How high is the AHV pension?

The AHV is the Old-Age and Survivors’ Insurance. It is the first pillar of retirement provision. Anyone who lives or works in Switzerland is usually insured. The ongoing contributions of people in work finance today’s pensions. The AHV secures basic support in old age. On its own it usually does not cover your usual standard of living.

The pension depends on your income and your contribution years. With a full contribution period, a range applies.

• Minimum pension CHF 1,260 a month.
• Maximum pension CHF 2,520 a month.

A full contribution period means you have not missed any contribution years.

Anyone who receives an old-age pension gets one extra monthly pension per year. The 13th old-age pension is paid out for the first time in December 2026. This information is current as of 5 October 2026.

On 29 November 2026 Switzerland decides on the financing of the 13th old-age pension. The payment in December 2026 is not affected. The vote is about where the money comes from in future. A higher value added tax is planned. This is the tax on goods and services.

• Standard rate rises from 8.1 to 8.5 percent.
• Special rate for hotels rises from 3.8 to 4.0 percent.
• Reduced rate stays at 2.6 percent.

An example. On a purchase at the standard rate with a net price of CHF 100, you pay 40 centimes more tax if the vote is Yes.

If the vote is No, today’s rates stay. If the vote is Yes, the federal government would put the change into force later.

The Federal Council and Parliament recommend a Yes. They want to secure the 13th old-age pension with additional revenue. The opponents, including the FDP, warn of lower purchasing power. They prefer to cut spending rather than raise taxes. This page gives no voting recommendation. It is current as of 5 October 2026.

On 2 October 2026 the Federal Council decided new values. They only apply from 1.1.2027. The 2026 values stay valid until then.

• Minimum pension CHF 1,280 a month.
• Maximum pension CHF 2,560 a month.
• Minimum contribution for self-employed and people without earned income CHF 541 a year. Until now it is CHF 530.

With the 13th old-age pension you receive 13 monthly pensions per year.

• 2026 The maximum pension comes to CHF 32,760 a year. The minimum pension comes to CHF 16,380 a year.
• From 1.1.2027 The maximum pension comes to CHF 33,280 a year. The minimum pension comes to CHF 16,640 a year.

The maximum pension thus rises by CHF 520 a year. The minimum pension rises by CHF 260 a year.

• “The AHV is enough to live on.” It often covers only basic costs. The pension fund and pillar 3a close the gap.
• “Without a job I pay nothing.” People without earned income also pay a minimum contribution, otherwise gaps arise in the pension.