Politics · Switzerland · 14 hrs ago
Swiss farmers and business groups split over pension reform
Swiss farmers and business groups are divided over a proposed reform of occupational pensions, known in Switzerland as the BVG reform.
Business groups support it, while the farmers’ association has decided not to recommend a yes or no vote.
The reform aims to improve pension benefits for people on low incomes, but it would raise employers’ costs.
Farming is a low-wage sector, and farmers say they would also have to pay more into pension funds.
Some farm workers could take home less pay because of higher deductions, according to a farmer quoted in the story.
The dispute strains an alliance formed by the farmers’ association and three major business groups, which have often campaigned together.
Farmers also backed the 13th state pension payment, which business groups opposed, and their parliamentary presence grew after the 2023 elections.
The association’s decision leaves members to choose for themselves in the BVG vote; no result is given.
Swiss farmers and business groups are divided over a proposed reform of occupational pensions.
The business groups support the reform, while the farmers’ association has decided not to endorse either side.
The reform would improve pension coverage for people on low incomes but raise employer costs.
Agriculture is a low-wage sector, and farmers say the changes would also increase their pension contributions.
The split is adding strain to an alliance between farming and business organisations formed two years ago.
- Who
- The Swiss Farmers’ Association and business groups, including economiesuisse, the employers’ association and the trade association.
- What
- They are divided over the occupational pension reform. The farmers’ association has decided to leave the vote open.
- When
- The article was published on 23 October 2026. The date of the reform vote is not stated.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- The reform would improve pension provision for people on low incomes but increase costs for employers, including agricultural businesses.
Swiss farmers
Swiss business groups
Reform position
Swiss farmers
The Farmers’ Association opposes the reform in parliament and has left the vote open; the article reports a strong trend against it among farmers.
Swiss business groups
The business groups support the reform.
Costs
Swiss farmers
Farmers say the reform would be very expensive and would increase their pension contributions.
Swiss business groups
The article says the reform would raise employer costs; it does not give the business groups’ reasoning for supporting it.
The alliance between the farmers’ association and major business groups went public.
The alliance contested the elections as Perspective Switzerland; the article says the farmers’ parliamentary representation grew from 20 to 30 members.
Voters approved the 13th AHV pension, which the business groups had opposed; many farmers supported it.
The Farmers’ Association decided to leave the vote open, while business groups supported the pension reform.
- Farmers’ parliamentary representation
- Rose from 20 to 30 National Council and Council of States members
- Business groups
- Economiesuisse, the employers’ association and the trade association
- Farmers’ Association position
- Left the vote open
- Agricultural sector
- Described as a typical low-wage sector
- Reform effect
- Higher pension contributions for employers and improved provision for people on low incomes
What people are saying
The reform will be enormously expensive
We already have discussions about this on the farm