Business · Economy · 11 hrs ago
Swiss retirees face major tax differences between municipalities
A comparison of taxes across all Swiss municipalities found large differences for retired couples.
It modelled a couple aged 65 who receive 500,000 francs from pension savings, have 80,000 francs in yearly pension income and own one million francs in assets.
The couple would pay less than 85,000 francs in every Zug municipality over 20 years.
In Les Verrières, in the canton of Neuchâtel, the bill would be 416,530 francs, 337,161 francs more than in Baar, Zug.
The gap reflects taxes on pension withdrawals, yearly income and wealth, and it remains substantial even for couples with lower income and assets.
Where retirees live can strongly affect their tax bill, while inheritance taxes may also differ for unmarried partners; the comparison gives no further steps or policy changes.
A tax comparison found large differences in how much retired couples pay across Swiss municipalities.
The comparison by Getrates.ch used figures from the Federal Tax Administration and modelled taxes over 20 years.
Its sample couple was 65 years old, received CHF 500,000 in pension and Pillar 3a capital, and had CHF 80,000 in annual pension income and CHF 1 million in assets.
The lowest-tax municipalities were all in the canton of Zug, while the highest-tax municipalities were all in Neuchâtel.
In Les Verrières, the model couple would pay CHF 416,530 over 20 years, CHF 337,161 more than in Baar.
- Who
- Retired married couples, as represented by the model couple in the comparison.
- What
- A comparison found major differences in retirement-related taxes between Swiss municipalities.
- When
- Published on October 15, 2026. The comparison calculated taxes over a 20-year retirement.
- Where
- Municipalities across Switzerland.
- Why
- Tax bills depend on the municipality of residence, including taxes on pension capital, income and assets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The couple pays tax on pension-fund and Pillar 3a capital withdrawals, separately from other income and at a reduced rate.
Taxes on pension income and assets are paid annually; the comparison totals them over 20 years.
Heirs may face inheritance-related charges, depending on their relationship to the deceased and the canton.
- Lowest-tax canton
- Zug; all 11 municipalities had totals below CHF 85,000
- Highest-tax municipality
- Les Verrières, Neuchâtel: CHF 416,530 over 20 years
- Comparison gap
- CHF 337,161 between Les Verrières and Baar
- Model couple
- Both aged 65; CHF 500,000 in capital withdrawals
- Annual finances
- CHF 80,000 pension income and CHF 1 million in assets