Our Take on PF Pension ESG 75 Fund
CHF 709 million and a 1.25% TER. PostFinance's balanced ESG fund is popular, but pricey.
PF Pension ESG 75 Fund ranks #22 among 67 3a investment funds in Switzerland. With 75% equities and 15% bonds, it's PostFinance's growth-oriented balanced option. The CHF 709 million in assets proves market demand, but the 1.25% TER makes it one of the most expensive balanced funds available. Popularity doesn't always mean best value.
Are the Fees Worth It?
At 1.25% TER, you're paying roughly three times what digital competitors charge for similar allocations. frankly Strong 75 Index costs 0.44% total. VIAC Global 80 costs 0.42%. On a CHF 50,000 portfolio, that's CHF 625 per year versus CHF 210-220. The difference of CHF 400+ annually compounds into serious money over decades.
The five-year return of +36.82% is decent for a 75/15 equity/bond split. But cheaper passive alternatives with similar allocations delivered comparable or better results. The active ESG management hasn't generated enough alpha to compensate for the higher fee. That's the core issue with this fund.
What Actually Stands Out
Scale and stability are the genuine strengths here. CHF 709 million makes this one of the largest 3a balanced funds. Large funds benefit from better execution, lower trading costs, and virtually zero risk of fund closure. Swing pricing adds another protective layer during volatile markets.
PostFinance's ESG screening, managed in partnership with Swisscanto, integrates environmental, social, and governance criteria across the full portfolio. For investors who want responsible investing from a household-name institution with physical branches across Switzerland, the convenience and trust factor are real.
What Most Reviews Miss
The three-year return of +33.82% looks reasonable until you compare it to LUKB Expert-Vorsorge 75 at +38.29% (with a 0.80% TER) or frankly Strong 75 Index at similar returns for 0.44% total. PostFinance's active approach and higher fees haven't translated into superior performance. You're effectively paying a premium for the PostFinance brand and branch access.
Also worth noting: PostFinance offers no allocation flexibility. You get 75/15 and that's it. If you want to dial up or down, your only option is to switch to a different PF Pension fund entirely. Digital competitors let you fine-tune within your strategy, giving you more control over your risk exposure as circumstances change.
The Bottom Line
PF Pension ESG 75 is a perfectly functional balanced ESG fund from a trusted Swiss institution. It works. But the 1.25% TER is a heavy anchor when cheaper options deliver similar or better returns. If you bank with PostFinance and value simplicity, it's an acceptable choice. For everyone else, compare the full market in our guide to best Pillar 3a products in Switzerland.
Verdict: A reliable ESG balanced fund for PostFinance loyalists, but the fee gap versus digital competitors is hard to ignore.
Pros
- Strong 5-year performance (+36.8%)
- No custody fee
- Large fund size (stable)
- Swing pricing protection
Cons
- Higher total costs (1.25% p.a.)
- Active management = higher fees
Product Details
At a Glance
- 75% stocks allocation
- TER: 1.25%
- Swing pricing protection
- Actively managed
- No custody fee
Fund Details & Allocation
Fund Details & Allocation
Asset Allocation
Stocks
75%
Bonds
15%
Real Estate
10%
Investment Strategy
Actively-managed fund
Fund Size
CHF 709M
Depositary Bank
UBS
Swing Pricing
Yes
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
TER
1.25%
Custody Fee
Free
Performance Over Time
Historical performance of this investment fund. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
1 Year
+6.9%
3 Years
+33.8%
5 Years
+36.8%
Retirement Projection
Based on max. contribution of CHF 7’258/year, age 30 to 65 (35 years), starting from CHF 0.
Compare to Similar Products
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the maximum annual Pillar 3a contribution?
- For employees with a pension fund, the maximum is CHF 7,258 per year (2025). Self-employed without a pension fund can contribute up to 20% of net income, max CHF 35,288. These amounts are fully tax-deductible.
- What are the tax benefits of this Pillar 3a product?
- Contributions to PF Pension ESG 75 Fund are fully deductible from your taxable income. Interest and returns grow tax-free. You only pay tax at a reduced rate when you withdraw at retirement.
- Can I transfer to PF Pension ESG 75 Fund from another provider?
- Yes, you can transfer your 3a balance to PF Pension ESG 75 Fund at any time without tax consequences, and PostFinance charges no transfer or closure fee.
- Should I choose a savings account or investment fund for my 3a?
- Savings accounts offer guaranteed returns with zero risk — ideal if you're close to retirement. Investment funds provide higher growth potential but with market risk — ideal for 10+ year horizons. Many Swiss residents split their contributions between both.
- Is the performance of PF Pension ESG 75 Fund guaranteed?
- No, investment fund returns are not guaranteed. Past performance of +36.8% over 5 years does not guarantee future results. Your capital can fluctuate with markets.
How We Rated This Product
PF Pension ESG 75 Fund was evaluated as a product using our weighted scoring system.
Ratings are updated monthly based on the latest available data. All products are evaluated using the same methodology.
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