Hi all,

I just read in a reply to a different thread that as a self-employed person, you can "legally take the funds in your pension fund to get going".

Does anyone know how this works and where is the first port of call?

Thank 'ee muchly for any help you can give here.

Sarneraa

The first port of call is your Swiss pension fund.

In my opinion, this is extremely risky! If you fail you will be living hand to mouth on the street! Can you not continue working and save up for the start capital.

I only have three years' contributions, and would like a tiny, widgey portion of it, just to help with the first couple of month's rent for my business property. And anyway, failure is not an option... if I fail, I'll be on the street whether I take the fund or not. Don't fancy going down that route...so let's not go there.

OK... I've done some research elsewhere on this and have found the following info, in case anyone else is interested.

It is possible to use BVG money to finance self employment, once you have been accepted as self-employed by the AHV.

However, if you are contributing to the AHV pot via any other means, eg if you are employed part-time and are self-employed for the remainder of your time, it is not possible to get access to the fund.

Sadly, the latter applies to me! I would personally rather use some of my meagre pension fund to help my self-employment now with a view to replacing it over the coming years once my business is a runaway success ... but there ya go...

Hi there,

Plus as a self employed person you will be able to make more contributions to your fund once you start making a profit. as self employed you can pay in up to 30,000chf per year and offset this against your taxable income.

Best of luck

Christopher