Investing for Couples & After 50: The Swiss Guide

Learn / Retirement Planning

In many Swiss households, one partner handles the finances — and the other barely knows what's in the accounts. At the same time, many people over 50 believe it's "too late" to start investing.

Both beliefs are dangerous. This guide shows how couples can organise their finances together — even when one partner has no experience — and why there are still decades of investment horizon ahead after 50.

The Swiss taboo: Money in relationships

In Switzerland, people don't talk about money. Certainly not with their partner. According to a study by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, over 40% of Swiss couples don't know their partner's exact income. When it comes to assets and debts, the figure is likely even higher.

The problem: when one partner makes all the financial decisions and suddenly can't — through accident, illness or death — the other is left stranded. Not financially (the money is there), but practically: Which accounts exist? Where is the portfolio? What are the credentials? What am I supposed to do with these stocks?

This pattern isn't confined to a single household. It affects an entire generation of Swiss couples where one partner — often the husband — managed the investments while the other deferred. When something happens, the surviving partner typically has neither experience nor trusted advisors. And the financial industry is ready to step in — with expensive solutions that serve the advisor's interests more than the client's.

The best investment strategy is useless if your partner doesn't know where the money is — or what to do with it.

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Having the money conversation — without arguments

The monthly finance check (30 minutes)

Sit down once a month — with a coffee, not a calculator. Go through these three questions:

• How much is coming in? Both salaries, side income, dividends. Use the arvy Budget Calculator — it now has a partner mode for married couples.
• How much is going out? Rent, health insurance, food, leisure. No blame — just transparency.
• How much is left over? And what happens with it? Savings account? Invested? Under the mattress?

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Organising accounts and portfolios: The 3 models

Model A: The common pot

Everything goes into one shared account. Maximum transparency, little autonomy. Works well when both partners have similar spending habits and full trust.

Model B: The 3-account model (most popular in Switzerland)

Each person has a personal account, plus one shared account for fixed costs and savings. Both contribute proportionally to income (e.g. each puts 70% of salary into the joint account). Advantage: fairness plus autonomy. For most couples, this is the best balance.

Model C: Separate finances with coordination

Each partner manages their own money, fixed costs are split. Works for unmarried couples — but carries the risk that one partner saves significantly more than the other.

Whichever model you choose: both partners should have active access to all accounts and portfolios. Not "could access in an emergency" — regular access. Both should have the banking app. Both should know the credentials.

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Investing together: The ideal couple's savings plan

This is where it gets concretely difficult for many couples. One partner is interested in stocks, the other isn't. One has an appetite for risk, the other has fear.

The 80/20 solution

Not every partner needs to become a stock market expert. The goal is:

• Both understand the core strategy (e.g. "We invest monthly into a diversified portfolio of quality companies")
• Both know where the money is invested and how much there is
• Both can make decisions independently in an emergency (even if the decision is: "do nothing and let it run")

What the less experienced partner does not need to know: price-to-earnings ratios, chart analysis, options strategies, sector rotation. The best investment strategy is one that both people understand and that runs on autopilot.

An automatic savings plan via standing order eliminates the biggest sources of error: no debating about timing, no "should we buy now or wait?", no stress. Every month, money flows into a portfolio that works for both of you.

For larger amounts (e.g. an inheritance or bonus), the arvy Equity Fund is available — purchasable directly through Swissquote, UBS, ZKB, or any other Swiss brokerage. Valor 130614478. No new account needed. → Equity Fund details

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Taxes for couples: What married people need to know

Advantages of joint taxation

• Gentler federal tax rate: The married tariff has lower progression brackets. Particularly advantageous when one partner earns significantly less.
• Higher exemptions: Double the wealth tax exemption, double the Pillar 3a deduction (2× CHF 7,258 = CHF 14,516/year).
• No inheritance tax: Between spouses, tax-free in all cantons.

The "marriage penalty"

When both partners earn high incomes, joint taxation can mean a married couple pays more tax than two unmarried individuals. Abolition was approved by Swiss voters in 2024 — but current estimates suggest it won't take effect until approximately 2032. Until then, the married tariff applies.

Pillar 3a for both — the biggest tax lever

Both partners should maximise their Pillar 3a contributions. At a marginal tax rate of 35%, you save roughly CHF 5,080 in taxes per year together. From 2026, missed contributions can even be made up retroactively for up to 10 years. This is free money — and the most powerful legal tax lever in Switzerland.

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Investing after 50: Why it's never too late

You're 50, 55 or 60 and think it's too late? Life expectancy in Switzerland is over 83 years. At 55, you still have almost 30 years ahead. Even if you retire at 65 and live to 85, your portfolio has a 20-year investment horizon — longer than most mortgages.

The question isn't "am I too old?" — it's "can I afford not to invest?" Leaving CHF 500,000 in a savings account costs you CHF 10,000 in purchasing power per year at 2% inflation.

What changes after 50

• Larger liquidity reserve: 12–24 months of expenses instead of 3–6. In case markets drop when you need cash.
• Withdrawal planning: From retirement, use the 4% rule as a starting point.
• Pillar 3a optimisation: Still 10–15 years until 65. From 2026, retroactive catch-up contributions are possible.

What does NOT change

• Diversification: Still essential after 50.
• Low costs: With less time remaining, high fees weigh even more heavily. → Fee comparison
• Regularity: A monthly savings plan works just as well at 55 as at 25.

The bucket strategy for 50+

• Bucket 1 — Liquidity (2–3 years): Savings account. For living costs over the next 2–3 years.
• Bucket 2 — Medium-term (5–7 years): More conservative investments, dividend stocks.
• Bucket 3 — Long-term (the rest): Broadly diversified equity portfolio. Grows for 15–25 years.

The psychological advantage: when the market drops, you know you can live off Bucket 1 for 2–3 years without touching your equity holdings. → Investing in turbulent times

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Powers of attorney and planning: The legal minimum

Even in the happiest relationship, you need three documents:

1. Bank power of attorney (for both)

Both partners should have power of attorney over all of the other's accounts and portfolios. Check whether it remains valid beyond death.

2. Advance directive (Vorsorgeauftrag)

Specifies who manages your affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one: the KESB decides — months of process, thousands of francs in costs.

3. Will

In Switzerland, the surviving spouse does not automatically inherit everything. Without a will: only half. With a will: maximum benefit for the partner. Since 2023, the freely disposable portion has grown significantly.

Cost: a few hours of your time + optionally CHF 500–1,500 for a notary. This can prevent months of bureaucracy and tens of thousands of francs in unnecessary costs.

The best investment strategy is worthless if your partner doesn't know where the money is after you're gone — or what to do with it.

More articles: Investing in Switzerland: The Beginner's Guide → · Budget Calculator: From gross salary to investment budget → · What does investing cost? The fee comparison → · Investing in turbulent times → · Glossary: 89 financial terms explained → · FIRE Calculator → · Savings Rate Calculator → · Compound Interest Calculator → · Skin in the Game → · Mastering emotions when investing →

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This article was written by Team arvy. Last updated March 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute personal investment, tax or legal advice. For individual questions, please consult a qualified professional. arvy is a FINMA-supervised asset manager with a KAG licence. Legal Notice