findependent Switzerland 20

Twenty percent stocks, mostly Swiss, and a cushion made of franc bonds, real estate and gold.

findependent Switzerland 20 ranks #36 of 109 3a investment funds, ahead of frankly Gentle 25 Responsible (#42) and VIAC Global 20 (#47), though VIAC is cheaper. Its performance points come from a back-test, as findependent's 3a only went live on 19 October 2026. It's the most home-focused cautious strategy findependent offers.

What Are You Actually Paying For?

You pay 0.29% all-in, lower than frankly's 0.44% plus fund costs and finpension's 0.39%. VIAC Global 20 is cheaper at 0.22% including fund costs. On CHF 40,000, that's CHF 116 a year here and CHF 88 at VIAC, so CHF 28 a year for findependent's structure and franc-heavy mix.

On returns, findependent's back-test shows +17.0% over five years and +38.9% over ten, after all costs, and +4.5% over the past year. In a cautious strategy, the fee eats a bigger share of what you earn, so the certain number, the cost, deserves more weight than the simulated one.

What Actually Stands Out

This is findependent's most conservative Swiss option: 59% Swiss franc bonds, 10% Swiss real estate, 10% gold, 1% cash and 20% stocks, 80% of them Swiss. There's no emerging market USD slice. If you want a cautious 3a with your bonds and most of your stocks in francs, this is it.

You can split your 3a across up to five portfolios at findependent, each with its own strategy, at no extra cost. That's useful near retirement: one portfolio in Switzerland 20, others still in growth, withdrawn in different years to cut tax. The Federal Social Insurance Office sets the 3a rules behind this.

What Most Reviews Miss

The back-test's worst year was 2022, at -9.1%, when bond prices fell as rates rose. With 59% in bonds, that's the main risk here, not a stock crash. A cautious label doesn't mean you can't lose money in a single year.

There's no 3a savings account at findependent, so you can't move the last stretch into cash with the same provider. And early withdrawal to go self-employed is charged per findependent's fee schedule, with no published amount. If you're close to retirement and also planning to start a business, ask first.

The Bottom Line

Switzerland 20 is a sensible de-risking building block for Swiss-focused savers, but not the cheapest cautious 3a. It earns its place when you pair it with growth portfolios, not as your only 3a. For options where your capital doesn't move at all, see the best 3a savings accounts in Switzerland.

Verdict: A franc-heavy cautious 3a with a diversified cushion, best used as one portfolio among several as retirement nears.