Currently the most popular solution – at least theoretically – is a combination of the two approaches, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the financial services provider VZ VermögensZentrum.
Of the sample of 1,200 people (workers and pensioners) questioned in German-speaking Switzerland alone between 20 January and 28 February, 27% said they preferred annuity only, 33% capital only, and 40% a mix of the two.
Influencing the choice of lump sum only are the possibility of investing the money independently (54%), the desire to leave something to heirs (17%), financial considerations such as taxes (8%) and health (8%).
Those who opt for the combination value above all the security of income (35%).
VZ also points out, however, that an analysis of what actually happens at retirement shows a somewhat different picture: according to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), 41% of pensioners in 2023 (latest available data) chose lump sum, 40% chose annuity and 19% chose a combination.
This is the first time that the total withdrawal form has won out over the annuity; this had never happened in the past – in 2015 the annuity choice was 50%.
More
More
Extra month of Swiss pension can be paid out from end of 2026
This content was published on
The 13th monthly pension payment can be paid out from December 2026. However, it has not yet been decided how it will be financed.
“The main reason for the increase in capital withdrawals is probably to be found in the reduction of conversion rates,” say VZ specialists.
The FSO data also show that more and more people value the flexibility of being able to freely dispose of their capital. Tax aspects do not seem to play a predominant role in the choice.
VZ VermögensZentrum belongs to VZ Holding, a financial company that is also present in Lugano. The company is listed on the stock exchange and has 1,700 employees.
More
More
Net wealth of Swiss households rises to CHF4.8 trillion
This content was published on
Private household assets in Switzerland continued to grow strongly in 2024. The increase was driven by both the growth in financial assets and higher property assets.
We select the most relevant news for an international audience and use automatic translation tools such as DeepL to translate them into English. A journalist then reviews the translation for clarity and accuracy before publication. Providing you with automatically translated news gives us the time to write more in-depth articles. The news stories we select have been written and carefully fact-checked by an external editorial team from news agencies such as Bloomberg or Keystone.
Did you find this explanation helpful? Please fill out the short survey below to help us understand your needs.
External Content
Popular Stories
More
Climate change
Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
Basel prepares 700 volunteers for the Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Around 320 people took part in one of the two official information events for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel on Friday.
More Swiss soldiers involved in accidents during training in Austria
This content was published on
The Swiss army has reported various accidents involving Swiss soldiers during the exercise “TRIAS 25” in Austria. Some have led to hospitalisations.
Swiss court rules vegan meat substitutes can’t use animal names
This content was published on
Vegan meat substitutes may not bear animal names such as “planted.chicken” according to a ruling by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
Swiss cantons spared duty to create new traveller transit sites
This content was published on
Swiss cantons will no longer be formally obliged by the government to create new transit sites for the travelling community.
Swiss politicians bemoan limited access to EU treaty details
This content was published on
Protests that only a few Swiss parliamentarians will be able to read the contents of a new agreement negotiated with the EU.
This content was published on
The cost of buying a home in Switzerland rose by 4.1% year-on-year in the last quarter and by 0.7% compared to the previous three months.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.