You're leaving your 3a insurance policy – but where to? Here are all four relevant banking solutions for Swiss 3a savers directly compared: costs, investment universe, minimum deposit and app quality. Plus a decision tree to help you find the right provider for your situation.
All data as of May 2026. TER = Total Expense Ratio incl. ETF costs. App ratings based on App Store reviews.
| Provider | TER (from) | Investment Universe | Min. Deposit | App Rating | Tax Staggering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VIAC
Swiss Provider
|
0.15% Base portfolio | NoneMonthly from CHF 1 | 4.6 ★ | ||
|
finpension
Swiss Provider
|
0.18% Core account | NoneStanding order from CHF 100 | 4.7 ★ | ||
|
Frankly
Swiss Provider
|
0.40% Premium portfolio | NoneRecommended from CHF 1,000 | 4.5 ★ | ★ Best-seller pick | |
|
Selma
Robo-Advisor
|
0.50% incl. advice | CHF 1,000One-time | 4.4 ★ |
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VIAC is the cheapest provider on the market. With a TER from 0.15% and a broad investment universe (equities, bonds, real estate, commodities), VIAC is ideal for self-directed investors who want to optimise every fee.
Frankly offers the most intuitive user interface and is the most popular provider among Swiss beginners. With a 4.5★ app rating and a solid portfolio, it's the best compromise between ease of use and cost.
Selma automatically handles investment decisions and continuously adjusts your portfolio. Ideal if you don't want to manage portfolio composition yourself – but you pay a premium of 0.50% TER for it.
finpension combines one of the lowest TERs (0.18%) with the highest app rating (4.7★). Swiss company, fully available in German and French. For many switching from insurance policies, this is the best choice.
Switching from a 3a life insurance policy to a banking solution makes sense in most cases – but not always. Check these three points before making your decision:
The Rescue Delta is the net advantage you gain from switching – after deducting the cancellation loss (the difference between your surrender value and the premiums you've paid in). If the delta is above CHF 5,000, switching almost always makes sense. Below CHF 5,000, it only makes sense if you're planning long-term (10+ years to retirement).
Most 3a life insurance policies have a cancellation deadline of 3 months to year-end. If you cancel after September 30th, the cancellation only applies for the following year. Plan your switch accordingly – ideally start in July or August.
If you're using tax staggering (advance withdrawal for home ownership equity), you'll need a second 3a account with a vested benefits foundation. All four compared providers support staggering. Clarify before switching whether your planned staggering is also possible with the new provider.