Stop working before 58–65 and you have to bridge a gap before Säule 3a, Pensionskasse and AHV kick in. What this bridge phase costs — and how much capital it really takes.
FIRE — “Financial Independence, Retire Early” — sounds like one single big goal: enough wealth never to have to work again. In Switzerland, though, that is only half the truth, because your pension capital is locked away most of the time.
Three pots, three points in time
Your retirement capital sits in three pillars that become accessible at different times:
- Säule 3a: at the earliest five years before the AHV reference age, so typically from 60.
- Pensionskasse (pillar 2): depending on the scheme, from 58–60.
- AHV (pillar 1): regularly from 65, drawn early from 63 (with a reduction).
Retire at 50 and you face up to ten years in which not a single one of these pots pays out. That stretch is the bridge phase — and it has to be financed entirely from your freely available, taxable wealth.
What the bridge costs
During the bridge phase, costs carry on: living expenses, health insurance premiums and — often overlooked — the AHV contributions for the non-employed. The latter are based on wealth and can run to several thousand francs a year.
“Bridge capital” is the amount you need liquid at exit to cover those years until the first pension withdrawal. That is exactly the figure the Pillar Zero calculator works out first.
Rule of thumb: the earlier you exit, the longer the bridge — and the more liquid (unlocked) wealth you need on top of your pension capital.
Why “enough wealth” isn't enough
Two people with identical total wealth can be in completely different positions: whoever holds the bulk in the Pensionskasse cannot touch it during the bridge phase — whoever holds the same money in a securities account can. The split between liquid and locked wealth decides whether your early retirement holds up.
Work out your own bridge and see, year by year, where your spending is covered from.
Educational tool, not financial or tax advice. Figures are 2026 estimates without warranty.
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