Pick the right time

Your retirement income will depend on when you decide to retire: early, at the legal age, or later. Consider whether you'll have enough income to maintain your current lifestyle for the long term.

Assess your income

Unless you have paid into the first pillar of Switzerland's social security system continuously since you were 21, you will not get the full benefits. Under the second pillar, you can receive your occupational pension in regular payments or as a lump-sum payment, or a combination of both. To determine which is best for you, you need to consider your savings, pension coverage, financial investments, and any property you may have.  

Draw up a budget

To draw up a budget, you need to estimate your retirement expenses in light of inflation and your desired lifestyle. Do your best to accurately estimate the cost of any specific plans you have, like taking a long trip or buying a vacation home. You should go through this process again once you have actually retired.

Make the most of what you have

To improve your occupational (second-pillar) pension benefits, you have the option of purchasing past years during which you did not contribute (or fully contribute). There are also third-pillar retirement products, including certain types of bank accounts and life-insurance policies, designed to supplement your retirement income. These voluntary second- and third-pillar contributions are tax-deductible (up to a ceiling) and can help shore up your retirement savings.