Mortgage amortization

Direct amortization

In the case of a direct amortization of the mortgage, a partial amount is repaid at regular intervals, which reduces the amount of the mortgage, while the income tax payable (due to the reduction of the deductible debt interest and mortgage debt) increases. The second mortgage is usually amortized automatically, as the second mortgage has to be amortized within 15 years or until retirement. Learn more by reading our article on direct amortization.

Benefits of direct amortization

• A reduced amount of mortgage debt
• Decreasing burden of mortgage interest
• The feel-good factor of reduced debt

Disadvantages of direct amortization

• Rising taxes
• Pension planning only possible for those who can afford it in addition to the amortization costs

Indirect amortization

In the case of indirect amortization, the mortgage is not triggered successively, but in one fell swoop. Instead of paying off the mortgage at regular intervals, money is invested in the private pension planning of pillar 3a. This means that the amount of pension capital increases, while the mortgage amount and interest rates remain the same. With this variant it is possible to make tax savings, since both the deposits and the mortgage interest are deducted from the income tax. The pension funds can then be used at any time to repay the mortgage. Indirect amortization is only possible with owner-occupied properties. Learn more about this topic by reading our article on indirect amortization.

Benefits of indirect amortization

• Mortgage interest can be deducted from taxes
• Anyone who cannot otherwise provide for a private pension (pillar 3a), benefits from the deduction possibilities
• The additional security of the pension capital means that there are improved interest rates on mortgages

Disadvantages of indirect amortization

• The mortgage amount remains the same
• The amount of mortgage interest payments remains the same
• There may be possible interest rate fluctuations in the private pension planning (pillar 3a)

Direct or indirect amortization of a mortgage?

In the following video we explain what an indirect amortization is:

The best type of amortization for a mortgage depends entirely on the financial situation of the individual. With limited financial resources, which do normally not provide for private pension planning, indirect amortization often pays off. Indirect amortization can be particularly worthwhile when the return on the investment is higher than the mortgage costs.

If someone already earns enough money and pays into the pillar 3a for tax reasons, he or she can amortize their mortgage directly and in addition build up pension planning funds. In the case of the indirect variant, the only benefit would arise from the tax savings. Whether this is worthwhile depends above all on the return achieved by the capital invested in pillar 3a. Our amortization calculator might help you decide on the best amortization strategy for you.

MoneyPark offers independent advice and arranges individually agreed conditions. Our goal is to provide you with the best mortgage in Switzerland, to create a mortgage strategy and to assist you with amortization plans.