How can I find out how much I have in my 2nd pillar?

Many people ask themselves the same question: how can I find out how much I have in my 2nd pillar? This capital, built up over the course of your career, often amounts to several tens or even hundreds of thousands of francs. Yet with job changes, transition periods and vested benefits accounts, it’s common to lose track of it. Understanding where your occupational pension (LPP) savings are and how to access them is essential, not only to prepare for retirement, but also to finance a property purchase in Switzerland.

Yindee Becker 4 min read · Mar 25, 2026

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How can I find out how much I have in my 2nd pillar? — Swiss pension system – 2nd pillar

Understanding how the 2nd pillar works

Before learning how to recover your assets, it’s essential to understand what the 2nd pillar actually is.

The Swiss system is based on three levels:

the 1st pillar (OASI),
the 2nd pillar (LPP),
the 3rd pillar (private savings).

The 2nd pillar is a mandatory occupational pension scheme, funded by your employer and yourself.

The second-pillar pension system — check second-pillar amount

“The second pillar isn’t just for retirement: it’s also a powerful lever for investing.”

Indeed, this capital can be used to purchase real estate, making it a key element in your wealth management strategy.

Why it’s essential to know your amount

Knowing how to find out how much I have in my 2nd pillar is not just a matter of simple curiosity.

This notably makes it possible to:

assess your future standard of living, plan ahead for your retirement, optimize your taxes, and above all finance a real estate project.

In reality, many people underestimate this asset.

Why some assets are lost or forgotten

Over the years, your career path evolves.

You’re changing company, canton, or even country.

Result: your assets may be scattered.

The main causes are:

change of employer
forgotten vested benefit accounts
departure abroad
administrative errors

Today, several billion francs are considered to be “dormant” in Switzerland.

The different ways to find out how much I have in my 2nd pillar

View your provident insurance certificate

The first step is to consult your annual LPP certificate.

This document contains:

your total balance
your contributions
pension projections

check second-pillar amount — check second pillar amount

This is the simplest method if you are currently employed.

Contact your pension fund

If you have any doubts, you can contact your fund directly.

She will be able to provide you with an updated estimate.

However, this approach remains limited if you have changed jobs several times.

Search for vested benefit accounts

When your assets are not transferred correctly, they are placed in specific accounts.

These accounts can remain invisible for years.

You should then contact:

your former employers, the pension institutions, or carry out a centralized search.

Table: where your 2nd pillar can be found

Professional situation	Where is your capital located?
Current employee	Job change	Unemployed	Departure abroad	Omission or error
Current pension fund	Transfer to new checkout	Vested benefits account	Blocked account or vested benefits account	Supplementary LPP institution

The official method: the 2nd pillar center

There is an official solution in Switzerland.

You can submit a request to the second pillar central office.

However:

the process can take a long time, the procedures are bureaucratic, and the information sometimes remains incomplete.

A strategic vision for your capital

Knowing how to find out how much I have in my 2nd pillar is one thing.

Knowing what to do with it is another.

This capital can be used for:

buy a property
reduce your debt
optimize your taxes

The link between the 2nd pillar and real estate

Your 2nd pillar can be used to finance a mortgage.

There are two main options:

early withdrawal, pledging

Couple in front of their new house in Switzerland

Pledging is often preferred because it allows the capital to be preserved.

Table: withdrawal vs. pledge

Solution	Advantages	Disadvantages
Early withdrawal	Pledge
Direct access to funds	No tax impact
Tax impact + reduced pension	Limited borrowing capacity

Understanding mortgage financing with the 2nd pillar

Mortgage financing is based on a balance between equity and credit.

The 2nd pillar can replace part of the down payment.

However, banks remain demanding.

They analyze:

your repayment capacity, your financial stability, your overall strategy.

A modern approach to analyzing your situation

Today, it is no longer enough to just know your assets.

You need to know how to optimize it.

It’s precisely with this in mind that a solution like Ben lets you analyze your profile, determine how much to invest, where to invest, and then connect directly to a broker if you want to move forward with your real estate project.

Common mistakes to avoid

Certain mistakes can cost you money.

For example:

not checking your assets regularly, letting funds sit idle, or using your 2nd pillar without a strategy.

A long-term vision for your wealth

Your 2nd pillar is not just a savings account.

It’s a strategic tool.

It must be integrated into an overall vision that includes:

real estate, taxation, investments.

Conclusion

Wondering how to know how much I have in my 2nd pillar is an essential step in managing your assets.

This capital, often underestimated, can become a powerful lever for investing and building your future.

By taking the time to find it, understand it, and optimize it, you turn simple savings into a genuine financial opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

The simplest way to find out how much you have in your 2nd pillar is to look at your annual pension certificate. This document is sent by your pension fund and shows your total capital, your contributions, and your projections. However, if you have changed employer, it is possible that some amounts are not visible, which means you will need to do some additional research.

Your certificate is generally sent once a year by your employer or your pension fund. If you lose it, you can request a copy directly from your pension institution. This document remains the basis for understanding your current situation.

In this case, your assets may be spread across several pension funds or vested benefit accounts. It is therefore important to reconstruct your employment history in order to track down each amount. This is a very common situation in Switzerland, especially after several career changes.

Yes, this happens more often than you might think. When changing jobs or moving abroad, some funds can be transferred to forgotten accounts. These assets remain in your name, but they are not always immediately visible.

The amount depends on your salary, your age, and your professional background. It can range from a few thousand to several hundred thousand francs. This capital represents an essential part of your assets.

Yes, the 2nd pillar can be used to finance a real estate purchase. In particular, it can be used to top up the equity required for a mortgage. This solution is very common in Switzerland, but it needs to be carefully considered, as it affects your future retirement provision.

It all depends on your strategy. Withdrawing allows you to obtain immediate liquidity, while pledging lets you keep your capital while increasing your borrowing capacity. The choice depends on your financial situation and your goals.

It is essential to have an overall view of your situation. Knowing your capital is a first step, but you then need to determine how to use it effectively. A good strategy allows you to optimize your financing and reduce your financial effort.

Yes, BEN gives you a clear view of your financial situation and helps you understand how much to invest and where to invest based on your profile. Then, if you wish, you can be put directly in touch with a broker to structure your real estate project and your mortgage financing.

Absolutely. Regularly reviewing your assets helps you avoid oversights, optimize your strategy, and better anticipate your projects. It’s a simple step, but essential for securing your financial future.