findependent Global 40

Stocks, bonds, Swiss real estate, gold and cash in one 40% equity 3a, for 0.29% all-in.

findependent Global 40 ranks #21 of 109 3a investment funds, ahead of frankly Moderate 45 Responsible (#26), VIAC Global 40 (#30) and finpension Global 40 (#43). The score uses findependent's back-test with the same bands as every other fund, because the 3a launched on 19 October 2026. It's for moderate savers who want global stocks plus a broad defensive mix.

Why Do Fees Matter More at 40%?

Yes, and at this risk level fees matter more, because expected returns are lower. You pay 0.29% all-in. finpension Global 40 charges 0.39% and frankly 0.44% plus fund costs. On CHF 20,000, that's CHF 58 a year at findependent against CHF 78 at finpension, and the gap grows with your balance.

findependent's back-test shows +25.9% over five years and +71.4% over ten, after all costs, with a simulated worst year of -18.5% in 2008. It's a reasonable picture of how this mix behaves. Just remember it's a simulation from index data, not a record anyone lived through with real money.

What Actually Stands Out

The defensive half is unusually varied: 44% bonds, 10% Swiss real estate and 5% gold, plus 1% cash. Gold and real estate don't always move with bonds, and in findependent's back-test they helped the cautious strategies a lot in 2024. Only 10% of the equities are Swiss, so the growth engine is global, with the US as the biggest market.

You can start with CHF 1 and run up to five 3a portfolios, each with its own strategy, at no extra cost. Strategy changes are free, so stepping down to Global 20 later costs nothing. The full fund breakdown sits on findependent's 3a page.

What Most Reviews Miss

Of the 44% in bonds, 2.2% is emerging market debt in unhedged USD. It's a small slice, but it's the only part of the bond sleeve that moves with the dollar. Combined with a US-heavy equity side, a cautious-looking 3a carries more currency risk than the 40% label suggests.

Also, don't pick Global 40 for its rank alone. It ties Standard 60 at 78.89%, a strategy with 20 more points of equity, because our performance bands reward returns, and both back-tests landed in the same bands. Choose your equity level first, then the provider.

The Bottom Line

Global 40 is a well-diversified moderate 3a at a fee its direct peers don't match, ranked on a simulated record for now. If you're unsure whether to invest your 3a at all, our guide on 3a savings account vs investing helps you decide.

Verdict: A cheap, broadly diversified moderate 3a with a gold and real estate cushion, ranked on a back-test until real data arrives.