Insurance for self-employed workers
When you are self-employed, you have freedom. But this freedom comes with a reality: no one takes care of your insurance and benefits for you.
No retirement capital, and no automatic coverage in the event of loss of earnings or death. And if you don't plan ahead, everything falls on you and your loved ones.
Independent: You do not benefit from the automatic coverage of the employee system. We build a comprehensive strategy with you to protect your loved ones, reduce your tax burden, and grow your retirement capital.
The essentials
- Pillar 3a (up to CHF 36,288): If you don't have a 2nd pillar, you can deduct up to 20 % from your net taxable income (compared to 7,258 CHF for an employee).
- Optional 2nd pillar: Voluntarily affiliate to massively increase your tax deduction limits and make buybacks.
- Savings vs Protection: Strategic trade-off between a banking solution (purely financial) and an insurance solution (which covers disability and death).
- Impact of status: Whether you’re a sole proprietor or the owner of a corporation (SA) or limited liability company (Sàrl)—the tax and LPP rules are changing completely.
- Tip 100: Independent %: As a FINMA-certified firm, we objectively select the best solutions on the market—we don’t have any in-house products to sell you.
Retirement Planning Solutions for the Self-Employed
As a’independent, you must build it yourself your social security and retirement benefits. Unlike employees, you do not automatically have access to the 2nd Pillar (LPP/BVG), and your coverage in the event of disability or death is not guaranteed. That is why it is essential to develop a financial planning strategy tailored to your situation.
The Swiss pension system is based on three pillars, but they work quite differently for the self-employed. Here's what you need to know:
Pillar 3a: Your Tax-Advantaged Foundation
The Pillar 3a is the cornerstone of your retirement planning as a self-employed person. You can contribute up to 20% of your net income, with a cap of CHF 36,288 (2026), which is much more than what employees earn. These amounts are fully deductible from your taxable income, which is a significant tax benefit.
You can choose between banking solutions (3a accounts or investment funds) and insurance solutions (with built-in death and disability coverage). Withdrawal of the principal is restricted up to 5 years before reaching AVS retirement age, with certain exceptions (purchase of real estate, permanent departure from Switzerland, start of self-employment).
Pillar 3b: Flexibility and Freedom
The Pillar 3b complements your retirement planning strategy without the restrictions of the 3a plan. There is no limit contributions, no fund lock-up, and you freely choose how and when to use your savings.
In the insurance industry, a 3b plan can be used to cover needs such as: protecting your loved ones in the event of your death, providing an income in the event of disability, or building a free capital. Premiums are not tax-deductible (except in Geneva and Fribourg), but the death benefit is paid outside the estate, and the benefits are often tax-advantaged.
The 2nd pillar: A restricted possibility
As a self-employed person, you are not necessarily affiliated with a pension fund. However, you can choose to do voluntarily affiliate to a provident institution or to the LPP Supplementary Institution Foundation. This option allows you to benefit from the advantages of the 2nd pillar: tax deductions, additional retirement capital, and death/disability coverage.
Voluntary affiliation can be particularly interesting if you want to maximize your old-age provision while benefiting from additional tax advantages. However, the pension fund choices are limited, and the returns of the supplementary LPP Foundation are often lower than the market.
Essential protections to enable
As a freelancer, three major risks can jeopardize your financial situation and that of your loved ones. Here are the essential protections:
Loss of earning capacity pension (illness and accident)
An illness or accident can prevent you from working for years, or even permanently. Without replacement income, how do you maintain your standard of living? Knowing that the maximum IV pension amounts to CHF 2,520.
Income protection insurance for illness and accident coverage are essential for ensuring an income in the event of a crisis. This type of benefit generally becomes effective following a disability lasting at least 25%.
Life insurance
If you were to go missing, would your loved ones be able to maintain their lifestyle ? To repay a mortgage? Term life insurance guarantees a lump sum to your family and protects their financial future. This is particularly crucial if you have children or a spouse which depends on your income.
Savings Plan
Beyond protection, it’s about building your retirement savings—even when times get tough. Every franc you save today brings you closer to financial freedom tomorrow. A consistent, tax-optimized savings strategy makes all the difference in the long run.
As a self-employed person, one attractive type of coverage is the waiver of premium in the event of loss of earning capacity. This means that the insurance company covers your premium payments if you become unable to work, and thus continues to save on your behalf.
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Our Expertise, At Your Service
We offer comprehensive support to help you prepare for retirement and optimize your pension planning. Whether you're planning early retirement, reviewing your occupational pension (LPP) situation, or tracking down forgotten pension assets, our experts guide you every step of the way.
Retirement planning
Preparing for retirement means anticipating your future income and needs. We build a personalized plan across all three pillars to ensure a secure retirement.
LPP Asset Management
We track down your forgotten occupational pension (LPP) assets and help you consolidate them into a suitable solution to protect your vested benefits.
Retirement Tax Optimization
Buybacks, cantonal deductions, withdrawal planning: We help you structure your retirement tax strategy.
Pillar 3a Solutions
We review your benefits and assets to identify gaps and recommend solutions tailored to your future needs.
Pillar 3b Solutions
We help you choose a flexible Pillar 3b solution to protect your family or save freely according to your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pension Plans for the Self-Employed
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about retirement planning for self-employed individuals in Switzerland.
As a self-employed person, am I required to make contributions to the 2nd pillar?
No, you are not required to. Unlike employees, enrollment in the 2nd pillar is optional for the self-employed. However, you can choose to enroll intentionally to a retirement plan, which can be a good way to maximize your retirement savings and tax deductions.
How much can I contribute to Pillar 3a?
As a self-employed person without a 2nd pillar, you can contribute up to 20% of your net income, up to a maximum of CHF 36,288/year. If you are a member of a pension fund, the limit is the same as for employees, namely CHF 7,258 (2025).
Are Pillar 3b premiums tax-deductible in Geneva?
Yes, in Geneva, Pillar 3b contributions can be deducted from your taxable income, within certain limits set by cantonal law (4,690 CHF per year for a self-employed person without an LPP or Pillar 3a plan).
What is the difference between a 3a bank account and a 3a insurance plan?
The Differences Between a 3rd-Pillar Plan Through a Bank vs. an Insurance Company are as follows:
Pillar 3a via a bank is a pure savings solution (account or investment fund) without risk coverage. Pillar 3a via insurance combines savings and protection: in the event of death or disability, the remaining premiums are covered and the planned capital is guaranteed. Insurance costs more, but offers additional security.
What happens to my vested benefits if I become self-employed?
Your funds remain frozen in your vested benefits account or deposit until retirement (or 5 years before reaching AHV retirement age). You you can remove them to finance your primary residence, to set yourself up in a new business, or to transfer them if you voluntarily join a pension fund.
When should I start planning for my retirement?
Idéalement dès le début de votre activité indépendante. Plus vous commencez tôt, plus vous bénéficiez de l’effet des intérêts composés et plus vous pouvez lisser vos cotisations. Même si vous êtes déjà établi depuis plusieurs années, il n’est jamais trop tard pour optimiser votre prévoyance et combler les lacunes.
Comment protéger ma famille en cas de décès ?
L’AVS verse une rente de veuf/veuve et des rentes d’orphelin, mais ces prestations sont souvent insuffisantes. Une assurance décès en pilier 3a ou 3b garantit un capital à vos proches pour maintenir leur niveau de vie, rembourser des dettes ou financer les études des enfants. Le montant à assurer dépend de votre situation familiale et de vos charges.
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