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Chapter

Social System & Daily Life

Social security, retirement (AHV), insurance, practical living

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What you'll learn

Social Security and Retirement (AHV)

A brief preview from the first lesson of this chapter.

Switzerland has a comprehensive social security system designed to protect residents against major life risks: old age, disability, unemployment, and illness. The centerpiece is the three-pillar pension system, combining state pensions (AHV/AVS), occupational pensions, and private savings.

Switzerland also provides disability insurance, unemployment benefits, family allowances, and other social protections. Understanding how Swiss social security works is essential for anyone living or planning to live in Switzerland, as these systems affect everyone's financial security throughout their lives.

Sample questions

Sample questions

Five example questions from this chapter — with answers, explanations, and official sources.

01Easy

You receive your first monthly salary in Switzerland. You notice that several deductions have been automatically taken out. Which of these social insurance contributions is mandatory and automatically deducted from your salary?

  • AOnly health insurance and accident insurance
  • BAHV (old age), IV (disability), and ALV (unemployment) insurance
  • CAHV and health insurance, but unemployment insurance is optional
  • DOnly pension fund contributions, since you're under 25
Correct answer
AHV (old age), IV (disability), and ALV (unemployment) insurance
Explanation
AHV, IV, and ALV contributions are mandatory and automatically deducted from salaries in Switzerland. These form the core of the social security system. Health insurance is also mandatory but must be arranged privately with insurers—it's not deducted from salaries. Pension fund (BVG) contributions are mandatory only for salaries above a certain threshold (currently CHF 22'680 per year).

Source: Lesson 14.1

02Easy

Your colleague mentions that Switzerland's retirement system has 'three pillars.' They want to understand what each pillar represents. Which explanation is correct?

  • A1st pillar: state pension (AHV), 2nd pillar: occupational pension (BVG), 3rd pillar: private savings
  • B1st pillar: private savings, 2nd pillar: occupational pension, 3rd pillar: state pension
  • C1st pillar: occupational pension (BVG), 2nd pillar: state pension (AHV), 3rd pillar: health insurance
  • DAll three pillars are state-run and identical in structure
Correct answer
1st pillar: state pension (AHV), 2nd pillar: occupational pension (BVG), 3rd pillar: private savings
Explanation
Switzerland's three-pillar system is designed this way: The 1st pillar (AHV/IV/EO) is a state-run basic pension ensuring minimum subsistence. The 2nd pillar (BVG/LPP) is occupational pension tied to employment, maintaining your standard of living. The 3rd pillar is voluntary private savings (3a: tax-advantaged, 3b: flexible) for individual choice. This structure spreads risk and responsibility across state, employers, and individuals.

Source: Lesson 14.1

03Medium

Your neighbor, age 63, asks you: 'I've been paying into AHV since I started working at 25. Can I stop paying now that I'm close to retirement?' What do you tell them?

  • AYes, you can stop paying once you've contributed for 40 years
  • BYes, because AHV contributions are only required until age 62
  • CNo, contributions are compulsory until you reach the reference age — and on any earnings after that
  • DNo, but you can request a refund of all contributions paid so far
Correct answer
No, contributions are compulsory until you reach the reference age — and on any earnings after that
Explanation
Employed persons pay AHV contributions from 1 January after their 17th birthday, non-employed persons from 1 January after their 20th birthday — in both cases until they reach the reference age. There's no maximum contribution period after which you can stop paying. Even those who haven't worked (e.g., homemakers) must pay minimum contributions (at least CHF 530 per year in 2026) to avoid gaps in their contribution record. If you keep working past the reference age, you go on paying on earnings above an allowance of CHF 1'400 per month, and those contributions can increase your pension up to the maximum.

Source: Lesson 14.1

04Medium

Your cousin is serving in the Swiss Army and will receive no salary from his employer during his 4-week service. He asks which insurance makes up for what he loses while serving. What do you tell him?

  • AALV (Arbeitslosenversicherung)
  • BAHV (Altersvorsorge)
  • CEO (Erwerbsersatzordnung / Income Replacement Insurance)
  • DUnfallversicherung (Accident Insurance)
Correct answer
EO (Erwerbsersatzordnung / Income Replacement Insurance)
Explanation
EO (Erwerbsersatzordnung) compensates for lost income during military, civil protection, or civilian service duties, as well as maternity leave. It provides approximately 80% of lost income, capped at a maximum amount. Self-employed persons can voluntarily participate. ALV is for unemployment, AHV is for retirement pensions, and accident insurance covers treatment and disability from accidents—not service-related income loss.

Source: Lesson 14.1

05Hard

Your father retired 2 years ago at age 65 but now wants to take a job for a few hours a week. He's worried his AHV pension will be affected. What do you tell him?

  • AHe's not allowed to work after claiming AHV pension under Swiss law
  • BHe can work part-time with no reduction in his AHV pension, but contributions are mandatory again
  • CHis AHV pension will be reduced by 50% if he earns more than CHF 1,000 per month
  • DHe must repay all AHV benefits received so far if he returns to work
Correct answer
He can work part-time with no reduction in his AHV pension, but contributions are mandatory again
Explanation
After reaching the reference age, you can work and earn as much as you like without any reduction of your AHV pension. You and your employer do pay AHV contributions again, but only on the part of the salary above an allowance of CHF 1'400 per month (CHF 16'800 per year); you may waive that allowance. Since the AHV 21 reform these contributions can also increase your pension, up to the legal maximum of CHF 2'520. Switzerland has no earnings test: drawing the pension early (from age 63) reduces it permanently by a fixed actuarial rate, no matter how much you go on earning.

Source: Lesson 14.1

All lessons in this chapter

All lessons in this chapter

Full access in Premium — every lesson, every question, with progress tracking.

  1. 01

    Social Security and Retirement (AHV)

    24 minFull access

  2. 02

    Daily Life and Practical Living

    20 minFull access

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