Written by Lukas Bachmann
How to Read Your Pension Fund Statement: The Ultimate Guide
Every year in January, it arrives in your mailbox: your pension fund statement. Many put it aside unread – a mistake! Because this document shows you in black and white where you stand financially for the future. In this article, you will learn why it is worth investing those few minutes and what the individual numbers and terms really mean.
We have created a sample of a typical pension fund statement. In this blog, we go into the individual numbers and figures and explain how you can interpret them.
The Key Numbers on Your Pension Fund Statement
Annual salary
Your insured salary forms the basis for your pension fund contributions and benefits. It is usually your gross annual salary minus the coordination deduction.
Coordination deduction
This is the portion of your salary that is considered covered by AHV. In 2026, it is CHF 25,725. The coordination deduction reduces your insured salary.
Insured salary
Your annual salary minus the coordination deduction. This is the amount on which your contributions and benefits are calculated.
Savings balance
This is the capital you have accumulated so far. It grows through your regular savings contributions and employer contributions plus interest.
Interest rate on savings
The interest rate your pension fund credits to your savings balance. Compare it with other pension funds – differences of 1-2% per year make a huge difference over decades.
Purchased years (buy-ins)
Voluntary contributions you can make to close gaps or improve your benefits. These are tax-deductible.
Projected retirement pension
An estimate of your future pension based on current savings and projections. This is not a guarantee – it depends on future interest rates and your further contributions.
Why You Should Definitely Read Your Statement
Your pension fund statement tells you:
- Whether you are on track for retirement
- Whether you have coverage gaps
- Whether voluntary buy-ins make sense
- Whether your pension fund is performing well compared to others
Tip: Compare the interest rate on your savings balance with the average of other pension funds. If your pension fund is permanently below average, switching may be an option.
Common Misunderstandings
"The projected pension sounds low – will I really get that little?"
The projection is usually based on conservative assumptions. Many pension funds calculate with an interest rate of 2-3%. If your fund performs better, your pension may be higher.
"I cannot change anything anyway."
You can influence your pension: through voluntary buy-ins, choice of savings plan (if your fund offers one), and comparison with other funds when changing jobs.
"The statement is too complicated for me to understand."
That is exactly why we wrote this guide. Go through the numbers step by step. If you still have questions, we are happy to help.
Conclusion
Your pension fund statement is one of the most important documents for your retirement planning. The ten minutes it takes to read it are among the best invested time for your financial future. Keep the statement, compare it with the previous year, and note any changes.
Would you like a professional review of your pension fund situation? In our retirement planning, we review your pension fund together with all other provision components.