Updated: 18 September 2026.
Pillar 3a is one of the rare areas of Swiss personal finance where tax policy gives investors a substantial incentive to save. That does not mean every 3a product is equally attractive.
The first question is whether contributing to pillar 3a fits your circumstances. The second is how the money should be invested. Only then should you argue about whether a provider costs 0.39% or 0.43%.
A useful 2026 change
For 2026, employees affiliated with a second-pillar pension scheme can deduct up to CHF 7,258 of eligible pillar 3a contributions. Those without a second pillar can generally contribute up to 20% of earned income, capped at CHF 36,288.
From 2026 it is also possible, subject to conditions, to make retroactive contributions for gaps arising from 2025 onward. The regular current-year contribution must first be made in full before an eligible catch-up contribution.
That makes 2026 unusually important for anyone who did not fully use the 2025 allowance.
Four compelling digital 3a providers
| Provider | Current recurring cost | Main strength | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| finpension 3a | 0.39% management + typically 0.00–0.02% fund costs | Flexibility, institutional index funds | More choices require more decisions |
| True Wealth 3a | 0% management + about 0.12% average product costs on global strategy | Extremely low headline cost; automation | Less granular control than finpension |
| VIAC 3a | First CHF 8,500 free; thereafter 0–0.44% total costs | Strong all-round package + Life Basic | Cost depends on strategy/assets |
| frankly 3a | 0.43% all-in fee on securities balance | Simple ZKB ecosystem | Certain product-level costs remain outside fee |
finpension’s current 3a management fee is 0.39%, with standard-strategy fund costs generally around 0.00–0.02%.
True Wealth has made the comparison more interesting by charging 0% management fee for pillar 3a. Its global strategy currently shows average product costs of around 0.12%, and it allows an individually determined strategy with up to 99% equities.
VIAC currently invests the first CHF 8,500 without charge and quotes total costs of 0–0.44% thereafter, including product fees, while also including basic disability/death protection.
frankly charges a 0.43% all-in fee on invested 3a assets. The fee covers most administration, custody and trading, although some costs directly embedded in investment products remain outside it.
The cheapest number is not automatically the best 3a
A difference of 0.2 percentage points compounded over decades matters. But other differences can matter more.
A 30-year-old investor who wants a highly diversified equity portfolio should pay attention to the maximum equity allocation, diversification, treatment of foreign withholding taxes, currency implementation and fund structure.
Someone approaching retirement may care more about reducing risk, splitting assets across several 3a accounts and organising withdrawals across different tax years.
And someone who continually postpones investing because the interface offers too many choices may rationally prefer a simpler automated solution.
The cheapest unused product costs infinitely more than a slightly more expensive product that is actually implemented.
Guidefinances view
For investors who want control and investment flexibility, finpension remains our preferred advanced solution. Its 0.39% management fee, very low-cost institutional funds and broad configuration options remain an unusually strong package.
For investors who want maximum simplicity at an exceptionally low recurring headline cost, True Wealth has become a genuine challenger and should no longer be treated as a secondary option.
VIAC remains one of the strongest all-round solutions, especially for smaller portfolios benefiting from its current free tranche and for users who value the integrated basic insurance component.
frankly is a credible simplicity choice for investors who prefer the ZKB ecosystem.
The decision between these providers is now close enough that investment strategy and behaviour may matter more than a few basis points of fees.
Fees and statutory limits reviewed on 18 September 2026.
Guide Finances 