Five tips for your retirement planning if you don’t have much money to spare
Many people don’t have the maximum amount of CHF 7056 per year for their pillar 3a, which would provide them with a cushion for their life after retirement at 65 (women: 64) We live in the here and now, and if money’s scarce, it’s quite normal to have other worries and goals than saving for old age.
These simple tips show you how to juggle the cost of living and retirement planning on a tight budget, and why retirement planning makes sense even with small amounts of money:
It’s particularly worthwhile to start as early as possible if you have little money to spare, because time is your friend. The more time you have available, the more scope you’ll have to build up reserves, as your money will work for you for longer.
It doesn’t matter whether you have CHF 1, CHF 50, CHF 100 or more left per month. If you start saving and stick with it, you’ll fare better than if you hold off in the hope of maybe having more money to put aside in the future. The best approach is to set up a standing order. That way, you won’t even notice that you’re saving, and you won’t have to worry about it every month.
By the way, you can start saving with frankly if you are 18 years old and live in Switzerland. How to build up substantial reserves even with small amounts.
Premise:
Equity component 75%, hypothetical return per year 3.9% (net after costs).
Securities savings may fluctuate, the hypothetical return cannot be guaranteed, and tax effects are not included in this forecast.
When saving for retirement, you need above all to make regular payments. It’s just like keeping fit. If your goal is too high, your motivation will drop or you won’t start at all.
Research has shown that motivation and habit play a decisive role in dealing with money. Here’s how it might work:
It’s important to draw up a budget and get rid of unnecessary drains on your finances, especially if you don’t have much money to spare. Budgets don’t have to be complicated. Good templates are available, for example, from budget advisory services or in your bank’s eBanking (e.g. the ZKB financial assistant). The aim of your budget is to give you an overview and to identify savings opportunities that can then feed into your pension.
What are the most common drains on your finances?
You can use the taxes you save to immediately increase your pension amount and thus benefit twice over
Thanks to your pillar 3a, you save tax every year, as you can deduct your deposits in full from your taxable income up to the maximum contribution of CHF 7056 per year.
Tax savings with CHF 50,000 income*
Without pillar 3a: you pay CHF 5,249 in tax
With pillar 3a payments of CHF 100 per month:
Your tax savings: CHF 228
With pillar 3a payments of CHF 588 per month (maximum amount CHF 7056)
Your tax savings: CHF 1,277
*ZKB tax calculator, income CHF 50,000, single, no children, City of Zurich, Reformed Church
If you know in advance how much tax you’ll save with your pillar 3a in the same year, you can pay your tax savings into your pillar 3a up to a maximum of CHF 7056 and thus benefit twice over. In the example mentioned above, the person could invest the CHF 228 in tax savings in their pillar 3a at the beginning of the next year, as well as saving CHF 100 per month, and thus increase their contribution without denting their budget.
If your pillar 3a is in securities, the fees, including product costs, can significantly reduce your returns. Even if it takes some time, it’s worth comparing the different providers and choosing the most cost-effective solution that already includes the product costs. That way you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises.
The easiest way to achieve your retirement savings goal is to set up a monthly standing order for your pillar 3a. Specify your savings amount and have it transferred directly from your savings account at the end of the month.
Tip:
You can find the account details for your frankly pillar 3a under Profile > Pillar 3a. The easiest way to set up a standing order for your frankly pillar 3a is to use your bank’s eBanking service.
No matter how much money you earn, it’s not that hard to save for your retirement if you put your mind to it.
Benefit now from CHF 35.-* voucher + a chance to win CHF 1,000 >
Knowledge
© Sparen 3 pension foundation of Zürcher Kantonalbank
and Vested Benefits Foundation of Zürcher Kantonalbank
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