Marriage and Money in Switzerland: Property Regime, Taxes and Pensions
How the default property regime works, what marriage changes for taxes and AHV, and why a contract can help.
6 min read · Life Events & Family
Marriage changes your finances in several ways. It helps to know the rules before the wedding.
The property regime
By default, couples live under participation in acquired property. Each spouse keeps their own property (assets from before the marriage, inheritances and gifts) and their acquisitions (income earned during the marriage). On divorce or death, acquisitions are generally shared equally. A marriage contract can change this, for example to give the surviving spouse more.
- Cash and savingsCHF 30’000 · 10 %
- InvestmentsCHF 80’000 · 27 %
- Pillar 3aCHF 40’000 · 13 %
- Pension fund (vested benefits)CHF 150’000 · 50 %
Example with default values. Open the calculator →
Taxes
Married couples are taxed jointly. Depending on income and canton, this can raise or lower the total tax compared with two single people; the federal government has been working on reforms to reduce penalties. Compare using your canton's tax calculator.
Pensions
- AHV: couples receive together at most 150 % of the maximum single pension, but income splitting and bonuses for care may apply.
- The pension fund provides a partner's pension; unmarried partners have fewer rights.
- Divorce splits pension fund assets built during the marriage.
Housing and debts
For the family home, both spouses must agree to a sale or mortgage. You are not liable for your partner's separate debts, but you may share household costs.
Take stock of your combined position with the net worth calculator.