top of page
Beratung zu Anlagen und Vorsorge für US-Personen in der Schweiz

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

Financial Guidance for U.S. Persons Living in Switzerland

Independent, fee-only guidance on investing, Swiss pensions and cross-border financial decisions.

INVESTING AND RETIREMENT PLANNING ACROSS TWO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS

Do Any of These Questions Sound Familiar?

  • How can I invest as a U.S. person living in Switzerland?

  • Should I invest my assets in Switzerland or the United States?

  • Which investments may have adverse PFIC tax consequences?

  • Does a Swiss Pillar 3a account make sense for me?

  • How should I handle my 401(k), IRA or Roth IRA?

  • What should I consider before moving between Switzerland and the United States?

Cross-border financial questions can rarely be addressed from a purely Swiss or American perspective. Decisions that appear sensible in one country may have unexpected tax or regulatory consequences in the other.

Börse New York, USA

Why Your Swiss Fund Could Become a U.S. Tax Problem

Many Swiss and European mutual funds and ETFs may be classified as Passive Foreign Investment Companies - commonly known as PFICs - for U.S. tax purposes.

​

A PFIC classification may result in unfavourable taxation and complex annual reporting requirements. Investments held within Swiss Pillar 3a or vested benefits accounts may also be affected.

Unfavourable Tax Treatment

Depending on your individual circumstances and the applicable tax treatment, income and gains may be taxed significantly less favourably than conventional capital gains in the United States.

Complex Reporting Requirements

PFIC investments may require additional U.S. tax forms and create a substantial administrative burden.

Swiss Pension Products May Also Be Affected

Many Swiss pension solutions invest in Swiss or European funds. U.S. persons should therefore consider not only the Swiss tax benefits but also the potential U.S. tax treatment.

The Challenge

Swiss financial providers often do not take U.S. rules into account. At the same time, U.S.-based advisers may not fully understand the specific features of Swiss investment and pension products.

This gap between the two systems is where costly mistakes can occur.

How We Can Help

We help you identify potentially problematic investments, critically assess existing recommendations and evaluate possible alternatives.

Looking out for you

Cross-Border Fee-Only Advice and Ongoing Support

Price: CHF 320 per hour, with a one-hour minimum

We charge a minimum of one hour and bill in 15-minute increments thereafter. Before we begin, you receive a transparent estimate of the expected time and cost.

Benefits:

  • No commissions

  • No retrocessions

  • No product sales

  • No fees based on a percentage of your assets

  • No requirement to transfer your investment accounts

Jeff Haindl von STUZZ

WHY STUZZ?

Experience in Both Financial Worlds

Cross-border financial questions require experience with both the U.S. and Swiss systems.

​

Your Adviser: Jeff Haindl 

  • CFA charterholder

  • More than 30 years of experience in wealth management

  • 10 years of experience in Swiss–U.S. cross-border wealth management

  • Born in the United States

  • Worked in New York for 10 years

​​

STUZZ provides independent, fee-only advice and does not offer proprietary financial products.

Get Clarity Before You Make a Decision

Unsuitable investments or uncoordinated decisions can become costly and complicated when the Swiss and U.S. financial systems interact.

 

During a free introductory call, we discuss your situation and explain how we may be able to help.

FAQ

BOOK ONLINE

Consultation

_edited (1)_0,3x.png

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

How We Can Help

Most questions fall into four main areas:

Investing as a U.S. Person

We review existing investments or specific investment ideas and explain the costs, risks and cross-border considerations you should be aware of. This may include:

  • Swiss, European and U.S. mutual funds and ETFs

  • Choosing a broker and custody account

  • Investing in CHF and USD

  • Diversification across both financial systems

  • Potential PFIC issues

  • Reviewing existing investment portfolios

Swiss Pension Planning for U.S. Persons

We help you understand the opportunities and potential implications of the Swiss pension system. This may include:

  • Swiss Pillar 3a retirement accounts

  • Occupational pensions and voluntary Pillar 2 contributions

  • Vested benefits accounts

  • Lump-sum or pension payments

  • Coordination with existing U.S. retirement assets

Existing U.S. Accounts and Assets

Do you still hold accounts or retirement assets in the United States? We help you assess their role and implications in the context of your life in Switzerland. This may include:

  • 401(k) plans

  • Traditional IRAs

  • Roth IRAs

  • Brokerage accounts

  • Bank accounts and other U.S. assets

Independent Second Opinion

Have you received a recommendation from a bank, broker, asset manager or tax adviser? We provide an independent assessment and explain:

  • the actual costs involved

  • the interests that may influence the recommendation

  • the risks and restrictions

  • which questions remain unanswered

  • which alternatives may be worth considering

Informed Decisions Across Two Financial Systems

We help you understand financial relationships, identify potential issues early and evaluate your options with confidence.

 

We consider your investments and retirement decisions within the context of both Switzerland and the United States - independently, on a fee-only basis and without selling financial products.

 

You receive a clear basis for making decisions that reflects your personal circumstances and both financial systems.

​

bottom of page