What is the 3rd pillar?
1. Pillar 3a (tied pension provision): primarily intended for retirement, it offers significant tax advantages by allowing contributions to be deducted from taxable income. For 2025, the maximum amount deductible is CHF 7’258 for employees affiliated with a pension fund. In return, the capital remains locked in until retirement, except under specific conditions (home purchase, moving abroad, starting self-employment).
1. Pillar 3a (tied pension provision): mainly intended for retirement provision, it offers significant tax advantages but imposes certain withdrawal conditions. Amounts paid in are tax-deductible up to the statutory limits (CHF 7,258 for employees affiliated to a pension fund in 2026).
2. Pillar 3b (unrestricted pension provision): more flexible, allowing more flexible use of accumulated savings. UBS offers a wide range of products, including investment plans, mutual fund accounts, securities custody accounts and term deposits.
3rd Pillar A solutions from Descartes
Descartes proposes a flexible and transparent pillar 3a which enables customers to save while investing, with the aim of supplementing their retirement provision. This is pure savings, with no built-in risk hedging, and returns are dependent on the financial markets.
Flexibility and access:
- Payments from CHF 10: no minimum deposit required.
- Stop payments at any time: management remains entirely under the customer's control.
- Easy transfer: assets can be transferred from other 3a accounts or vested benefits accounts.
- Two types of investment: active or passive management.
Stock models and quotas
Descartes offers several investment models to suit different risk profiles, with share quotas ranging from 20 % to 100 %. Portfolios include Swiss and international equities, bonds, real estate funds, gold, and for certain optimized profiles, a strategic allocation to the bitcoin.
- Possible strategies (% actions)
-
Total expenses (incl. TER)
passive strategy
-
Total expenses (incl. TER)
active strategy
Low (20%)
Moderate (40%)
Medium (60%)
High (80%)
Very high (99%)
0.67% per year
0.66% per year
0.65% per year
0.67% per year
0.64% per year
0.64% per year
0.67% per year
0.70% per year
0.73% per year
0.76% per year
Descartes portfolios
Actively managed portfolios may contain between 20 % and 100 % of equities, depending on the chosen risk profile. The remainder of the portfolio may be invested in bonds, cash and alternative investments to diversify and stabilize returns.
These portfolios mainly use Swisscanto funds, with a significant allocation to Swiss equities, often in the medium or majority. Most of the funds selected are responsible, respecting environmental, social and governance criteria.
Examples of funds used:
- Swisscanto (CH) Index Equity Fund World (ex CH) Responsible FA CHF
- Swisscanto (CH) Index Equity Fund Switzerland Total Responsible FA CHF
- Swisscanto (CH) Index Equity Fund MSCI® World ex Switzerland FTH1 CHF
25 CHF
available
Offer when opening your 3a at Descartes
Historical performance
For the passive model with 100 % shares, the average annual yield over the past ten years has varied: for example, +26.39 % in 2019, -16.68 % in 2022, and +11.07 % in 2025. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
Additional costs
If you withdraw your pension funds under certain conditions (early retirement, emigration, home purchase), the foundation may apply certain fixed fees.
Investment fees depend on the type of solution chosen: simple accounts or securities portfolios, with transparent administrative and transaction fees. Contractual partners and distributors may receive an issuing commission, deducted directly from the account.
Descartes' 3a pillar highlights
- Maximum flexibility: payments from CHF 10, can be stopped or resumed at any time.
- Intelligent diversification: Swiss and international equities, bonds, real estate, gold, and even Bitcoin in certain active models.
- Clear, competitive charges: no hidden fees, all commissions and costs are published.
- Quick, easy opening: account opened automatically via Lienhardt & Partner Privatbank Zurich.
- Possibility ofonline subscription without any appointment
Weaknesses of the 3a pillar in Descartes
- No protection against market risk: the value of your portfolio may vary according to market conditions.
- Capital not guaranteed: unlike a provident savings solution, you can lose out in the event of a market downturn.
Conclusion
Frequently asked questions
- Assets : dynamic allocation, up to 100 % in equities, including bonds, real estate and gold.
- Liabilities : follows Swisscanto indices to replicate the markets, with a stable allocation between equities, bonds and other assets.
- Minimum amount : CHF 10 per payment.
- Flexibility : you can stop or resume payments at any time.
- Maximum amounts : set by Swiss law, depending on whether you are employed or self-employed.
No. Descartes' Pillar 3a is pure savings, invested in securities and funds. The value may fluctuate with the markets.
Historically, equity investments have delivered higher long-term returns than so-called “safe” assets such as bonds or savings accounts. If you have more than 15 to 20 years before retirement, allocating a portion to equities is often recommended to generate stronger returns.
The key is to adjust the allocation to your risk profile and gradually reduce the equity portion as you approach retirement.
To open a 3a account with Descartes, you must:
- Completing the risk profile
- Choosing a portfolio and stock allocation
- Provide personal information and digital identification
- Sign electronically (QES signature)
The account is opened automatically via Lienhardt & Partner Privatbank Zurich, and you will immediately receive your IBAN.
