Financial advice for women: Your path to financial independence

Women in Switzerland receive on average a third less pension than men in retirement, around CHF 20,000 less per year. At the same time, the share of Swiss women who invest their money independently is growing by almost 20 percent in a single year. These figures illustrate both the challenges and the changes in women’s financial situation.

Targeted financial advice can be central to closing existing gaps and building financial independence at every stage of life.

Key points at a glance

• A study by Swiss Life (2024) puts the gender pension gap in Switzerland at around a third, with women pensioners receiving about CHF 20,000 less per year than male retirees
• The main cause lies in differing employment histories: part-time work, career breaks and lower wages are reflected in the pension
• In occupational pension provision (2nd pillar), the gap is particularly pronounced at 67 percent, according to Bern University of Applied Sciences
• The share of women who invest in Switzerland is rising markedly, according to YouGov/BlackRock (2024), yet only one in three women invests, while more than one in two men do
• Strategic financial planning across all stages of life can minimize pension gaps and lead to financial independence over the long term

Financial challenges at different stages of life

The pension gap is based above all on the income differences during working life. In the years before retirement, women in Switzerland earn on average 40 to 50 percent less than men, a difference that feeds directly into their retirement benefits.

In occupational pension provision (2nd pillar) the gap is especially severe. The Federal Statistical Office documents that four out of ten Swiss women work part-time, which results in lower pension fund contributions. More frequent career breaks add to this, leaving gaps in pension contributions.

Starting a career: capital for building wealth later

The start of a career is financially decisive, as this is where the foundation for long-term wealth accumulation is laid. Those who begin early benefit considerably from the compound interest effect. A model calculation illustrates this: with monthly contributions of 300 francs and an average return of 5 percent, the capital grows to around 400,000 francs after 40 years. With the same savings rate but only 20 years of investment, the final amount falls to about 120,000 francs.

Reading tip: How to build a career in the finance industry as a young professional

Family planning: shaping your career path deliberately

Family planning is often the point at which the working lives of women and men begin to diverge significantly. An analysis of pension fund statistics shows the long-term effects: if a woman reduces her workload from 100 to 60 percent (on an annual salary of 84,000 francs over ten years), pension fund gaps of more than 100,000 francs arise. These consist of lower contributions and a correspondingly lower pension.

When planning a family, it is therefore important to consider the long-term financial impact and to develop strategies together with your partner that let both of you stay meaningfully in work.

Separation or divorce: a new financial reality

In the event of a divorce, it is not only the vision of a shared life that falls apart for many women, but often their financial security as well. The Federal Supreme Court has adjusted its case law on maintenance (BGE 144 III 481): it no longer takes the traditional family model with lifelong maintenance payments as its reference point, but expects greater economic self-reliance.

A financial analysis after separation should therefore examine two central aspects: the short-term security of living costs and the long-term realignment of retirement provision. The division of pension fund assets in a divorce does offer a degree of protection, but is often not enough to fully close existing pension gaps.

Before retirement: making the most of final optimizations

Five to ten years before retirement, there are final opportunities to optimize retirement provision. Buying into the pension fund can bring considerable tax advantages.

Experts also recommend carrying out a comprehensive pension analysis at this stage to ensure that every avenue for optimization is used.

Understanding and using the Swiss pension system

The Swiss pension system, with its three pillars, holds particular challenges and opportunities for women:

1. The first pillar (AHV) has a balancing effect and, thanks to child-raising credits and the income-splitting principle for married couples, shows hardly any gender-specific differences. Even so, women should regularly request an AHV account statement in order to identify and close contribution gaps early.
2. The second pillar (occupational pension provision) represents the greatest challenge for many women. In 2025 the entry threshold stands at 22,680 francs in annual income, which puts part-time employees at a particular disadvantage. The coordination deduction of 26,460 francs further reduces the insured income. Anyone who works for several employers and reaches the entry threshold with none of them should check whether a voluntary insurance solution (for example through a collective foundation) is possible in order to avoid gaps in retirement provision.
3. The third pillar (private pension provision) gives women the opportunity to provide for themselves on their own terms. In 2025, employed persons with a pension fund can pay up to 7,258 francs into Pillar 3a and deduct the amount from their taxable income. For long-term wealth building, experts recommend Pillar 3a solutions with a securities component, as these offer significantly higher return potential over longer periods than pure savings accounts.

Making active use of child-raising and care credits

The AHV has specific balancing mechanisms for care work: child-raising credits are applied automatically when children under 16 are being cared for. Care credits for looking after relatives, on the other hand, must be claimed each year. These credits are particularly important for women, as they take on care responsibilities far more often than average.

Finding the right financial advice

Professional financial advice is distinguished by several quality features:

• Independence: The advice should be free of any interest in selling products. Look for transparent fee-based models rather than commission-based compensation.
• Expertise: Ask about qualifications, professional experience and specializations, especially in the field of women’s finances.
• Empathy: A good advisor listens, understands your individual situation and adapts their recommendations accordingly.
• Transparency: All costs, risks and opportunities should be communicated clearly. Ask for concrete explanations whenever anything is unclear.

Specialized advisory services in Switzerland

In Switzerland, various institutions offer specialized financial advice for women.

The women’s organizations in the larger cities provide professional advisory services on pension and budget questions. These services usually include both personal conversations and written analyses of an individual’s pension situation.

Alongside these, there are independent financial advisors who specialize in women’s needs. They often combine expertise in finance with experience of women’s specific financial topics, and can address subjects such as part-time work, career breaks or the financial situation after a separation in particular.

Key questions for the advisory meeting

To prepare for an advisory meeting, you should clarify the following questions:

• How is the advice remunerated? (fee, commission or a combination)
• What specific qualifications and experience in the field of women’s finances does the advisor bring?
• How comprehensive is the advice? Does it cover all three pillars and additional wealth building?
• Which specific documents are needed for the advice?
• What follow-up support is provided after the advice itself?

Tips and myths about investing

The catch-up of Swiss women investors

The latest YouGov/BlackRock study (2024) points to a clear shift: while the share of Swiss women who invest rose by 19 percent in a single year, the gender gap in investing nevertheless remains clear. Only about one in three women invests in securities, while more than one in two men do.

With 45 percent of people investing overall, Switzerland is at the top of the European rankings, only just behind the Scandinavian countries. Among young women in particular (aged 18 to 24), the study records strong growth of 36 percent.

ETFs: ideal for getting started

ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are especially popular among Swiss women investors. They offer several advantages that make them particularly attractive for those starting out:

• Broadly diversified portfolios reduce risk compared with individual shares
• Low management costs compared with actively managed funds
• High transparency regarding the securities they contain
• Flexibility on entry and exit through daily exchange trading

With popular ETFs such as the MSCI World Index, investors achieved an average annual return of 9.4 percent over the past ten years, at significantly lower risk than with individual shares.

Reading tip : The most important Swiss share indices at a glance

Getting started with manageable amounts

The assumption that investing requires large sums no longer reflects today’s reality. Current market analyses show that digitalization in the financial sector has significantly lowered the barriers to entry. Numerous online providers now make it possible to start with monthly contributions from as little as 10 francs.

Financial models illustrate the long-term effects of regular small amounts: with a monthly savings plan of 100 francs in a broadly diversified ETF, a sum of around 80,000 francs can accumulate over a period of 30 years at an average annual return of 5 percent. Regular investing of this kind can therefore contribute substantially to long-term financial security.

Practical steps towards financial independence

1. Take stock of your finances

The first concrete step towards financial independence is an honest financial review. Record all income, expenses, assets and liabilities.

• Fixed costs (rent, insurance, taxes)
• Variable costs (food, clothing, leisure)
• Savings goals (short, medium and long term)

Finance apps that categorize spending automatically can be a useful tool here.

2. Build protection against financial risks

Before you invest in building wealth, you should protect yourself against financial risks. This includes an emergency fund of three to six months’ salary in a separate account with quick access. It provides security in the event of unexpected expenses or a loss of income.

Adequate insurance cover is also important. Review your protection in the event of disability and death, especially if you have a family or have to cover your living costs on your own.

3. Implement strategic pension planning

Optimize your retirement provision systematically across all three pillars:

• AHV: Request an AHV account statement every three years and close any contribution gaps.
• Pension fund: Check whether your pension fund takes part-time work into account fairly and whether the coordination deduction is reduced proportionately. Consider voluntary buy-ins if your financial situation allows.
• Pillar 3a: Make use of the option to pay up to 7,258 francs (as of 2025) into Pillar 3a each year. For long-term growth, a solution with a securities component is advisable.
• Pillar 3b: Supplement your provision with unrestricted saving and investing, for example in ETFs or direct investments.

4. Plan your working life over the long term

Your employment history has a decisive influence on your later pension. Studies show that an average workload of at least 70 percent across an entire working life can significantly reduce pension gaps.

If a reduction in your workload, for example to look after children, becomes necessary, you should aim for a fair division of care responsibilities and paid work together with your partner. The Swiss Life study confirms that equal partnerships lead to a more balanced pension situation.

5. Invest in financial knowledge

Sound financial knowledge forms the basis for self-determined decisions. Women with good financial knowledge invest more often than women without such knowledge.

Make use of high-quality sources for further learning (specialist books, workshops, courses, podcasts) and approach your financial planning step by step.

Conclusion: shaping your own finances actively

Women who take an active role in their finances can reshape their financial future. The growing number of women investors in Switzerland shows that more and more women are taking control of their financial situation.

The most important steps are deliberate career planning, the systematic use of all pension pillars and an early start in investing. Independent financial advice can provide valuable direction here and help to develop individual strategies.

Taking action today secures lasting financial independence at every stage of life.