Nearly 2.7 million pensioners to receive Switzerland’s first 13th AHV pension

Switzerland will pay its first 13th AHV pension in December to nearly 2.7 million eligible pensioners at home and abroad.

Voters approved the additional annual payment in March 2024 through an initiative proposed by trade unions and left-wing parties.

The supplement equals one-twelfth of a person’s annual old-age pension, so the amount varies; the average is about 1,580 Swiss francs.

Payments will be made automatically by AHV compensation funds, either with the regular December pension or separately.

The extra pension will not reduce supplementary benefits, and some other types of pension are not included in the calculation.

The system must distribute 9.28 billion francs in December for the regular and additional payments, and officials have prepared for the extra work and questions.

How the 13th pension will be financed has not yet been settled.