Our Review of the Selma 3a Pillar Account in 2025
| Annual fees | 7.9 |
|---|---|
| Investment Strategy Flexibility | 6.7 |
| App & Interface | 8.1 |
| Tax Optimization | 8.3 |
| Simplicity & Accessibility | 9.4 |
Selma 3a automates your 3rd pillar with a personalized, algorithm-driven investment strategy, ideal for those who want to optimize their long-term returns without managing their portfolio themselves. Open your account with promo code NEOSEL to earn 34 CHF.
Description
Automating your 3rd pillar with a true investment logic? This is the promise of Selma, the Swiss robo-advisor that offers a coherent approach: a personalized plan, primarily invested in equities and entirely managed by an algorithm without you having to choose your own funds or allocations.
Selma 3a targets a clear audience: those who want to maximize their long-term return potential without having to “manage” their 3rd pillar.
We tested Selma’s offering to understand its strengths, limitations, and positioning against leaders like Finpension, VIAC, or Frankly.
Selma’s Offering
Selma 3a allows you to open a 100% digital 3a pillar account, built around the same engine as its classic investment service.
The objective: to offer a managed, high-performing and diversified 3a, while maintaining great ease of use.
Key Points:
- Personalized investment plan based on one’s life situation
- Up to 97% equities depending on the risk profile
- Minimum amount to start: 500 CHF
- No manual choices to make → Selma manages everything
- Sustainable funds integrated by default
- Reduced fees if you also use the Selma investment account
Good idea: fees are reduced and the investment strategy is harmonized between the two accounts.
500 CHF.
No, only one 3a account is possible.
But who is this type of offering really for? That’s what we explore next.
Who is Selma 3a for?
✔ If you want an investment-oriented 3a, without having to manage your ETFs
✔ If you already use Selma for investing, or if you want unified wealth management
✔ If you want a smooth experience with simple tracking, without jargon
Less suitable if you want to:
- Choose your own funds or allocation
- Minimize fees
Selma 3a Investment Strategy
Everything starts with establishing a personalized plan via a questionnaire that analyzes:
- your income, personal situation, and goals
- your risk tolerance
- your other assets (real estate, existing 3a accounts, etc.)
Based on this, Selma offers one of 5 standard investment profiles, with a progressive equity allocation of up to 97%.
| Profile | % in equities (max) | Risk Level |
| Conservative | ~25% | Low |
| Balanced | ~45% | Moderate |
| Growth | ~65% | Moderate + |
| Ambitious | ~85% | High |
| Bold | ~97% | Very high |
No manual strategy, no “tinkering”: everything is delegated to the Selma algorithm, which automatically adjusts the portfolio according to market movements and our situation.
What we would have liked, however: to have the option to select or avoid investment themes.
🌱 Integrated Sustainable Portfolios
All Selma 3a portfolios are built with products that meet ESG standards. These are not separate options or a filter to activate: sustainability is integrated by default, without compromising returns or risk level.
No. The strategy is global and diversified, but not thematic (no “climate”, “tech”, “crypto” choices, etc.).
It remains to be seen how much this managed approach costs. Does automation come at a high price? Let’s review the fees.
The Fees
50.68% annual fees (all-inclusive)
This includes:
- 0.50% Selma management fees
- ~0.18% underlying ETF fees
No fees for:
- deposit or withdrawal
- transfer to another 3a
- account closure
Reduced fees if you combine your 3a account with a Selma investment portfolio.
Comparison with Market Leaders
| Solution | Total fees | Flexibility | |
| Selma | 0.68 % | Average (5 profiles) | |
| Finpension | 0.39 % | Very high (full custom) | |
| VIAC | 0.45 % | Average (models or custom) | |
| Frankly | 0.49 % | Average (8 strategies) | |
| Zak 3a | 1.25 % | Low | |
Selma is a bit more expensive, but includes complete automated management, without manual intervention.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Deposits
- Single or regular deposit
- Configuration possible in the app
- No minimum amount per transfer after opening
Deposit limits in 2025 :
- Employees with LPP: max 7,258 CHF/year
- Self-employed without LPP: up to 36,288 CHF/year (20% of net income)
Yes. Selma handles the operation free of charge.
Withdrawals
In accordance with Swiss legislation:
- Disability or death
- Early retirement (max 5 years before legal retirement age)
- Purchase of primary residence
- Permanent departure from Switzerland
- Starting a business
The Selma App
The 3a account is managed directly from the Selma app (or via the web portal):
- Real-time performance tracking
- Asset allocation (ETFs, equities, bonds)
- Deposit history
- Access to tax documents
Smooth, clear interface, without clutter or jargon.
The Selma app combines all investments, including 3a. The algorithm adjusts the overall strategy to avoid redundancies.
Security
Selma 3a relies on a 100% Swiss and regulated infrastructure:
- In case of bankruptcy of the custodian bank, 3a assets are protected up to 100,000 CHF, according to the Swiss legal framework for deposit protection.
- 3a pillar assets are deposited in your name with VZ Depository Bank, a supervised Swiss bank.
- The solution is administered by the VZ Vorsorgestiftung pension foundation, known for its specialization in retirement management.
- Selma acts as an independent financial advisor, duly registered with FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority.
Our review of Selma 3a
Selma offers a clear, coherent, and well-thought-out 3a offering, halfway between simplicity and performance.
It is neither the most configurable nor the cheapest solution, but it offers:
- A smooth experience
- An optimized strategy from the start
- A sustainable approach by default
- And true alignment with the rest of your portfolio
Recommended if you are looking to intelligently delegate the management of your 3a pillar, without having to become an investment expert.
In summary – Selma 3a at a glance
✅ Strengths
| Strength | Why this is a real advantage |
| High exposure to equities (up to 97%) | Allows aiming for long-term performance close to that of the most aggressive solutions on the market (like Finpension or VIAC). |
| Automated and personalized management | You don’t need to manage allocations yourself: Selma offers a plan adapted to your situation and automatically adjusts it based on the evolution of your profile. |
| Sustainable funds by default | No need to activate an ESG option: the ETF selection already respects basic environmental and social criteria, without sacrificing performance. |
| Good integration with the Selma ecosystem | If you also use Selma for investing, the entire portfolio (3a + free account) is managed coherently, with a harmonized global strategy. |
| Clear and accessible interface | The app allows you to track everything in real-time: performance, allocations, deposits… Even without finance experience, you can find your way around. |
| Simplified transfer from another 3a | Selma handles the transfer procedure free of charge, without friction or excessive paperwork. |
❌ Weaknesses
| Weakness | Why this might deter some users |
| High annual fees (0.68%) | This is above cheaper solutions like Finpension (0.39%) or VIAC (0.45%), which impacts long-term net performance. |
| No ETF customization | You cannot choose your own funds nor adjust the weighting |
| No Swiss or thematic portfolios | Unlike other providers, Selma offers neither a 100% Swiss strategy, nor sectoral or impact funds (e.g., climate, tech). |
| Entry threshold of 500 CHF | You need to have this amount to start, whereas other solutions accept lower amounts, or even no minimum. |
| Choice limited to 5 profiles | Even if it’s simpler for many, those who want total control or tailor-made options may find the offering too rigid. |
Also read
- Review and Test of the Zak 3a 3rd Pillar
- Finpension 3a 3rd Pillar Review and Test
- Review and test of the 3rd pillar Frankly 3a
- Review and test of the VIAC 3rd pillar
- The Best 3rd Pillar (3a) Accounts in Switzerland
What do you think of Selma 3a for your pension?
- Did the Selma app make opening the account easier?
- What feature would you like to improve?
- Is Selma 3a sufficiently optimized for you?
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