Implementation of the 13th OASI pension

Everyone living or working in Switzerland is insured in the first pillar, OASI. From the time we retire, we receive an OASI pension. It is part of our retirement provision. In the referendum held on 3 March 2024, the Swiss electorate voted in favour of a 13th OASI pension.

In the summer of 2024, the Federal Council presented the core details regarding the implementation and financing of the 13th OASI pension. It is envisaged that the additional OASI pension will be paid once a year in December, for the first time in 2026. In order to finance this, the Federal Council would like to raise value-added tax by 0.7 percentage points. Now the two chambers of parliament, the National Council and the Council of States, must decide on the matter. It remains to be seen how the 13th OASI pension will actually be financed and implemented. We will find out more about this next year.

The pension fund statement – an important document

Anyone who works and is a member of a pension fund also saves for their retirement in the second pillar. The pension fund pension supplements the OASI pension. Together, the two pensions make up our income after retirement.

Did you know that, for most people, the retirements savings held in their pension fund are one of their biggest assets? They steadily build up those savings through the relevant salary deductions and the employer contributions. Every year, the pension fund provides information on the current status in the personal pension fund statement or insurance certificate.

It is worth taking a look at this pension fund statement on a regular basis. Especially for retirement provision, this is an important component in end-to-end pension planning. For this, Helvetia offers an online pension analysis. This will give you an initial overview of your financial future and allow you to promptly spot any gaps in provision that you can then specifically close.  

Anyone insured with a Helvetia pension fund can view their latest insurance certificate online on myHelvetia. Here, they can also simulate a voluntary purchase, for example, or immediately produce an online pension analysis based on the pension fund statement. 

Retroactive purchases in pillar 3a

Anyone making provision for themselves privately usually uses the third pillar for this. In addition to OASI and the pension fund benefits, pillar 3a is an important tool for making provision. However, it is not always possible to make the maximum contribution and shortfalls can arise. Any such shortfalls that arise from 2025 onwards can be made up for the first time in 2026. The regulation in this regard will enter into effect on 1 January 2025.

However, there are a few things to bear in mind. For example, the person must have earned an income subject to OASI contributions. Both in the year in which the shortfall arose and in the year in which they intend to make a retroactive purchase. And before a purchase can be made, they must have already paid the maximum contribution in the year in question. 

Read more about this and other aspects of the framework for retroactive purchases in pillar 3a in the latest “Helvetia – News on the 2nd pillar”, in the section entitled Market and social insurance, and in the guide “Pillar 3a. Tied pension provision”.