What is the difference between building a pension through an employer or yourself?

The difference lies in the pillar and in control:

• Through your employer (2nd pillar): your employer often contributes, participation is usually mandatory and the scheme is fixed. You have little influence over execution.
• Yourself (3rd pillar): you arrange it via a lijfrente, decide how much and when you contribute, and the account is in your name.

The tax advantage is comparable in both cases. At Vive, employers can also contribute to that individual accrual. Read the difference between the second and third pillar.