Why is it only possible to save up to a maximum of 25 % of the insured salary in a 1e collective foundation such as PensFlex?
Sebastien Godin: The regulator does not welcome the individualisation of occupational pensions. In particular, the Federal Administration seems to have great difficulty with the free choice of investment strategy. This is why the legislator not only limited the number of investment strategies in 2018, but also introduced an average 25 % cap on the savings process. In addition, the compounding of interest in the purchase gap calculation was prohibited for 1e plans. This is clearly unequal treatment compared to other pension funds. These are still allowed to take into account a purchase interest rate of up to 2 %.
Does this maximisation in the savings process only apply to 1e pension solutions?
SG: In fact, this regulation only applies to pension solutions with a free choice of investment strategy. However, in the overall view, i.e. basic pension fund and management pension scheme, more may also be saved.
be saved. However, the regulatory benefits at retirement age may not exceed 70 % of the insurable AHV salary.
Can an employer also have two extra-mandatory pension schemes for its managers?
SG: If the adequacy rules described above are observed, this is certainly possible. For example, a PensFlex customer can set up a PensUnit management pension scheme for its managers as a supplement and thus increase the retirement benefits.
And how high can the savings rate for PensUnit be if there is also a PensFlex plan with 25% savings?
SG: As a rule, a supplementary savings rate of 5 % to 10 % can be realised with PensUnit. However, the basic pension fund must be included in the adequacy calculation.
This would mean that up to 35 % can be saved with a combined PensFlex/PensUnit solution?
SG: Correct! At the same time, a supplementary PensUnit solution also increases the purchase gaps, which in turn gives insured persons the opportunity to expand their retirement benefits on their own responsibility with voluntary purchases and tax privileges.
And what does the tax authorities think?
SG: The tax authorities are probably not happy when employers increase the savings premiums for their employees. But even with Publica (the federal pension fund), for example, certain federal employees can enjoy a savings rate of up to 39.5 % from the age of 55.