make or break you
TER is your annual cost for owning a fund. It's a percentage that includes management fees, custody, admin stuff, trading costs. Everything.
What you'll see in 2026:
- Low-cost digital providers: 0.39% to 0.49% (Finpension, VIAC)
- Mid-range: 0.50% to 0.75% (frankly, some banks)
- Traditional banks/insurers: 0.80% to 1.50%
The damage over time:
CHF 7,056 yearly contributions for 30 years at 5% average returns:
- At 0.39% TER: You end up with about CHF 470,000
- At 1.20% TER: You end up with about CHF 390,000
- Difference: CHF 80,000 gone to fees
This isn't theoretical. These are real costs of picking expensive funds. Every 0.1% in fees works against you compounding every year for decades.
Picking your stock allocation (and why it matters)
Funds offer different equity levels from 0% to 99% stocks. More stocks = more bounce, but better long-term returns.
Conservative (0-35% stocks)
For people 5-10 years from retirement or who can't handle volatility. Capital preservation over growth. Expect 2-4% yearly returns.
Balanced (35-65% stocks)
Middle ground. Popular with folks unsure about risk or wanting moderate exposure. Expect 4-5% yearly.
Growth (65-85% stocks)
Higher growth for 15+ year horizons if you can stomach volatility. Expect 5-7% yearly.
Maximum equity (85-99% stocks)
Highest expected returns for young investors with 25+ years out. These crash hard during market drops but historically win long-term. Expect 6-8% yearly.
What I do: With 20+ years until retirement, I'm all-in on maximum equity funds. Short-term drops don't matter when I can't touch the money for decades anyway. The math clearly favors accepting volatility for higher returns.
What else actually matters when comparing funds
Performance history
Past performance doesn't guarantee future returns, but 3-5 years of data shows if a fund does what it claims.
What to check:
- How it compares to benchmark indices
- Net returns after fees (the only number that counts)
- Consistency across different markets
- For passive funds: tracking error (how well it follows the index)
Don't get excited about one good year. Look for consistency. Passive funds should match their benchmarks. Active funds better have a good explanation for any outperformance.
Features and flexibility
Beyond costs and returns:
- Equity options: Can you go 99% stocks or stuck at 80%?
- ESG/sustainable options: If that matters to you
- Currency hedging: Some hedge foreign exposure (adds cost, questionable benefit)
- Rebalancing: Automatic or manual
- Digital experience: How good is the app?
- Multiple accounts: Can you open several? (Important for tax-smart withdrawals)
Provider stability
You're trusting these people for decades:
- Financial backing
- How long they've run 3a products
- FINMA oversight and compliance
- Assets under management
- Service quality
Newer digital providers (Finpension, VIAC) have shorter track records but solid backing and regulation. Traditional banks have longer histories but charge way more.
Investment funds vs savings accounts: which one?
For long-term money, the math is clear. Emotionally? Some people struggle with it.
Go with investment funds if:
- You have 10+ years until retirement
- You get that short-term losses are normal and temporary
- You want maximum growth potential
- You won't obsessively check your balance during crashes
Stick with savings if:
- You're 5-10 years from retirement
- Market drops genuinely stress you out
- You might panic-sell during downturns (this destroys returns)
Check our 3a savings account comparison for the conservative route. Tons of people split between both.
The mistakes everyone makes with 3a funds
Mistake 1: Just using your bank's fund
Traditional banks charge 2-3x what digital providers do for basically the same passive index exposure. Your "convenience" is costing you CHF 50,000+ over your lifetime. Opening a low-cost account takes 15 minutes.
Mistake 2: Low equity when you're young
A 25-year-old picking "balanced" 50% stocks instead of 99% is sacrificing massive returns. With 35+ years until retirement, short-term volatility is totally irrelevant. High equity is mathematically optimal for long horizons.
Mistake 3: Trying to time the market
Waiting for "better entry points" or selling during crashes planning to buy back lower? Almost never works. Time in the market beats timing the market. Contribute consistently no matter what's happening.
Mistake 4: Chasing past performance, ignoring fees
A fund that returned 12% last year at 1.2% TER isn't better than one returning 11% at 0.4%. Past performance rarely repeats, but fees are forever. Focus on what you control: costs.
Mistake 5: Not opening multiple accounts
Switzerland taxes 3a withdrawals separately but progressively. Multiple smaller accounts over several years = lower taxes per withdrawal. Open 3-5 accounts during your career, withdraw one yearly at retirement.
How much stock exposure for your age?
General guidelines based on years until retirement:
- 25+ years: 95-99% stocks
- 20-25 years: 85-95% stocks
- 15-20 years: 75-85% stocks
- 10-15 years: 60-75% stocks
- 5-10 years: 40-60% stocks
- Under 5 years: Maybe shift to savings accounts
These are starting points, not rules. Your risk tolerance, other assets, and situation matter. Someone with a stable government job and paid-off house can handle more risk than someone self-employed with variable income.
Most low-cost providers let you adjust equity over time as you near retirement. Start aggressive, dial it down gradually.
Why global diversification matters
Good 3a funds invest globally, not just Swiss stocks. Switzerland is under 3% of global market cap. Concentrating here means missing most of the world's growth.
Typical allocation in diversified equity funds:
- 50-60% developed markets (US, Europe, Japan)
- 5-15% emerging markets
- 10-20% Switzerland (slight home bias)
- Rest in smaller markets
Currency exposure to USD and EUR comes naturally with global diversification. Some providers offer hedged versions, but hedging costs money and hurts long-term returns. Over decades, currency swings average out anyway.
What I actually do with my own 3a
After analyzing dozens of options and running my own 3a for years, here's my actual setup:
- Maximum equity (99% stocks) because I've got 20+ years
- Lowest-cost passive funds with TER under 0.45%
- Global diversification with minimal Swiss home bias
- Multiple accounts (three now, planning for five by retirement)
- Automatic monthly contributions set up right after opening
- Never checking balances during crashes
This isn't exciting. No clever strategy or special insight. Just well-established principles: minimize costs, maximize time in market, diversify globally, avoid emotional decisions.
The Federal Tax Administration has detailed guidance on 3a taxation that shaped my withdrawal planning.
How we compare these funds
We focus on what impacts your long-term returns:
Cost analysis
We calculate total costs: TER, account fees, hidden charges. All-in costs show true expense differences.
Performance tracking
We track net returns after fees versus benchmarks. Both absolute and risk-adjusted performance across market cycles.
Strategy review
Investment philosophy, index selection for passive funds, consistency of approach.
Provider evaluation
Financial stability, regulatory compliance, digital experience, customer service.
For all your 3a options, see our complete pillar 3a comparison.
Questions everyone asks
What's the best pillar 3a investment fund in Switzerland?
The best fund combines low fees (under 0.45% TER), high equity for long-term folks, global diversification, and a solid provider. Finpension and VIAC lead for their combo of low costs and quality passive strategies. Compare current offerings in the table above.
What do 3a investment funds typically cost?
Fees range from 0.39% to 1.50% TER yearly. Low-cost digital providers charge 0.39-0.49%. Traditional banks hit you for 0.80-1.50%. Over 30 years, that spread can exceed CHF 80,000 on standard contributions.
Active or passive funds?
Passive index funds for retirement. Research consistently shows 80-90% of active funds underperform benchmarks after fees over 10-15 years. Passive = lower costs, predictable results, better long-term performance for most people.
What stock allocation should I pick?
Base it on years until retirement. 20+ years? Consider 85-99% stocks. 10-20 years? 60-85% makes sense. Under 10 years? Think about 40-60% or partially switching to savings. More stocks = more bounce, but better expected long-term gains.
Can I switch between funds?
Yes, most providers let you switch funds without fees or taxes. You can adjust equity as you age or if your risk tolerance changes. Switching providers means transferring your account (2-4 weeks, should be free).
How do funds compare to savings accounts?
Investment funds historically return 4-7% yearly long-term versus 0.5-1.5% for savings. Over 30 years, that compounds to hundreds of thousands of francs difference. But funds carry short-term volatility that savings don't. Funds for long horizons, savings for shorter periods or low risk tolerance.
What's TER and why should I care?
TER (Total Expense Ratio) is your annual cost as a percentage. Includes all management, custody, admin fees. It matters because it compounds against you every year. A 0.8% TER difference over 30 years? CHF 50,000+ gone.
Can I have multiple investment fund accounts?
Yes, multiple accounts are smart for tax optimization. Withdrawing from separate smaller accounts over multiple years keeps each in a lower tax bracket. Most people want 3-5 accounts by retirement.
