Preparing for retirement — Monsieur Hard, Lausanne

The key steps

Your expected pensions. Request your AVS (state pension, 1st pillar) account statement and read your LPP (occupational pension, 2nd pillar) certificate. Add up what is expected.
The gap. Compare this income with your current spending. The gap tells you what remains to be filled.
The third pillar. Check whether you pay in the maximum allowed. With several pillar 3a accounts, withdrawals can be spread over several years.
LPP buy-ins. If you have gaps, a voluntary buy-in improves your benefits and is deductible from your taxable income.
The withdrawal. Lump sum, pension or both: each option has tax and wealth consequences. The choice is prepared several years in advance.

Common mistakes

Waiting until 60 to ask the question. By then, your room for manoeuvre is limited.
Never requesting your AVS statement, and discovering missing contribution years too late.
Withdrawing all your pillar 3a accounts in the same year, and paying more tax than necessary.

What I do for you

I project your income in retirement: AVS, LPP, third pillar and other savings. We measure the gap with your spending, then look at the options for narrowing it.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should you start preparing for retirement?

Ideally around 45. That leaves about twenty years to adjust your contributions, fill gaps and prepare your withdrawals.

Pension or lump sum: how do I choose?

A pension pays a regular income for life. A lump sum gives more freedom, but requires rigorous management. The choice depends on your wealth, your family and your attitude to risk.

Can I still make an LPP buy-in after 55?

Yes, as long as you have gaps. The amounts bought in cannot be withdrawn as a lump sum for 3 years. An earlier withdrawal can cancel the tax deduction.

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