Calculate your estimated retirement income in Switzerland and see how much capital you may need if you want to retire early.
Estimate your AHV/OASI pension, Pillar 2 pension assets, Pillar 3a savings and the capital required to bridge the years between early retirement and your AHV pension.
Planning retirement in Switzerland involves more than calculating a future pension. If you stop working before the normal AHV reference age, you may have several years that need to be financed from your savings, pension fund, Pillar 3a and other assets.
This calculator is designed to give you a simple planning estimate of your retirement position. You can compare different retirement ages and estimate how much money you may need to finance the transition into retirement.
Enter your estimated monthly AHV/OASI pension. If you do not know your exact amount, you can use an approximate figure for planning purposes.
Switzerland's retirement system is based on three main pillars. Each pillar has a different purpose and different rules.
The first pillar is Switzerland's state old-age and survivors' insurance system, commonly called AHV in German and OASI in English. It provides a basic retirement pension.
The current reference age is 65. Under the flexible retirement system, an old-age pension can generally be claimed before the reference age, subject to the applicable reduction and withdrawal rules. The current Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office states that OASI can be claimed at the earliest from age 63 and no later than age 70. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The second pillar is the occupational pension system. Your pension fund accumulates retirement assets during your working life.
The amount available at retirement depends on your salary, contributions, pension fund rules, accumulated assets and the conversion terms applicable to your pension plan.
Early retirement under Pillar 2 is particularly important when planning an early retirement because pension funds may allow retirement before AHV begins. However, the minimum retirement age and benefits depend on the specific pension fund. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Pillar 3a is voluntary, tax-advantaged retirement savings. It can play an important role in financing an early-retirement period.
For 2026, the maximum annual Pillar 3a contribution is CHF 7,258 for employees with a 2nd-pillar pension fund and CHF 36,288 for self-employed people without a 2nd-pillar pension fund, subject to the applicable conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Early retirement is not simply a question of how large your pension will be. You also need to calculate how much money you need during the period between stopping work and receiving your retirement benefits.
For example, suppose you plan to stop working at age 60.
If your AHV starts at 65, you would need to finance approximately five years without your normal AHV pension.
If you need CHF 5,000 per month:
CHF 5,000 × 12 = CHF 60,000 per year
A simple calculation would be:
CHF 60,000 × 5 years = CHF 300,000
In reality, the amount can be different because investment returns, inflation, taxes, pension income and other sources of income can change the result.
This period is often referred to as the retirement bridge or AHV bridge.
Taking AHV early generally means receiving a lower pension. The reduction depends on the amount of early withdrawal and the applicable Swiss rules.
The exact calculation is more complicated than simply applying a fixed percentage to every person's pension. Partial early withdrawals and the timing of the withdrawal can affect the calculation. Official AHV examples show how the reduction is calculated for partial early withdrawals. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
The Swiss 13th AHV pension is an important consideration when planning retirement income. The first 13th AHV pension payment is scheduled for December 2026.
If applicable, the annual AHV income in your retirement budget should therefore take the 13th payment into account.
Your occupational pension fund can be one of the most important sources of income during early retirement.
However, pension fund rules vary considerably. Some pension plans allow early retirement from around age 58, while others use different minimum ages or conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Before making an early-retirement decision, check your latest pension certificate and pension fund regulations.
Pillar 3a can be particularly useful when planning the years before AHV begins.
For example, a person retiring at 60 may use part of their private assets and Pillar 3a savings to finance the years before receiving AHV.
The exact withdrawal rules and tax consequences depend on the individual situation and current legislation.
There is no single amount that applies to everyone.
A person living in Zurich with a mortgage, expensive health insurance and a high lifestyle budget can require substantially more capital than someone living in a small apartment with low housing costs.
Your required retirement capital depends on:
One of the easiest ways to understand early retirement is to compare several possible retirement ages.
| Retirement age | Approximate bridge to age 65 | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | 7 years | Longer period to finance |
| 60 | 5 years | Moderate bridge period |
| 62 | 3 years | Shorter bridge period |
| 63 | 2 years | Close to AHV early-withdrawal age |
| 65 | 0 years | Reference age |
The table is only a simplified illustration. Your actual retirement plan can include Pillar 2 benefits, partial AHV withdrawals, investment income and other sources of income.
For important retirement decisions, always compare this calculator with official Swiss information and your personal pension documents.
The calculator uses the information entered by the user to create an illustrative retirement projection.
The basic model considers:
The calculation is intended to help users compare scenarios. It should not be interpreted as a guaranteed future investment return or official pension entitlement.
The current AHV/OASI reference age is 65. Switzerland also allows flexible retirement, meaning that pensions can generally be drawn earlier or later subject to the applicable rules and adjustments. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Yes. Switzerland allows flexible retirement. AHV/OASI can generally be claimed before the reference age, subject to applicable reductions and rules. Occupational pension funds can also have their own early-retirement provisions. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
There is no universal amount. The required capital depends mainly on your annual spending, retirement age, pension income, housing costs, taxes, investment returns and the number of years that must be financed before your pension income begins.
An AHV bridge is the period between early retirement and the start of your AHV/OASI pension. During this period, you may need to fund your living expenses using savings, investments, Pillar 2, Pillar 3a or other income.
Pillar 3a can be an important part of retirement planning, including for people planning an early retirement. However, withdrawal rules and tax treatment must be considered when deciding when and how to withdraw the funds.
For 2026, the maximum contribution is CHF 7,258 for employees with a 2nd-pillar pension fund. Self-employed people without a 2nd-pillar pension fund can contribute up to CHF 36,288 under the applicable rules. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
No. This calculator provides an estimate for planning purposes. For an individualized AHV forecast, use the official Swiss pension forecast service or contact the relevant compensation office. The Swiss Compensation Office provides a pension forecast procedure based on individual account information and other personal data. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Your pension fund uses its own pension regulations, conversion rates, contribution history and retirement assumptions. Your personal pension certificate should therefore be treated as the primary source for your occupational pension estimate.
Generally, yes. Taking AHV before the reference age results in a lower pension. The exact reduction depends on the timing and structure of the early withdrawal. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
There is no universally best retirement age. Retiring earlier gives you more free time but generally requires more capital and can reduce future pension income. Comparing several retirement ages can help you understand the financial trade-off.
This calculator is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not financial advice, tax advice, investment advice, legal advice or an official pension calculation.
Swiss pension legislation, tax rules, AHV/OASI rules and occupational pension regulations can change. Individual pension benefits depend on personal circumstances and the regulations of your pension fund.
Before making an early-retirement or investment decision, consult your pension fund, AHV compensation office and qualified financial or tax professionals where appropriate.