PensUnit collective foundation

Freedom of design through splitting

We are living in times of massive and non-systemic redistributions of occupational provisions. Split pension models do not accommodate these unwanted redistributions. The extra mandatory component of occupational provisions is managed in a separate 1e pension foundation – known as 1e models – for pension solutions with a free choice of investment strategy. PensFlex lets you decide whether to bring your current extra mandatory pension credit from your former pension fund to the new PensFlex 1e solution.

Attractive risk premiums

Pure savings plans are not allowed for management pension provisions. Risk benefits are also insured as per the concept of precaution. At least 4% of total contributions for risk benefits must be used for the risk insurance. All PensFlex death and disability risk benefits are 100% reinsured with Mobiliar. As the PensFlex collective foundation has had a very positive claims experience since its foundation in 2000, you benefit from extremely attractive risk premiums as the insured party.

Tax advantage 1: Employer contributions account for over half of the total

With a “Bel Etage” pension solution, the employer pays the lion’s share of the financing. Extra employer financing for executive pension contributions instead of a salary increase adds genuine value through the tax relief for the employer and employee.

Tax advantage 2: Employer contribution reserves

Your company can accumulate employer contribution reserves through our Bel-Etage foundations. This is beneficial for the following reasons: You can reduce your company’s profit when earnings are high by accumulating reserves. You can then fall back on these statutory employer contribution reserves during times that are more difficult.

The tax authorities in most cantons will accept the accumulation of an employer contribution reserve of up to five times the annual employer contribution. 

Tax advantage 3: Collective fluctuation reserves

As the employer, you must accumulate a collective fluctuation reserve for your pension fund in our Bel-Etage foundation PensUnit. This serves as a buffer against any cover deficit in your management pension fund. The reserve's target volume depends on the selected investment strategy.

Tax advantage 4: AHV salary versus dividend

• The advantages of an AHV salary are as follows: The higher the company owner’s AHV salary, the better the risk benefits for death and disability and the higher the 2nd pillar retirement benefits. In addition: The higher the insured AHV salary, the greater the management pension purchase gaps and the greater the tax benefit in making up the shortfall.

• The advantages of dividend distribution: The dividends receive preferential tax treatment if the shareholder has a participation of at least 10%.

As a company owner, should you pay a higher AHV salary or a higher dividend? There is no simple answer to that as it depends on each specific case. 

The pension fund selects the right investment strategy

In addition to a low-risk savings investment account, PensUnit offers your pension fund various legally compliant and risk-profile based investment strategies. Each insured member participates equally in the investment result of the selected strategy.

Selected and specialized partner banks also offer tailored investment strategies with individual stocks and/or pure funds and ETF’s. Such investment solutions are implemented under a discretionary asset management mandate. The following banks belong to our selected partner network:

• Reichmuth & Co. Private Bankers

• Bank Vontobel Ltd.

• Bordier & Cie

• Rothschild & Co

• Lombard Odier

• Julius Bär & Co. Ltd

• Zähringer Privatbank AG

What is a pension insurance scheme?

A pension insurance scheme is an affiliated company within a pension fund. This includes the employer, the employees (assured persons) and the pension beneficiaries. More than 300 independent pension funds are affiliated with PensUnit.

Free choice of investment, also for the reserves

The collective fluctuations reserves to be established by the employer as well as the voluntary employer’s contribution can be managed under a separate deposit for the pension fund. The pension fund can also select the investment strategy independently for each deposit.

Here you find an overview of the available investment funds

Strategy profiles

• Performance Overview as of 31.08.2023