Finpension 3a stands out as one of the best 3a pension solutions in Switzerland thanks to its simple approach and excellent return/cost ratio.. Finpension 3a: Simple, Profitable and Acceptable Fees, I'll give you a quick summary and my opinion on Finpension 3a.
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| Punctuation out of 10 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Commissions (management fees) | 0.39% | 9 / 10 |
| Indirect costs | Very few indirect costs | 9.5 / 10 |
| Past yield | Very good past performance for a 3a account | 9 / 10 |
| Choice of strategies | Very varied | 10 / 10 |
| Opportunity to invest 99% in the stock market on global 100 | Yes | 10 / 10 |
| Percentage of investment in Switzerland & Percentage of investment abroad | Switzerland = 40% foreigner = 60% | 10 / 10 |
| Ease of use | Very simple | 10 / 10 |
| Maximum number of portfolios a client can hold | 5 | 9.5 / 10 |
| 3a security | Very good | 9.5 / 10 |
| Customer service | Very good | 9.5 / 10 |
| 9.6 / 10 |
Why open a 3a account?
A account 3a is much more than just a savings account: it's a financial planning tool that offers attractive tax advantages for Swiss residents.
Indeed, every franc you deposit into your 3a account can reduce your income tax. Depending on your tax situation, this saving can reach several thousand francs per year Of course, every case is unique, and optimization depends on your personal situation.
However, be aware that money deposited in a 3a account is not available at all times. It can only be withdrawn within 4 specific cases :
- Buying your main residence
- Final departure abroad
- Starting your own business in Switzerland
- Retirement
SO, which 3a account to choose Let's analyze it together. Finpension 3a*, A solution worth checking out. 😊
Finpension 3a in brief
Finpension is a asset management company authorized by FINMA, This guarantees its reliability and transparency. It should be noted that it offers several financial products, including:
- Finpension Invest : to invest in the stock market
- Finpension Libre Passage : to manage your 2nd pillar
Today, we're going to focus on Finpension 3a.
Finpension 3a: Simple, Profitable and with Acceptable Fees
Annual commissions (management fees)
Did you know that Finpension 3a applies a management fee of only 0.39 % ?
To date, only Viac, Neon 3a and True Wealth offer such low prices. This makes it so one of the cheapest 3a accounts on the market in terms of management fees.
Indirect costs
It is rare to find a bank or pension account. no hidden fees. Usually, customers have to pay exchange fees, entry/exit fees, TER (Total Expense Ratio) fees or administrative fees.
With Finpension 3a, good news :
✅ No transaction fees
✅ No TER fees
✅ No deposit fees
However, certain fees apply in specific cases, such as:
- Early withdrawal
- Consulting and processing fees for a capital withdrawal with a residence abroad
The investment strategy
Finpension 3a offers you 6 investment strategies for your money, with clear allocations between stocks, bonds, real estate and cash :
| Actions | Obligations | Real estate | Cash / Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 % | 99 % | 0 % | 1 % |
| 20 % | 70 % | 9 % | 1 % |
| 40 % | 50 % | 9 % | 1 % |
| 60 % | 30 % | 9 % | 1 % |
| 80 % | 10 % | 9 % | 1 % |
| 99 % | 0 % | 0 % | 1 % |
👉 A wide selection to adapt to your investor profile.
In addition, if you prefer, you can personalize your strategy by investing individually.
In my opinion (not to be taken as financial advice) The strategy Global 100 (99% global shares) is the most interesting on the long term (10 years and more).
Geographical distribution of investments
Switzerland is a stable country, but it represents only a small part of the global economy. For a optimal diversification, It is wise to invest abroad, particularly in UNITED STATES, which historically offer the better stock market returns.
With Finpension 3a, you can invest up to 100 % abroad Excellent news for those who want to diversify.
Example with the Global 100 strategy (Percentages may vary slightly):
- 40 % in Switzerland
- 37 % in the United States
- 23 % in the rest of the world
👉 A good balance : 40 % in Switzerland and 60 % internationally (therefore a good part in the USA), to combine security and growth.
The investment choice
Finpension 3a offers you 3 main options to invest:
- Overall Investment worldwide
- Sustainable : Investment focused on sustainability (ESG stocks, for example)
- Swiss Investment primarily in Switzerland
My opinion I prefer the option Overall, because it offers a maximum diversification. However, it's a matter of personal preference, and that's precisely one of Finpension's strengths: You have a choice !
👉 Bonuses Finpension allows you to invest primarily through Swisscanto index funds, an excellent option for passive and efficient management.
Past performance
Past performance does not guarantee future results, but it does provide a good indication. Finpension Global 100 achieved an annualized return of 9.25% over 10 years. (data from November 2015 to November 2025).
To date, only Viac offers comparable returns over a long period.
👉 A very satisfactory result for a 3a account!
3a account security
As with most pension accounts in Switzerland, Your securities are separate from those of Finpension.. In case of bankruptcy, your money is transferred to another account 3a.
On the digital security side, I have not identified any major risks (but I am not a cybersecurity expert).
👉 Conclusion Finpension 3a security is very good.
The number of possible portfolios
In a previous article (stagger your 3a), I explained why it is advantageous to hold multiple 3a accounts to optimize your taxes when making withdrawals.
Example In most Swiss cantons, it is preferable to have 3 third-party accounts with CHF 100,000 each rather than a single account of 300,000 CHF.
👉 With Finpension 3a, you can hold up to 5 portfolios : a sufficient number for effective tax optimization.
Ease of use
Finpension is very easy to use :
- You make a transfer from your current account.
- Finpension takes care of the rest!
Personal example I pay a monthly amount into my 3a account, and the money is automatically invested in complete safety.
Client service
My experience with Finpension's customer service has always been positive :
- Clear answers
- Reactivity
- Professionalism
Nothing negative to say.
Conclusion: Finpension 3a, a Good option ?
Let's analyze the key points with a Finpension 3a summary table and my personal rating (out of 10):
| Criteria | Details | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions (management fees) | 0,39 % | 9 / 10 |
| Indirect costs | Very few hidden fees | 9,5 / 10 |
| Past yield | Very good yield (9.25 % over 10 years) | 9 / 10 |
| Choice of strategies | 6 varied strategies | 10 / 10 |
| Stock market investment (Global 100) | Up to 99 % in shares | 10 / 10 |
| Swiss/foreign distribution | 40 % Switzerland / 60 % worldwide | 10 / 10 |
| Ease of use | Very intuitive | 10 / 10 |
| Number of portfolios | Up to 5 | 9,5 / 10 |
| Security | Very good | 9,5 / 10 |
| Customer service | Responsive and professional | 9,5 / 10 |
| Overall rating | 9,6 / 10 | Excellent |
👉 Finpension 3a receives an overall rating of 9.6/10 : it's one of the Best 3a accounts available in Switzerland !
Finpension 3a vs other 3a accounts
In my opinion, Finpension 3a is among the top 4 3a accounts in Switzerland, alongside Neon 3a, Viac and True Wealth.
For what ?
- Simplicity Easy to use
- Reduced fees : 0.39 % management fee
- High yields : Among the highest of the Swiss 3a
👉 My advice If you don't already have a 3a account with Neon, Viac or True Wealth, Finpension 3a is an excellent alternative Something to study seriously!
Finpension 3a: Simple, Profitable and Acceptable Fees
FAQ: Everything you need to know about the 3a account and Finpension 3a
What are the tax advantages of a 3a account in Switzerland?
A account 3a allows reduce your income tax in Switzerland. Every payment made to this account is tax deductible, which can save you money several thousand francs per year, Depending on your situation. However, the amounts withdrawn are taxable at the time of withdrawal. In reality, it's an ideal tool for optimize your taxes while preparing for your retirement or a real estate project.
When can you withdraw money from a 3a account?
The money placed on a account 3a is blocked until one of the 4 following cases :
- Buying your main residence in Switzerland
- Final departure abroad
- Starting or taking over a business in Switzerland
- Retirement (starting 5 years before the legal retirement age)
In truth, these restrictions ensure that the 3a account remains a tool for long-term planning.
Why choose Finpension 3a rather than another 3a account?
Finpension 3a is distinguished by:
✅ Very low management fees (0.39 %), among the most competitive on the market (along with Viac and Neon 3a).
✅ 6 varied investment strategies, adapted to all profiles (from 0 % to 100 % in shares).
✅ An optimal geographical distribution (e.g.: 40 % Switzerland / 60 % worldwide with the Global 100 strategy).
✅ Up to 5 3a wallets for a tax optimization during withdrawals.
✅ High past performance (9.25 % annualized over 10 years for Global 100).
✅ Security and transparency : the securities are separated from those of Finpension in the event of bankruptcy.
What investment strategies are available with Finpension 3a?
Note that Finpension 3a offers 6 predefined strategies, ranging from 0 % to 100 % in shares, with distributions between stocks, bonds, real estate and cash. Here is an example:
| Actions | Obligations | Real estate | Liquids |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 % | 99 % | 0 % | 1 % |
| 100 % | 0 % | 0 % | 1 % |
You can also personalize your strategy or opt for Swisscanto index funds. In my opinion, the strategy Global 100 (40 % Switzerland, 37 % USA, 23 % rest of the world) is particularly recommended for a long-term investment.
How many 3a accounts can one hold in Switzerland?
This depends on the canton of residence of client 3a.
Overall, there is no no legal limit the number of 3a accounts you can open. However, for Optimize your taxes when making withdrawals, It is advisable to have some. several (e.g., 3 accounts of CHF 100,000 rather than one single account of CHF 300,000).
In fact, Finpension 3a allows you to open up to 5 portfolios., which is ideal for a effective tax strategy.
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Finpension 3a: Simple, Profitable, and Acceptable Fees
Finpension 3a: Simple, Profitable and Acceptable Fees
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