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Life event

I’m going self-employed

When you’re self-employed, nobody contributes for you. Illness, accident, retirement: it all rests on your shoulders. Better to get organised from the start.

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What to sort out

  1. AVS contributions. Register with a compensation fund for the AVS (state pension, 1st pillar). You pay your contributions yourself, in instalments.
  2. 2nd pillar (optional). The LPP (occupational pension, 2nd pillar) is not compulsory for the self-employed. You can join voluntarily.
  3. Accident insurance. Without an employer, you are no longer covered by the LAA (accident insurance). You can include accident cover in your health insurance, or take out voluntary LAA cover.
  4. Loss of earnings due to illness. If you are off work, nobody pays you a salary. A daily allowance protects your income.
  5. Professional liability insurance. It covers damage caused to your clients or to third parties in the course of your work.
  6. Third pillar. Without a 2nd pillar, you can pay up to 20% of your income into pillar 3a, up to a maximum of CHF 36,288 in 2026.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting to register with the AVS (state pension, 1st pillar) and later receiving a demand for back contributions with interest.
  • Not planning for loss of earnings, and ending up with no income after a few weeks off work.
  • Not knowing that the pillar 3a ceiling is higher without a 2nd pillar, and missing out on a significant deduction.

What I do for you

I review your whole situation: accident, loss of earnings, pensions and taxes. We spot the gaps in your safety net and fill them, with nothing superfluous.

Frequently asked questions

I’m also employed part-time. Do I pay AVS contributions twice?

Yes, on two different incomes. Your employer deducts contributions from your salary, and you contribute yourself on your self-employed income. Both count towards your AVS pension.

Is professional liability insurance compulsory?

It depends on your activity: some professions require it by law. As soon as you have clients, the question is worth asking.

How do I set my AVS instalments in the first year?

The compensation fund asks you for an estimate of your income. Be realistic: instalments that are too low lead to a catch-up payment with interest.

In collaboration with Callenium GmbH, a non-tied insurance intermediary.

Going it alone? Let’s check together that nothing is missing.

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