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Benefits in case of disability

Sudden incapacity to work due to illness or an accident can have serious financial consequences. The Swiss pension system offers various benefits to help secure your livelihood.

These benefits are provided by disability insurance (IV), the pension fund, accident insurance (UVG), or daily sickness benefits insurance (KTV). In addition, voluntary risk insurance can enhance your level of financial protection.

To strengthen your personal pension provision, an advance care directive and a power of attorney are important tools to ensure clarity in case of an emergency.

Leistungen im IV-Fall - desktop

Overview of benefits in case of disability

A case of disability requires sound planning and the right combination of benefits to be financially protected.

1. AHV/IV
2. Pension fund
3. Accident insurance (UVG)
4. Daily sickness benefits insurance (KTV)
5. Voluntary risk insurance
6. Power of attorney & advance care directive
Leistungen aus AHV/IV - desktop
Disability insurance (IV) is part of the Swiss 1st pillar and seeks to provide a basic income in case of permanent or partial incapacity to work.
  • Eligibility in case one's capacity to work is reduced permanently by at least 40%.
  • Amount depends on degree of disability:
    • 40%: quarter pension.
    • 50%: half pension.
    • 60%: three-quarter pension.
    • 70% or more: full pension.
  • Maximum pension: CHF 2,520 a month (as of 2025).
  • Reintegration measures, e.g., occupational retraining or aids.
  • Daily allowances during reintegration.
  • Support in case the benefits from IV and other earnings are insufficient to provide a basic income.
Leistungen im IV-Fall Kontakt - desktop

Well-prepared in case life takes an unexpected turn – for you and your family.

Make pension provisions in time to provide for the event of disability.

How to proceed

1

Analysis of your situation

  • Analyze your existing insurance coverage and entitlements from AHV, pension fund, accident insurance, and daily sickness benefits insurance.

  • Identify pension gaps.

2

Application for benefits

  • Support in submitting applications for disability insurance, notifying the pension fund, and communicating with insurers.

3

Assess complementary coverage

  • Advice on voluntary risk insurance to cover individual needs.

4

Draw up advance directives

  • Help in creating an advance care directive and power of attorney to be prepared for cases of emergency.

Videos on "Benefits in case of disability"

Erwachsenenschutzrecht - desktop

Adult protection law

Discover the key aspects of adult protection law, which safeguards your autonomy and dignity should you no longer be able to manage your own affairs. Learn about the tools available to ensure that, even during a challenging time, your personal wishes and needs are respected.

(in German)

Lieber Alf, hast Du einen Vorsorgeauftrag? - desktop

Dear Alf, do you have a power of attorney?

Glamorous – yet down-to-earth: Entrepreneur and entertainer Alf Heller talks to us about financial planning, pension provision, and the question nobody ever asks, but that concerns us all: What about a power of attorney?

(in German)

Lieber Alf, warum hast Du einen Vorsorgeauftrag? - desktop

Dear Alf, why did you write a power of attorney?

Entrepreneur and entertainer Alf Heller explains why he wrote a power of attorney.

(in German)

Document Library

Erwachsenenschutzrecht - desktop

Adult protection law

Learn how the right tools under adult protection law can help you stay self-determed – even if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself one day.

(in German)

Vorsorgeplanung - desktop

Power of attorney

Who should decide on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so? This is precisely what a power of attorney governs, in a clear, legally sound manner and with foresight.

(in German)

Nachfolgeplanung - desktop

Succession planning

Early succession arrangements reduce the risk that unexpected disability might jeopardize the future of one's company.

(in German)

st.gallen office - desktop

smzh for you

Your advantages with smzh for disability benefits:

  • Comprehensive advice: We analyze your current situation and coordinate benefits from all pension systems.
  • Application support: Assistance with submitting applications and ensuring that all entitlements are correctly claimed.
  • Individual coverage: Development of a holistic strategy to close coverage gaps with voluntary insurance solutions.
  • Estate planning: Support in preparing a power of attorney and an advance care directive to protect your wishes and rights.

We handle questions such as those shown on the right on a daily basis. You don't need to deal with them by yourself – our 360° Check-Up is free of charge and non-binding.

Contact us

You are eligible if your ability to work is reduced long term by at least 40%. We support you in filing your application.

The amount is based on the insured salary and mentioned separately on your pension fund statement.

Accident insurance pays a disability pension, a compensation for impairment of integrity, and, if applicable, a care allowance.

A power of attorney defines who is to manage your affairs in case you become unable to do so. smzh helps you draw up such a document.

Voluntary insurance options provide additional financial security, for instance by providing a disability lump-sum payment or a disability pension.