Map the assets first
Gather statements from your pension fund, every vested-benefits institution and each third-pillar provider. List the account owner, balance, institution and withdrawal procedure. Do not treat these different arrangements as one pot of money: the legal conditions and paperwork are not interchangeable.
Check the destination rules
For an EU/EFTA destination, compulsory occupational pension assets generally cannot be paid out if you remain subject to compulsory old-age, disability and survivors’ insurance there. The extra-mandatory portion can be treated differently. Ask your institution what confirmation is required; special country situations must be checked individually.
Coordinate before requesting payment
Ask for the documentation checklist and processing timetable early. Review tax consequences in Switzerland and the destination country with a suitably qualified professional. Compare withdrawal with keeping eligible assets invested, taking account of costs, risk and access. Changing an institution alone does not settle the full tax outcome.