You have your goal.
Now the path to it.
Tax-efficiently build wealth, shape your retirement, pass it on to the next generation. Fund-linked solutions from Liechtenstein that start where you are today.
Comprehensive provision is built from several building blocks
Invest, Pension and Wealth cover wealth building, tax benefits and succession. The state subsidy simply comes on top, via the Altersvorsorgedepot as the basis. The advantage of combining: more support, more flexibility, more for you.
Liechtenstein Life Invest
Invest in funds and grow tax-efficiently, with no annual capital-gains tax or advance lump-sum tax during the accumulation phase.
The future funded basis of your provision, the Riester successor. Freely combinable with Invest, Pension and Wealth. Funded contributions up to €1,800/year, basic allowance up to €540/year.
Which solution fits you?
Independent intermediaries from our network inform you personally about all solutions. Free of charge, without obligation and without product ties.
Fund-linked insurances compared directly
All three are fund-linked insurances. What sets them apart: state support, contribution form and payout options.
| Feature | BasisrenteLiechtenstein Life PensionDetails | Wealth buildingLiechtenstein Life InvestDetails | Wealth & successionLiechtenstein Life WealthDetails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of insurance | Basisrente (Rürup) | Private pension insurance | Life insurance |
| State support | Yes, contributions deductible up to the annual maximum | No | No |
| Ongoing contributions | From €1,200/year (e.g. €100/month) | From €1,200/year (e.g. €100/month) | From €2,000/year (e.g. around €167/month) |
| Single payment | From €10,000 | From €10,000 | From €20,000 |
| Top-up | From €100 | From €100 | From €1,000 |
| Tax on survival benefit | Deferred taxation (annuity) | Lump sum: Halbeinkünfteverfahren (12/62). Annuity: Ertragsanteilbesteuerung | Halbeinkünfteverfahren on lump-sum payout (12/62) |
| Tax on death benefit | Paid to survivors as an annuity, partially subject to income tax | Paid to beneficiaries free of income tax* | Paid to beneficiaries free of income tax* |
| Payout form | Lifelong annuity | Annuity or lump sum | Lump-sum payout |
| Capital withdrawal possible | No | Yes, flexible | Yes, flexible |
| Target group | Self-employed, freelancers, high earners | Investors and high earners | Affluent individuals, entrepreneurs, high earners |
This table is a simplified overview; the tariff documents and the General Insurance Conditions (AVB) of Liechtenstein Life Assurance AG are decisive. The specific terms of your policy depend on tariff, term and personal circumstances. The value of your investment can fluctuate; a total loss of the contributions paid in is possible. This is general information and not a substitute for tax advice.
* Refers to income tax: no income tax is due on the death benefit. Depending on the contractual setup (policyholder, insured person, beneficiary), inheritance or gift tax may apply.
Fund-linked insurance vs. fund and ETF brokerage account
Both routes invest in funds. The difference lies in tax law. Over 20 to 30 years that makes a measurable difference.
No Vorabpauschale
A fund-linked insurance has no Vorabpauschale (advance lump-sum tax) during the accumulation phase. With a fund or ETF brokerage account this annual minimum tax on fund gains is due even without a sale.
Tax-neutral fund switching
Switch (changing the fund selection for future contributions) and shift (reallocating existing fund assets) are tax-neutral. In a direct brokerage account, every sale is a taxable event.
Tax advantages
With private, non-subsidised life and pension insurances, the Halbeinkünfteverfahren (12/62 rule) applies on lump-sum payout: only 50 % of the gain is taxable. On annuity payout, the Ertragsanteilbesteuerung applies. With the Basisrente, contributions are deductible up to the annual maximum and the annuity is taxed on a deferred basis.
Segregated asset management
Your fund assets form a segregated estate (Sondermasse) under Liechtenstein law and are held separately from the insurer's assets. Thanks to this separation, your right of access to the invested capital remains in place regardless of the insurer's economic situation.
Why the capital markets? Because patience pays off.
Seize your opportunity: well-considered investment in the global economy is worthwhile, and the evidence backs it. Equity-market investments can effectively protect your wealth from the erosion of inflation and generate returns instead. See for yourself how contributions, time and compounding can add up. The value of your investment can fluctuate; past performance is not an indicator of future results.
Three steps to more financial freedom.
Frequently asked questions about fund-linked insurance
It depends on your goal. For retirement with state support, Liechtenstein Life Pension (Basisrente/Rürup) is ideal, especially for the self-employed and high earners (§ 10 (1) no. 2 EStG). For wealth building and succession planning: Liechtenstein Life Invest and Liechtenstein Life Wealth. An independent intermediary can guide your choice.
The Basisrente (Rürup) such as Liechtenstein Life Pension is state-subsidised. Contributions are deductible as special expenses up to the annual maximum (§ 10 (1) no. 2 EStG). The payout is exclusively a lifelong annuity with deferred taxation – a lump-sum payout is not possible. Private fund-linked pension insurances such as Liechtenstein Life Invest offer the choice between annuity and lump-sum payout: on lump sum the Halbeinkünfteverfahren (12/62 rule) applies, on annuity the favourable Ertragsanteilbesteuerung.
The fund-linked insurance is more tax-efficient over the long term. No Vorabpauschale, no Abgeltungsteuer on fund switches. Because gains are not taxed during the accumulation phase, you benefit from the full compounding effect on the entire capital. For private, non-subsidised contracts, the Halbeinkünfteverfahren applies on lump-sum payout after 12 years and from age 62, and the favourable Ertragsanteilbesteuerung on annuity payout. For the Basisrente, deferred taxation applies instead. In a direct brokerage account, gains and reallocations are taxed immediately (25 % Abgeltungsteuer + solidarity surcharge + church tax where applicable), which erodes compounding every year. In addition, only an insurance can pay out capital as a lifelong annuity and hedge longevity risk. Death benefit and, depending on the product, disability cover can be integrated directly into the contract. Product costs apply in return. Withdrawal flexibility depends on the product: Liechtenstein Life Invest and Liechtenstein Life Wealth allow flexible capital withdrawals, while the Basisrente (Liechtenstein Life Pension) is designed for a lifelong annuity as state-subsidised retirement provision.
The Halbeinkünfteverfahren (§ 20 (1) no. 6 EStG) applies on lump-sum payout from fund-linked life and pension insurances with at least 12 years' term and payout from age 62. Only half of the gain is then taxed at your personal income tax rate. If the 12/62 conditions are not met, regular taxation applies (25 % Abgeltungsteuer + solidarity surcharge + church tax where applicable). Those who choose an annuity payout from a private, non-subsidised contract benefit from the Ertragsanteilbesteuerung: only a small, age-dependent share of the annuity is taxable (e.g. 17 % at retirement age 67). Liechtenstein Life Invest offers both payout forms. Liechtenstein Life Wealth provides lump-sum payout only, Liechtenstein Life Pension a lifelong annuity only, taxed on a deferred basis.
Yes. Switch (changing the fund selection for future contributions) and shift (reallocating existing fund assets) are tax-neutral across all Liechtenstein Life insurance solutions. No fund switch triggers Abgeltungsteuer, unlike a direct brokerage account. The number of free switches per year varies by product. See the respective product terms. More on the available funds on the fund overview.
Liechtenstein Life is based in Liechtenstein and supervised by the Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein (FMA). Liechtenstein is an EEA member with a Standard & Poor's AAA rating and no national debt. Your fund assets form a segregated estate (Sondermasse) under Liechtenstein law and are held separately from the insurer's assets. More about the company on the about-us page.
More solutions at Liechtenstein Life.
Flexible private pension provision as a complement to Invest, Pension and Wealth.
Flexible private pension provision: contribute from €50/month, choose funds freely and optionally add disability cover. Single payments are also possible.
Note: This presentation is for general information purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. All products shown are fund-linked – the value of fund investments can rise or fall, a capital loss is possible. The tax treatment requires the statutory conditions to be met (in particular a 12-year minimum term and payout from age 62, § 20 (1) no. 6 EStG). Product costs and restrictions on early withdrawal can affect performance. Individual tax questions should be discussed with a licensed tax or investment advisor.