Pillar 3a: how much tax will you really save?
Every franc paid into pillar 3a lowers your taxable income. But how much do you really save?
A direct deduction
3a contributions are fully deductible, up to the 2026 cap: CHF 7,258 (employee with a pension fund) or 20 % of income, max CHF 36,288 (self-employed without pillar 2).
Savings depend on your marginal rate
Saving = contribution × marginal tax rate (often 15 to 40 % depending on income, canton, municipality).
🐷 Calculate your 3a tax savingsContribution + marginal rate → annual & cumulative →Example
| Contribution (employee max) | 7,258 CHF |
| Marginal rate | 30 % |
| Tax saving / year | ≈ 2,177 CHF |
Withdrawal
On withdrawal the capital is taxed separately at a reduced rate. The net advantage stays almost always favourable, especially if you stagger withdrawals.
⚠️ Informative article, not financial or tax advice. Rates and rules change; check your situation with a professional or official sources.