13th salary, bonuses and additional earnings in a loan assessment
How to record a 13th salary payment, variable bonuses and second-job earnings for a Swiss loan without double counting or relying on uncertain income.
Updated on · Budgetcredit
Regular, documented and actually available
A contractually guaranteed 13th salary payment is different from a discretionary bonus or a second job only planned for the future. A credit assessment considers not only the total of recent transfers but also how reliably that income will remain available. There is no universal Consumer Credit Act (KKG) table counting every bonus at a fixed percentage throughout Switzerland.
The lender assesses the financial situation and may request income evidence. For your own planning, a cautious basis is advisable: ideally, the ongoing instalment should not depend on an uncertain extra payment. One particularly high-earning month is not a reliable monthly average.
Understand the 13th salary correctly
First check the employment contract and payslips. Is an additional month’s salary firmly agreed, or is it a variable gratuity? Is it paid separately or already included proportionately each month? This distinction prevents the same income component entering the budget twice.
A purely mathematical example: twelve regular net payments of 5'000 francs each plus an additional guaranteed net payment of 5'000 francs produce an annual amount of 65'000 francs. Spread across twelve months, this is a rounded 5'417 francs. This is a mathematical allocation, not an assurance that a provider will recognise exactly that amount.
Nor does averaging increase the money actually received each month. If the extra payment arrives only at year-end, you need a plan for instalments due beforehand. Often, that amount is already earmarked for taxes, insurance or other annual expenses. It is then not entirely free for new commitments in practical terms.
Treat variable pay and bonuses cautiously
With commissions, shift allowances and bonuses, one month may differ considerably from the norm. Several payslips and, where appropriate, annual records help reveal fluctuations. A bonus paid in the past does not guarantee continuation. Whether and to what extent it is included depends on evidence and the provider’s assessment.
For a personal stress test, compare two budgets: one using reliable basic salary and another using realistically documented variable receipts. If the instalment appears affordable only in the more favourable case, that is a warning sign. Consider using a possible extra payment for reserves or later voluntary repayment rather than making it essential.
Extra earnings are more than gross turnover
An existing second job can improve financial possibilities. But it must be clear what net amount actually remains and how lasting the work is. Additional travel costs, childcare and taxes may reduce the extra disposable earnings. For self-employed secondary work in particular, turnover is not the same as personal disposable income.
Planned work without previous evidence should not enter the current calculation as guaranteed salary. The time commitment matters too: maintaining very long working hours over many months is not always realistic. The loan should fit a sustainable daily life, rather than work only on paper.
Start with a few clear details
- Regular monthly net salary from the current payslip.
- An indication of whether additional payments are already included.
- Contractual basis and previous evidence of additional income.
- Known changes in working hours, employment or allowances.
For initial guidance, one understandable net salary field is better than several unclear figures. Additional payments can be added specifically where relevant. Later, the details must match the requested documents. Do not silently replace a normal monthly salary with an extrapolated figure that the provider might mistake for an ongoing payout.
For marriage or shared households, partner contributions and family costs must also be allocated consistently. Read Loans for married and cohabiting couples. An additional salary component must not appear in several fields at once.
More income does not automatically mean more credit
The statutory affordability assessment also accounts for protected living expenses and existing commitments. The 36-month approach applies to cash loans within the KKG. A temporary income peak does not replace this assessment. Nor does a good budget indication already guarantee an interest rate.
Record the actual financing need and compare the instalment with a cautious budget. If additional income is confirmed, the indication can be updated. For preparation, use the document checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is every 13th salary automatically included?
No. The contract, payout and evidence must be clear. The individual assessment determines inclusion.
Can I record an expected bonus as fixed salary?
An uncertain bonus should not be treated as guaranteed monthly income. Explain the nature of the payment transparently.
Does a planned second job count today?
Without reliable evidence, it should not be treated as secure current income.
Sources and information date
Information as of 13 October 2026. The applicable rules, individual assessment and contract documents are decisive.
Credit must not be granted if it would lead to over-indebtedness. A budget calculation provides a non-binding indication, not a loan offer.
