How to keep my pension fund after becoming self-employed

I am working towards leaving my 9 to 5 and becoming self-employed as a freelancer. Does anyone know of a way that I can keep my current pension fund after leaving my employer? Is there any way I can keep contributing to the second pillar?

Hi there,

Swiss 2a occupational pension funds are connected to employers rather than employees and generally do not allow self-employed or unemployed individuals to participate.

However there are a number of solutions which allow you to continue contributing to your second pillar pension savings on a voluntary basis. The term "2b" is often used in reference to voluntary second pillar pension funds.

Examples of 2b solutions include the SE pension plan for self-employed individuals and the WO and WG pension plans - all available from the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution. The 2b voluntary occupational pension fund plans from Agrisano Prevos, which caters specifically to self-employed farmers, is another example.

If you are unable to obtain membership in a 2b pension plan, you have the choice of either cashing out your 2a pension fund savings upon becoming self-employed, or placing your savings in a vested benefits account until you gain access to a new second pillar pension fund.

Best regards from Moneyguru

More on this topic:
Vested benefits account comparison
3a retirement account comparison