Pillar 2: The Swiss Pension System Explained for American Expats
This article is part two of a three-part series. Each article will dive into one part of the Swiss pension system.
Pillar 2: Employment Pension
Coming from the United States, you may be familiar with the concept of a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan; the second Pillar is somewhat similar. The Swiss Pillar 2 can include two parts:
1. Mandatory benefits (BVG/LPP)
2. Voluntary benefits
Pillar 2 contributions are mandatory for all employees and employers in Switzerland who are 24 years old with an annual salary of 21,510 CHF (2021). The employer must pay at least half of the contributions, while self-employed individuals may make voluntary payments into the system.
Contributions
Mandatory contributions to Pillar 2 depend on your age:
- 25 to 34 years old: 7%
- 2. 35 to 44 years old: 10%
- 3. 45 to 54 years old: 15%
- 4. 55 to 65 years (or 64 for women): 18%
It is very common for Swiss employers to offer higher contributions or a supplementary plan to increase retirement benefits. It is important to be aware of how the additional contributions or supplementary plans will affect your US taxes and reporting requirements.
Taxation — Contribution Years
Switzerland: The employee contribution from your salary (50% of the total contribution based on the percentages above) is not taxed. When you retire or withdraw funds, your Pillar 2 contributions will be subject to taxation.
US Taxation: One of the most unpleasant surprises for Americans living and working in Switzerland is that the US-Swiss Tax Treaty does not include a provision to recognize the Pillar 2 pension as US qualified. While the concept is like a US 401(k)/403(b) it is not recognized as a US “qualified retirement plan.” This is due to the fact that the employer’s contribution is immediately funded and vested. The result is no tax deduction for your (employee) contributions and additional taxable income from your annual employer contributions. The result is often additional tax liability due when filing your US tax return.
In this example, you can quickly see that the starting calculation for taxable compensation is very different in Switzerland and the US. The employee’s base salary is the same, but the taxable difference is 30,000.
Taxation — Withdrawal
When you leave or retire in Switzerland, you have two options for receiving your Pillar 2 pension:
1. Monthly Pillar 2 annuity (at retirement only):
a. Switzerland:
i. Resident of Switzerland: This will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates. The Swiss tax will provide an additional foreign tax credit for the US tax return
ii. Nonresidents: Switzerland will only tax the annuity if there is no income tax treaty with the country or the tax treaty foresees the taxation right in Switzerland (this is not the case with the Swiss-US treaty)
iii. Important Note: Taxation principles may be different for pension funds from public services
b. US Taxation: You can recover a portion of your US tax basis with each payment. Any amount beyond your basis will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates. The Swiss tax you owe allow for a foreign tax credit on your US tax return
2. Lump-Sum Withdrawal (at retirement or when departing Switzerland):
a. Switzerland:
i. Residents: Extremely favorable lump-sum rates, which vary depending on the place of tax residency at the time of pay-out. Expect a tax rate in the range of 4–15%
ii. Nonresidents: Lump-sum taxation rates will be used. If you are a resident of the US when receiving the pension distribution, the Swiss taxes withheld will be refundable.
b. US Taxation: Any excess of your US tax basis will be taxed at US ordinary income tax rates.
Pro Tip: Work with your financial advisor or US tax accountant to ensure you are closely tracking your employee and employer contributions every year to avoid paying additional US tax at distribution. Use the White Lighthouse Pension tracker to get started, find it on our website.
Pension Rollovers
If you change jobs while living in Switzerland, you will rollover your old employer’s Pillar 2 pension into your new employer’s Pillar 2 pension. If you have been reporting your Pillar 2 correctly on your US tax return, this should not trigger a substantive taxable event.
If you take a career break, your Pillar 2 account may be transferred from your former employer to a blocked account. Many Americans are forced to keep this account in cash due to limited investment options. Many advertised options are taxed punitively in the US. VIAC has recently come up as an option that may offer some attractive investment options for Americans and at a low cost. Proceed with caution and talk to a US tax or financial planner professional before selecting any investment options.
Other US Tax Reporting
Along with picking up your annual employer pension contributions, be sure to include your Pillar 2 balance on US Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets.
Summary
Unfortunately, the US does not recognize the Swiss Pillar 2 account as a “qualified retirement plan,” leaving Americans working and retiring in Switzerland with a tax imbalance. Think of it like “pre-paying” your US taxes, and if you accrue a large Pillar 2 balance before you depart Switzerland, you will likely pay less US tax than taking a large sum distribution and triggering higher US ordinary income tax rates. Your situation is unique, so be sure to speak to your US financial and tax advisors to optimize planning around the Swiss Pillar pension system.
Read our article about Pillar 1 here
Read our article about Pillar 3 here
About the Authors
Arielle Tucker is a Certified Financial Planner™ and IRS Enrolled Agent specializing in serving American Expats living and working in Switzerland. Arielle works at White Lighthouse Investment Management, a fee-only cross-border financial planning firm. Selim Bucher is the Founder & Tax Partner of Taxperts.ch. Selim is a licensed and certified fiduciary under Swiss federal legislation. His firm supports US & Swiss tax preparation, and mobility services
Additional Resources & References:
· AXA Pillar 2: https://www.axa.ch/en/pension/pillar-2.html
· VIAC: https://viac.ch/en/vested-benefits/
· US-Swiss Tax Treaty Documents: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/switzerland-tax-treaty-documents
· Meaning and objectives of occupational pension funds: https://www.bsv.admin.ch/bsv/en/home/social-insurance/bv/grundlagen-und-gesetze/grundlagen/sinn-und-zweck.html
· Swiss Life Conversion Table Rates: https://www.swisslife.ch/content/dam/ch/dokumente/en/unternehmen/nvs/vorsorge/web0762_konditionen_slbp_en.pdf
· KPMG 2021 US Tax Implications Novartis Pension Plans: https://www.pensionskassen-novartis.ch/fileadmin/pkn/Praesentationen/2021/Pension_-_US_persons_-_Novartis_-_2021.pdf