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What does the AHV cover in terms of benefits?

 

The AHV secures financial security in retirement or in the event of death for dependents.

 

AHV Pension

 

From the ordinary retirement age, which is 64 for women and 65 for men, individuals are entitled to the AHV retirement pension.   

The amount is determined by three factors:

- Credited contribution years

- Earned income during the contribution years

- Possible childcare and caregiver credits

 

For married couples or those in a registered partnership, AHV contributions are pooled and split. In this case, the AHV is capped at 150% of the maximum AHV pension.

The pension payments are structured as follows: 

 

AHV Widow's and Widower's Pension

 

To provide minimum financial security in the event of the death of a spouse, there is the AHV widow's and widower's pension.
 

Women are eligible if they have children or are at least 45 years old, and the marriage lasted 5 years or longer. Men are eligible only if they have children, and the eligibility lasts until the youngest child reaches 18 years.
 

The calculation is 80% of the calculated AHV of the deceased person.
 

 

When is one entitled to EL and EO?

 

If your minimum living costs are not covered by AHV or IV benefits, you are entitled to supplementary benefits. This may accur, for example, if you have no other income or assets.

The Income Replacement Ordinance also stipulates compensation for all service members of the army, civil service, and civil protection in case of loss of income. This includes the legally mandated maternity leave.

 

Who must pay contributions?

 

In principle, anyone eligible for AHV - i.e. all individuals residing or employed in Switzerland – must also pay contributions.

However, a distinction is made between non-employed and employed persons at the commencement of contributions:

It applies that all are obliged to make their contributions until at least the regular AHV retirement age is reached. to pay. This means that women must contribute until the age of 64, and men until the age of 65.

If someone continues to work, the obligation to pay contributions is also automatically extended - until the activity is discontinued.

 

AHV Orphan's Pension

Children are also financially protected in the event of the death of one or both parents, at least until the age of 18 – if in education, until the age of 25. In the event of the loss of one parent, the half-orphan's pension is paid, and in the case of the loss of both parents, the full orphan's pension is paid.

 

What does the IV cover for benefits?

 

It is important to note that the IV distinguishes between two stages: temporary and permanent disability.

 

Temporary Disability
 

The rule here is that you receive a daily allowance for a maximum of two years. If, after this period, you are unable to return to work or realize that you can only work to a limited capacity, you will receive a full disability pension.

 

The permanent disability
 

If a return to your profession is no longer possible, and you were at least 40% employed, you automatically qualify for the IV.

Similar to the AHV, the following applies for spouses or registered partnerships, in which both parties are dependent on the IV, a maximum of 150% of the maximum amount is paid.


Children are also supported with an additional child's pension until they reach the age of 18 - or until they turn 25 if in education - whenever a parent relies on the IV.

In addition, if everyday activities such as showering, dressing or eating are no longer possible independently, you are entitled to additional services for as loong as needed.