- On a 100'000-franc salary, AHV and the pension fund together pay about 4'500 francs a month: a little over half the salary.
- The higher your salary, the lower that percentage, because the AHV pension is capped.
- Simple rule: every 1'000 francs missing per month require about 180'000 francs of capital.
What you will receive, by salary
The more you earn, the smaller the share of your salary covered by AHV and the pension fund. AHV is capped, and the part of your pension fund above the legal minimum is often converted at a low rate.
| Gross annual salary | AHV | Pension fund (at 5.1%) | Total per month | Share of salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHF 60'000 | ~CHF 1'900 | ~CHF 990 | ~CHF 2'890 | ~58% |
| CHF 100'000 | ~CHF 2'400 | ~CHF 2'140 | ~CHF 4'540 | ~54% |
| CHF 150'000 | CHF 2'520 (max) | ~CHF 3'580 | ~CHF 6'100 | ~49% |
Estimates: full AHV record (44 years) with an average income below the last salary, 40 years of minimum pension fund contributions, 1.5% interest a year, conversion rate of 5.1%. Your fund may do better, or worse: your pension certificate gives your figure (see our line-by-line guide).
These amounts assume a whole career in Switzerland. Arrive at 35 and your AHV pension is about two thirds of these figures, and your pension fund smaller too. Pensions from the countries where you worked before add to it: see the AHV pension for late arrivals.
How much will you need?
A common starting point: 70 to 80% of your gross income. Some expenses disappear: AHV and pension fund contributions, work expenses, often part of the tax. Others stay or rise: rent, health insurance premiums, travel early in retirement.
Example: on a 100'000-franc salary, that need is around 5'800 francs a month. Given what AHV and the pension fund pay, about 1'300 francs a month are missing.
The capital you need
Every 1'000 francs missing per month require about 180'000 francs of capital for 20 years of retirement. That is the rule to remember, with capital invested at 3% net and fully used up. Since people live on average about twenty more years at 65, plan for 25 years instead: then count about a sixth more.
The capital needed by monthly gap
| Gap per month | Capital needed over 20 years |
|---|---|
| CHF 500 | ~CHF 90'000 |
| CHF 1'000 | ~CHF 180'000 |
| CHF 1'500 | ~CHF 270'000 |
| CHF 2'000 | ~CHF 360'000 |
Capital invested at 3% net a year during retirement and fully used up.
Four levers to close the gap
- Pillar 3a, deductible: at the maximum for 30 years, with a 5% return, it reaches almost half a million, and every payment gives you back about a quarter of its amount in tax. See the 3a limit.
- The pension fund buy-in, also deductible and with no annual cap, if your certificate shows a gap. Do it at least 3 years before a lump-sum withdrawal: see the buy-in.
- Deferring AHV: each year after 65 raises the pension for life, by about a sixth for three years of deferral. In return, you have to live those years without the pension.
- Free investing, with no cap and no tax on capital gains: see investing in Switzerland.
A buy-in at 45 benefits from 20 years of interest. The same at 62, from 3 years. Every lever is worth less as retirement approaches.
Going further
Think about inflation. The pension fund pension is generally not indexed: over 20 years of retirement, its purchasing power falls noticeably. Allow a margin, or keep part of your capital invested.
You will still pay tax. AHV and pension fund pensions are taxed as income, and capital withdrawn once, at a reduced rate. Think in net terms: a need of 5'800 francs a month is financed with a little more gross income.
Will you retire elsewhere? Then count in the currency and cost of living of that country: your Swiss pensions are paid abroad, but your expenses and taxes will follow local rules. See leaving Switzerland.
Lump sum or pension for your pension fund?Compare both with your conversion rate and horizon.
Open the calculatorYour next step
To do, at your own pace:
Path “Planning your retirement” · step 4 of 8
Frequently asked questions
What replacement rate does the Swiss system aim for?
About 60% of your last salary with AHV and the pension fund together. It is roughly reached around a CHF 60'000 salary. Above that, the cap on the AHV pension lowers the rate.
How much capital do I need to top up my retirement?
To cover a gap of CHF 1'000 a month for 20 years, with capital invested at 3% net, you need about CHF 180'000. For 25 years, about 17% more.
I arrived in Switzerland at 35. How does that change the calculation?
Your AHV pension will be about two thirds of a full pension, and your pension fund will have fewer years of contributions. Pensions from the countries where you worked before add to it. The gap to fill yourself is usually larger than for someone who has always worked in Switzerland.
How much can pillar 3a represent at retirement?
CHF 7'258 paid in every year for 30 years at a 5% return gives about CHF 482'000, not counting the annual tax saving.
Is it worth deferring my AHV pension?
Deferring by one year raises the pension by 5.2%, by two years 10.8%, by three years 17.1%, up to 31.5% for five years (2026 rates). It takes around ten years of retirement or more to make up for the pensions not received.
Lump sum or pension for my pension fund?
A low conversion rate, fragile health or a need for flexibility argue for the lump sum. A long life expectancy and a spouse to protect argue for the pension. The Capital or Pension calculator compares both with your figures.
Sources: FSIO, 2026 AHV amounts and the AHV 21 reform ; BVG / LPP art. 79b (buy-ins) ; Swisscanto, 2024 pension fund study (median conversion rate 5.1%) ; FSO, life tables ; BVV 3 / OPP 3 art. 7. ViaVest estimates and calculations.