New strategy - What do you think?

Investing / Brokers
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Hello everyone,

I’m just starting out with stock market investing. I opened my IB account and already made a small transfer of 400 CHF to buy VT ETFs. Just to get a feel for the basics, and so far I think I’ve managed okay.

I’ve done some research online and on various forums. I’ve drafted a small investment strategy with a stock/bond allocation.

Here’s my profile and objectives:

  • Swiss resident, 43 years old (2025)

  • Target retirement: 2047

  • Emergency fund in the bank: ~20k CHF

Goal: Make my money work for me until retirement.

Current 3a VIAC positions:

  • Account A: Global 100, ~25k CHF

  • Account B: Global 60, ~25k CHF

Planned additions:

  • Account C: Global 60

  • Then Account D: Global 60, to stagger withdrawals at retirement.

IBKR:

  • ETF VT: 400 CHF

Target allocation:

  • 2025–2029: 80% stocks / 20% bonds

  • 2030–2033: 75% / 25%

  • 2034–2039: 70% / 30%

  • 2040–2043: 60% / 40% (convert Account A: Global 100 → Global 60 if needed to stabilize)

  • 2044–2047: 50% / 50% (open Global 40 and fund 60/40)

Monthly contributions: 200 CHF, split between 3a and VT. Feed 3a Account C and let Accounts A and B grow on their own :slight_smile:

I’m thinking of reviewing the stock/bond allocation once a year.

What do you think of this strategy?

In parallel, I’d like to build a “buffer” fund with money I can save once the emergency fund is “full.” I think 100 CHF/month would be realistic.

This money would be used as a down payment for medium-term projects, vacations, travel… How should I manage this part within my overall strategy?

Thanks for reading this far!

Looking forward to exchanging ideas with you!

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One question: which bonds?

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The bonds are in the 3a, Global 60. I use the predefined strategy in VIAC

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Hi and welcome!

You’ve done the most important part: starting off. Congrats!

If your journey has anything to do with mine, you’ll change your approach several times during your investing career as you learn more and/or your life circumstances or goals change. Be open to it, it’s a normal part of the process.

Your starting portfolio and strategy fit my assessment of “good enough”. In investing, “good enough” is way better than “perfect” or “optimized” as the latters bring with them second guessing and fidgetting while being able to settle on “good enough” helps nurture equanimity.

How did you come up with the 100 CHF/month funding? Do you already have some specific projects that you would want to achieve? Are you allocating a recurring vacations budget?

I would personally label all that as expenses that I provision for regularly so I would consider the money as already spent in my budget and keep either a separate account/porftolio for it or do some spreadsheet accounting of it while keeping it with my other assets (adjusting the allocation and choosing the vehicles for the expected term).

Chances are that, for medium term projects, a savings account is among the best you can get. Starting at 5k and if the term is known, you may optimize a bit using medium term notes.

If you psychologically want part of it to be invested, I like VIAC’s Account Plus approach, with 5% stocks (so a personal replication of it would be to have 5% of your medium-term projects funds on IBKR in the fund of your choice and 95% on a bank account).

If you want more upside and don’t mind delaying or giving up on some or all of your goals/projects, you may invest more with a still conservative 20/80 approach, or anything above that depending on your own assessment.

I’d use cash on a bank account as my fixed income at this point in time.

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Thanks for the warm welcome!

I’m really glad I took the first step. The more I read and learn, the more I find investing interesting and even fascinating.

You’re right — I don’t have any specific short-term goals. I just want to optimize the return on the money I don’t need right away.

As for my budget, I do the same as you — I assign every franc a purpose. Luckily, I still have about 100 CHF/month left over, which I’m currently putting into my savings account.
Once the emergency fund reaches a comfortable level, I don’t think it makes sense to keep adding to it.
So I’d like to invest that extra money — that’s what led me to ask my question :slight_smile:

Would it make sense to invest quarterly in an ETF like CSBGC3, or would something currency-hedged like IECH be better?
And maybe I could also put around 20% into VWRL or even VT?

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Unfortunately this is not enough, considering your timing. I would rather start by analyzing your overall financial situation and defining specific, achievable goals.

You are planning to retire at 65. Let’s calculate, assuming today’s value of money (inflation adjusted in the future).

  • What will be your AHV pension based on you continuing working until 65?
  • What is your projected second pillar pension if you retire at 65? Your pension fund statement should have this number.
  • Are you comfortable with the idea of withdrawing your second pillar and managing it yourself? Okay, maybe not now, but in 20 years, with the acquired financial literacy, you might be.
  • How much income do you need and how much do you want once you retired?

Now，for a quick estimation, apply 4% rule and estimate the value of assets that you should accumulate until then to have that level of income.

  • Besides yourself, is there anyone you want to support in old age or leave an inheritance?

That was the future. Now the present. You didn’t write it, but if you do, we can make some quick estimations.

  • What are the current values of your second pillar, third pillar balance, other savings? An overall wealth of 50k in 3rd pillar and 25k in a bank account sounds too little in your age. At least if you live in Switzerland for a long time. Your third pillar tells me that you live at least 6 years in Switzerland.
  • How much do you save from your income?

You might need a real financial advisor, after all.

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P.S. I am of a similar age as you. For long time, I considered investing a game, until I realize that one’s portfolio is one’s own pension fund， and growing it is literally a life project, because it will also determine how you are going to spend the final part of your life.

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What great questions—thank you for prompting this reflection!

Before starting my “investment studies,” I had a meeting with my pension fund (second pillar).

Here’s what came out of it:

With the AHV (state pension) and the second pillar, I’ll easily reach 85–90% of what I had while “working.” This will easily cover my expenses, maybe even more.

With the addition of the third pillar, honestly, I haven’t calculated exactly what I’d have, but I think it would just be a “bonus.”

Then comes the idea of investing—why not optimize the money I can set aside?

By retirement age, I won’t have anyone else to support, and as for the wealth I might leave behind, I’m not worried. Everyone lives their own life… :slight_smile:

Regarding savings, I set aside about 7k per year.

You’re right, I’m becoming more aware of this. After all, 20–25 years go by quickly, so it’s better late than never to start thinking about finances for retirement.

Does a true financial advisor exist who is neither an insurance agent nor a banker?

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Do you include 3a contributions to this number?

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Good question, but no it’s not included

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As your self-managed portfolio is essentially for your discretional spending, you can be more aggressive in investing. Also after your retirement.

I suggest to start with 80/20 and then see how it goes.

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Ok thank you I’ll start like this