The most important things first
From age 50, financial planning pays off especially, because there is still time until retirement to coordinate Pillar 3a, pension fund, asset allocation and the desired retirement. The text shows: many Swiss would have made individual decisions earlier or differently in hindsight, especially regarding retirement provisions, investments and the retirement timing. That is exactly why planning should not be viewed in isolation but as a complete picture and updated regularly.
At Baeriswyl Beratungen we repeatedly see in practice: once people thoroughly calculate their situation at 50, 55 or 60 for the first time, connections become visible that hardly anyone had on the radar before. This concerns not only numbers but also priorities, leeway and the order of decisions.
Why does financial planning become so important after 50?
The 2026 Raiffeisen & ZHAW retirement barometer shows a clear pattern: almost every second respondent between 51 and 79 would act at least partially differently in financial retirement planning. Almost always it concerns earlier contributions to Pillar 3a, different investment of retirement assets, pension fund purchases and earlier retirement planning.
Clean financial planning starts exactly here. It makes visible which decisions have an impact today, how different variants affect one another and where late catch-up is hardly possible.
Which retirement decisions are most commonly regretted?
| Topic | Observation |
|---|---|
| Pillar 3a | 19% of those over 50 would have started earlier or contributed more. |
| Retirement assets | 18% of men over 50 would have invested more in equities, among women it was 5%. |
| Pension fund purchase | 12% of men and 8% of women would have used this option more. |
| Retirement planning | 31% of those aged 51–65 know roughly their income in retirement, about a fifth have not yet addressed it concretely. |
The figures show that it is rarely a lack of good intentions, but often too late an entry or a lack of overall overview. Those who plan retirement only shortly before leaving lose room for maneuver in retirement provisions, taxes and capital withdrawal.
What does earlier retirement planning bring?
A particularly striking result: 52% of those aged 51–65 would like to retire before the statutory reference age. At the same time, many are unsure whether this is financially feasible. A gap arises between wish and reality, which only several years of planning can neatly resolve.
For a robust retirement plan, AHV, pension fund, Pillar 3a, free assets, securities, home ownership, mortgage, taxes and the future budget are considered together. Only this interplay shows whether retirement at 60, 62, 63 or 65 is realistic.
What role do Pillar 3a, pension fund, and capital withdrawal play?
Pillar 3a is not only about whether to pay in at all, but also how the retirement assets are invested. The suitable mix depends on investment horizon, risk tolerance, other assets, the number of 3a vessels and the planned withdrawal.
The same applies to pension fund purchases: they can increase retirement benefits and reduce the tax base, but are not automatically the best solution. Before a purchase, the solvency of the fund, the return, a later capital withdrawal and the overall financial planning must be considered.
Also the question of pension vs. capital cannot be answered generically. Key factors include life expectancy, family situation, asset structure, flexibility, tax consequences and the specific terms of your pension fund.
What does Baeriswyl Beratungen practice show?
Feedback to Baeriswyl Beratungen makes clear what independent advice should achieve: clarity about retirement, a better understanding of the retirement situation, identification of gaps and concrete actions. Crucially, no products are sold; connections become visible.
Baeriswyl Beratungen GmbH combines personal counseling with digital financial planning, over 100 explainers, financial calculators, knowledge tools and interactive planning scenarios. This makes it possible to calculate and compare different paths not only, but also to understand and update them later.
When should financial planning be updated?
Financial planning is not a one-off calculation valid until retirement. Income, assets, mortgages, pension fund benefits, taxes and even personal goals change over the years.
Thus planning is more like navigation: the initial assessment shows the path, regular updates show whether you are still on track. This is especially important with salary or pension changes, a job change, buying property or if the desired retirement timing shifts.
Frequently asked questions
Is financial planning at 50 still worthwhile?
Is a pension fund purchase always worthwhile?
Should I take my pension fund as a pension or as capital?
How often should I review my financial planning?
Those who arrange retirement decisions early reduce the risk of later regret and create more room for their own retirement. A good financial plan shows not only what is possible, but also the long-term consequences of every decision.
Especially for financial planning after 50, it is not about a single tip but about the interplay of all building blocks. Those who keep an overview can decide more confidently and consciously shape the transition to retirement.
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Baeriswyl Beratungen GmbH, Freiburg