Child savings plans in Switzerland (German terms include “Kindervorsorge”, “Sparen fürs Kind”, “Kinder-Sparversicherung”, or “Geschenksparkonto für Kinder”) are available in various forms for parents and guardians.
Below we present the most common options and tips for building your child’s financial future.
1. Child / youth savings accounts
- Bank savings accounts opened in the child’s name but managed by a parent or legal guardian.
- Simple, low-risk, and a secure way to save for the future.
- Ensure that the funds transferred to the child later are structured and transparent.
2. Savings insurance for children
- A combination of savings and insurance elements.
- Part of the premium goes toward savings, while another part provides insurance coverage.
- If the parent dies or becomes unable to pay, the insurance continues contributions so the child’s savings are not interrupted.
3. Investment / portfolio-based savings
- Solutions offering higher potential returns than traditional savings accounts.
- Can include equity, bond, or mixed investment funds with higher long-term returns but also higher risk.
Tips / recommendations
- Start as early as possible – long time horizons help accumulate returns.
- Consider whether you prefer security (bank savings) or higher returns (investments).
- Review fees and costs (custody, transfer fees, management fees).
- Check when and how the savings become accessible (e.g. adulthood, transfer conditions).
- If combined with insurance, carefully review the contract terms and conditions related to key events (death, disability).
Summary: Child savings plans allow parents to gradually and consciously build their child’s financial security.
