Software Radar

Pillar 3a

Pillar 3a is tied, tax-privileged individual retirement saving; contributions are deductible from taxable income up to an annual maximum, which is lower for employees with a pension fund than for the self-employed without one.

Definition

For the business it is normally not a topic: paying in is a private matter and does not run through payroll. It becomes relevant for the self-employed, because their higher deduction replaces part of the retirement provision employees get through the second pillar.

If the employer pays contributions into an employee’s pillar 3a, they are salary and therefore subject to contributions and tax. The tax advantage arises for the employee through the deduction, not through how the payment is made.

What the software must be able to do

In payroll accounting there is nothing to represent as long as the employer does not pay in. If they do, a contributory wage type and the declaration on the salary certificate are needed.

Checked Aug 2026

More terms under Payroll, staff and expenses: Accident insurance (UVG) AHV contributions BVG and pension fund Collective agreement rules Construction agreement Coordination deduction Cross-border workers Employer’s payroll costs Expense flat rates Expense policy Extra-mandatory pension cover Family allowances Gross and net pay Holiday pay in cash Hospitality agreement Hospitality collective agreement IV and EO Maternity allowance Owner’s salary Payslip Pension (BVG) deductions Private share Salary statement Secondary employment Sickness daily allowance (KTG) Staff meals Swissdec ELM Thirteenth month salary Unemployment insurance (ALV) Withholding tax Work permits Working-hours recording (ArG)