What is the pillar 3a maximum for 2026?

CHF 7'258 for employees in a pension fund. Without a pension fund, 20% of net earned income, at most CHF 36'288.

Why does the saving change by canton?

Each canton has its own tariff and multipliers, and each commune its own multiplier. The same deduction removes income taxed at a different rate in each place, so the saving differs.

Is the money taxed later?

Yes, at withdrawal, as a capital payment taxed separately from other income at a reduced rate. This calculator shows only the income tax saved in the year you pay in.

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🇨🇭 Switzerland · pillar 3a

Pillar 3a tax saving calculator

Pick your canton, enter your salary and your 3a payment, and see the income tax it could save this year.

7-day free trial · Not financial advice

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Canton

Gross salary a year

Pillar 3a payment this year

Maximum CHF 7'258 a year

Age this year40

Estimated income tax saving this year

CHF 1'862on CHF 7'258 paid in

Income tax withoutCHF 16'347a year

Income tax withCHF 14'485a year

Cost after the savingCHF 5'396a year

Estimate for 2026: a single taxpayer in the canton capital, employed and in a pension fund, no church tax, no children.
Illustration, not financial advice. Investments can fall as well as rise.

Move any slider: the figure above updates as you drag.

CHF 1'862 saved

Estimated income tax saving this year · Illustration, not advice

How pillar 3a tax relief works

Payments into a pillar 3a account are deducted from your taxable income, for the direct federal tax and for the cantonal and communal tax. The saving is the tax on the income the deduction removes, so it depends on your income, your canton and your commune: the higher the bracket the deduction falls in, the larger the saving.

The deduction has a yearly maximum. For an employee who is in an occupational pension fund (pillar 2) it is CHF 7'258 for 2026. Without a pension fund, for example when self-employed, it is 20% of net earned income, at most CHF 36'288. The maximum is also the most that can be paid in for the year. 3a does not reduce AHV/IV/EO or unemployment contributions, so the saving is income tax only.

What this calculator assumes

It runs Moola's Swiss tax engine twice, once without and once with your 3a payment, and shows the difference. It covers the cantons the engine models today: Basel-Stadt, Bern, Geneva, Vaud, Zug and Zurich. It assumes a single taxpayer living in the canton capital (its communal multiplier), no church tax, no children, employment income only and membership of a pension fund, so the payment is held to CHF 7'258.

Social contributions and the default pillar 2 contribution for your age and salary are deducted before tax, as on a payslip. Commuting, meals, mortgage interest and other personal deductions are not included, so your own figure may differ. It is an estimate, not tax advice.

Pillar 3a tax questions

What is the pillar 3a maximum for 2026?: CHF 7'258 for employees in a pension fund. Without a pension fund, 20% of net earned income, at most CHF 36'288.
Does a 3a payment reduce federal and cantonal tax?: Yes. The payment is deducted from taxable income for the direct federal tax and for the cantonal and communal tax. This calculator includes all three.
Why does the saving change by canton?: Each canton has its own tariff and multipliers, and each commune its own multiplier. The same deduction removes income taxed at a different rate in each place, so the saving differs.
Is the money taxed later?: Yes, at withdrawal, as a capital payment taxed separately from other income at a reduced rate. This calculator shows only the income tax saved in the year you pay in.