Politics · Switzerland · 8 hrs ago
Swiss government proposes reform to strengthen disability insurance
Switzerland’s Federal Council has sent a disability insurance reform for consultation to improve work support and stabilize the insurance’s finances.
The plan would give people aged 18 to 24 with serious mental illnesses about 1,000 francs a month, alongside regular, tailored advice to help them enter or remain in work.
The government estimates this support could benefit about 1,000 people and help prevent around one-third of new disability pensions in this age group.
New disability pension claims have risen in recent years, especially among young people, with mental illness a main reason for the increase.
To raise revenue, the plan would increase payroll contributions by 0.2 percentage points and add a temporary contribution on income above about 181,000 francs; it would also send part of casino taxes to the insurance.
It would also raise the threshold for a full pension for new recipients and cut some daily benefits, while improving support through other stages of work integration.
The consultation runs until early February, after which the proposal will move through Switzerland’s political process.
The Swiss Federal Council has opened consultation on a proposed reform of disability insurance, aiming to improve employment integration and stabilise its finances.
The plan would introduce a monthly integration payment of about 1,000 francs for young people with severe mental illnesses.
It would raise disability insurance contributions by 0.2 percentage points and introduce temporary extra contributions on high incomes.
The proposals would also raise the threshold for a full disability pension and cut some daily benefits.
The consultation is open until early February.
- Who
- The Swiss Federal Council proposed the reform. The measures affect disability insurance recipients, employees and employers.
- What
- The proposal combines employment-integration measures with spending cuts and higher revenues.
- When
- The Federal Council sent the proposal for consultation on 4 November 2026. The consultation runs until early February.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- The government says the reform is needed to strengthen vocational integration, especially for young people, and stabilise disability insurance finances.
Federal Council
Swiss Employers Association
Funding approach
Federal Council
The Federal Council says additional revenue is needed alongside spending cuts, including higher payroll contributions.
Swiss Employers Association
The Employers Association says structural measures and discussion of spending are necessary; it argues that financing through payroll contributions harms the labour market, work incentives and Switzerland’s position.
Reform measures
Federal Council
The Federal Council proposes an integration benefit and financial measures to stabilise disability insurance.
Swiss Employers Association
The Employers Association welcomes the proposed integration benefit but says structural measures are essential.
The Federal Council sent the disability insurance reform proposal for consultation.
The proposed 0.2-percentage-point increase in disability insurance contributions would generate about 980 million francs in additional revenue.
The proposal would impose temporary extra contributions on income above 181,440 francs.
The consultation is due to end.
- Integration payment
- About 1,000 francs per month
- Eligible age group
- 18 to 24 years, according to SRF
- Contribution increase
- 0.2 percentage points
- High-income threshold
- 181,440 francs
- Temporary high-income contribution
- 0.6 percentage points on income above the threshold
- Consultation deadline
- Early February
5 sources
IV-Reform: So will der Bundesrat die Invalidenversicherung sanieren
Finanzielle Massnahmen – So will der Bundesrat die Invalidenversicherung sanieren
Bundesrat schickt IV-Reform in die Vernehmlassung
What people are saying
Es ist eine finanzielle Unterstützung. Vor allem aber ist es eine Integrationsmassnahme mit massgeschneiderten Leistungen zugunsten der Menschen und ihres Eintritts in den Arbeitsmarkt.
Allein über Ausgabenkürzungen könnte die IV nicht saniert werden. Es brauche Zusatzeinnahmen.
Denn eine Finanzierung über ist Lohnprozente das Schädlichste, das es gibt. Es belastet den Arbeitsmarkt, Arbeitgeber und Arbeitnehmer, die Arbeitsanreize und den Standort Schweiz.