Relief Package 27: no weakening of the three-pillar system
On 4 March 2026, the National Council confirmed the cancellation of the tax increase on pension capital withdrawals. This was provided for in relief package 27.
The SIA welcomes the cancellation of the tax in-crease on pension capital withdrawals.
With this decision, Parliament is strengthening confidence in personal responsibility for providing for old age, death and disability.
An expenditure problem, not a revenue one
Despite significant criticism during the consultation process, the Federal Council had insisted on the tax increase on capital withdrawals from the second and third pillars. This measure would have unnecessarily weakened private pension provision and thus the three-pillar system. It would also have been misguided, as the federal government has an expenditure problem, not a revenue problem. Parliament – first the Council of States, now also the National Council – has corrected this accordingly and removed the measure from relief package 27.
Decision in favour of the middle class
The tax increase would have placed a burden primarily on people who have made responsible provisions for their retirement and on the middle class. With this decision, parliament is sending an important signal in favour of reliable framework conditions. The consolidation of the federal budget, supported by the SIA must be achieved through clear priorities and spending discipline – not through higher taxes or a weakening of the second and third pillars.
