Pension
AHV/AVS, second pillar and third pillar: how the Swiss pension system works for those who live abroad, and how not to lose what you are entitled to.
The Swiss pension system is a multi-layered one, especially for those who work in Switzerland but live in another country. Over a career, a cross-border worker builds up rights and contributions that will matter a great deal at retirement or at other stages of life.
The system rests on three pillars, each with its own features and purpose. Understanding how they work, which contributions are paid and what happens when you stop working in Switzerland is essential in order not to overlook sums and benefits that belong to you.
In this section you will find the guides dedicated to the Swiss pension system for cross-border workers, starting with the complete guide to the second pillar: how it works, how it is taxed and the best way to withdraw it and convert it into euros.
Pension provision accompanies a worker throughout their career, including when part of their working life takes place in a country other than the one they live in. Knowing in advance how your rights are built is as important as dealing with the more immediate aspects of work.
For a cross-border worker, the situation becomes even more complex when professional or personal conditions change: the end of a contract, a move, retirement or a definitive return home all have consequences on accumulated benefits and capital. Planning your pension means knowing the path that leads to your rights and managing them over time, so that you never reach an important decision without having weighed its consequences.