Four solutions
for Pillar 3.

Different policies for different goals – each on its own, or combined sensibly.

Swiss Pillar 3 with the App & Customer Portal from Liechtenstein Life

Pillar 3a or 3b. What fits you.

In short: 3a maximises tax savings, 3b maximises flexibility. In practice both complement each other, and often the right answer is a combination.

Pillar 3a
Maximum tax savings.
  • Contributions deductible from taxable income
  • Maximum contribution 2026: CHF 7'258 with CHF 36'288 without a pension fund
  • Capital access from 5 years before reaching AHV age
Pillar 3b
Design your own way.
  • No contribution limit
  • Freely designed beneficiary structure
  • Flexible capital access and adjustable savings rate
  • Useful once the 3a maximum is exhausted
Pillar 3b
For your loved ones.
  • Provision for partner, children or grandchildren
  • Early wealth building for children or grandchildren
  • Useful when saving for or insuring a loved one

Combine 3a and 3b freely.

Pillar 3a and Pillar 3b combine freely: for yourself, for your partner and for your children. Your intermediary finds the right split for your income, life phase and tax situation.

Pillar 3a in particular is governed by OPP 3 (SR 831.461.3); for both pillars the cantonal tax laws also apply. This information is general; the specific tax consequences depend on your canton of residence and personal situation. It does not replace tax or legal advice.

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The four pension policies in direct comparison.

Target group, tax privileges, payout, risk protection and beneficiary designation at a glance.¹

Comparison of the four Prosperity Pillar 3 policies: Prosperity 3a (Pillar 3a) and Prosperity Plus, Duo and Junior (Pillar 3b).

Target group
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
Employed people who want to build provision and save on tax
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
Individuals who want to save flexibly or supplement their Pillar 3a
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
Individuals who want to provide for someone close to them
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
Individuals who want to provide for a child close to them
Tax privileges
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
Premiums deductible (statutory maximum amount); payout taxable
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
Premiums not deductible; payout tax-free (when the statutory requirement is met)
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
Premiums not deductible; payout tax-free (when the statutory requirement is met)
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
Premiums not deductible; payout tax-free (when the statutory requirement is met)
Payout form at the end of the insurance term
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
Capital benefit (lump-sum payout) or lifelong annuity
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
Capital benefit (lump-sum payout)
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
Capital benefit (lump-sum payout)
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
Capital benefit (lump-sum payout)
Early capital withdrawal
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
Only in legally permitted cases, e.g. home ownership and emigration²
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
Possible; optional payout plan
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
Possible; optional payout plan
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
Possible; optional payout plan
Premiums
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
Periodic: from CHF 1'200 p.a.; single: from CHF 5'000
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
Periodic: from CHF 1'200 p.a.; single: from CHF 10'000
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
Periodic: from CHF 1'200 p.a.
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
Periodic: from CHF 1'200 p.a.
Additional payments
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
From CHF 50
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
From CHF 500
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
From CHF 500
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
From CHF 500
Risk protectionCover in the event of death and incapacity to work.
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
Death cover or premium waiver in the event of incapacity to work mandatory (both also possible); incapacity annuity optional³
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
Death cover or premium waiver in the event of incapacity to work mandatory (both also possible); incapacity annuity optional³
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
Death cover mandatory (premium waiver on death of the provider); premium waiver on incapacity to work of the provider optional; annuity on incapacity to work of the person close to you optional³
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
Death cover mandatory (premium waiver on death of the provider); premium waiver on incapacity to work of the provider optional; annuity on incapacity to work of the child close to you optional³
Beneficiary designation
Prosperity 3aPillar 3a
On survival: policyholder; on death: statutory order⁴
Prosperity PlusPillar 3b
Freely determinable
Prosperity DuoPillar 3b
The person close to you
Prosperity JuniorPillar 3b
The child close to you
Applies to all:
Optional premium guarantee (50 %, 80 % or 100 %)Premium break up to 24 months (repeatable)Up to 10 funds or ETFs selectable in parallel12 free fund switches per year

¹ This table is a simplified overview; the tariff documents and the General Insurance Conditions (AVB) of Liechtenstein Life Assurance AG prevail. As of 2026. The specific design of your policy depends on tariff, term and personal situation. The value of your investment can fluctuate; a total loss of the paid-in premiums is possible. Tax treatment in Pillar 3b depends on canton and situation; we recommend individual tax advice.

² The early payment of the retirement benefit is governed by OPP 3 Art. 3 ("Payment of benefits").

³ Incapacity to work: premium waiver and an annuity in the event of incapacity to work can only be selected with periodic premium payments.

⁴ For the beneficiary designation of Pillar 3a, OPP 3 Art. 2 ("Beneficiaries") applies in particular.

Why capital markets? Because patience pays off.

A fund-linked Pillar 3a invests your premiums in global capital markets rather than letting them sit in a savings account. Over long horizons those markets have protected wealth against inflation and generated returns. Volatility is part of investing, not a reason to exit. Historically, investors who stay the course are rewarded. The value of your investment may fluctuate; past performance is not an indicator of future results.

Frequently asked questions about Pillar 3.

With a fund-linked 3a policy, you invest in funds and ETFs instead of an interest-bearing bank balance. This creates long-term return opportunities, but at the same time you also bear the risk of negative price movements.

Prosperity 3a is moreover not a pure savings solution but an insurance policy. It combines wealth accumulation with risk protection: on signing you choose either death cover or premium waiver in the event of incapacity to work (the latter only with periodic premiums); both together is also possible. Optionally selectable are annuity payment in the event of incapacity to work, premium guarantee (50 %, 80 % or 100 %), automatic lifecycle management and rebalancing.

The value of your investment can fluctuate; past performance is not an indicator of future results. A cancellation deduction applies on early surrender. The exact conditions are set out in the General Insurance Conditions, which we provide before the contract is concluded.

Pillar 3a provides for an early withdrawal in certain life situations, e.g.:

  • Emigration: On permanently leaving Switzerland, a surrender of the policy is possible. You are obliged to report a change of residence within 30 days. The tax treatment of the withdrawal differs between EU/EFTA and third countries.
  • Self-employment: On taking up full-time self-employed activity and discontinuing mandatory occupational provision, a surrender is permitted. The written consent of your spouse or registered partner is required.
  • Home ownership purchase: A full advance withdrawal or a partial surrender every five years is possible for owner-occupied residential property. With the privileged advance withdrawal, the cancellation deduction is waived and the loyalty fund is paid out in full. Here too, the written consent of your spouse or registered partner is required. In the case of a partial surrender, the remaining value of the investment assets must amount to at least CHF 500.

Pillar 3a is governed in particular by the Ordinance on the Tax Deductibility of Contributions to Recognised Pension Schemes (OPP 3) as well as the cantonal tax laws. For the specific assessment of your situation, we recommend consulting a tax adviser or a lawyer.

You can in principle have your existing 3a balance transferred into a Prosperity 3a policy. A direct transfer from one recognised 3a solution to another does not count as a payout and as a rule triggers no income tax. The transferred legacy amount itself is not a new deductible premium. You do, however, keep the deductibility of the premiums paid in the current year, up to the maximum amount.

Additionally: Premium gaps from previous years (from tax year 2025) can be made up through retrospective buy-ins.

How the switch works: Your intermediary guides the switch and coordinates the next steps with your previous provider. Usually the details of the existing 3a solution and a signed transfer or dissolution declaration are required for this. A switch ideally before year-end secures the tax advantage for the current year.

What you should know for context: When switching to the insurance policy, a risk assessment is carried out which can result in risk surcharges or coverage exclusions. If you choose the Premium Guarantee Select, a minimum insurance term of 20 years (Select 50/80) or 30 years (Select 100) applies.

How to find the right solution.

01
Clarify your needsYour intermediary clarifies your situation with you: tax efficiency, flexibility or protection for a second person. Don't have an intermediary yet? Book a free, no-obligation conversation.
02
Choose the solutionTogether you decide on the right policy, on its own or as a 3a/3b combination.
03
Conclude digitallySign the policy digitally, track it in the app, adjust it whenever you need to.
Intermediary discussing the right pension policy with a client

Build wealth beyond retirement provision.