Can you afford early retirement?

In short

Stopping earlier costs you three times.

The pension fund has a smaller balance and uses a lower conversion rate. OASI cuts the pension for life by 6.8 percent per year of early drawing. And until 65 you keep paying OASI contributions.

As of 12 October 2026 · AHVG Art. 40, BVG Art. 13 · Sources bsv.admin.ch, faq.bsv.admin.ch, ahv-iv.ch and 1 more

CalculatorWith your numbers

What does it cost you to stop earlier?

The figures are on your pension statement and in your pension fund's regulations. Start with the example values and adjust them.

How many years before 65 do you want to stop?

Depending on its regulations the pension fund pays from 58 at the earliest.

years

Pension fund balance at 65

The projection is on your pension statement.

CHF

OASI pension at 65 per month

At most CHF 2,520 for individuals, as of 2026.

CHF

Calculate in more detail

This much is still added every year until 65

Savings credits and interest. These amounts are missing if you leave earlier.

CHF

Conversion rate at 65

It is in your pension fund's regulations.

Conversion rate for earlier drawing

It is lower because the pension runs longer. It too is in the regulations.

Draw OASI how many years earlier?

From 63 at the earliest. Each year cuts the pension for life by 6.8 percent.

years

Income per month if you leave earlier

CHF 4,113once OASI is paid as well

Less than at 65

CHF 379per month, for life

At 65

CHF 4,492

2 years earlier

CHF 4,113

If you leave 2 years earlier, you have around CHF 379 less per month. This is because of the smaller balance and the lower conversion rate. On top you bridge 2 years without OASI and keep paying OASI contributions, at least CHF 530 a year.

Simplified, before tax and without the 13th OASI pension. Reduction rate according to FSIO, lower rates apply for women of the birth years 1961 to 1969. The regulations of your pension fund are what counts. Not advice.

Want to know more?

What does each year earlier cost you?

Smaller balance. The savings credits and interest of the last years are missing.
Lower conversion rate. The pension runs longer, so there is less pension per franc of balance.
Reduced OASI. If you draw it early, 6.8 percent per year and for good.
Continued OASI contributions. Until reference age as a non-working person.

What does that mean in francs?

At 65 you would have a balance of CHF 500,000 and a conversion rate of 5.5 percent. That gives a pension of CHF 2,292 a month. If you stop two years earlier, for example CHF 50,000 of balance is missing and the rate falls to 5.1 percent. Then it is CHF 1,913, so CHF 379 less a month, for life. If you also draw OASI two years early, with an OASI pension of CHF 2,200 you lose a further CHF 299 a month.

The values are an example. Your figures are on your pension statement and in the regulations.

How do you go about it?

Calculate five to ten years ahead. With the pension statement and an OASI pension forecast.
Check buy-ins. Many pension funds allow buy-ins for early retirement. They lower your taxes.
Decide between pension and capital. The deadline for the choice is in the regulations, often years before drawing.
Stagger pillar 3a. From five years before reference age you can draw the accounts in different years.

What many people get wrong

“I can simply draw OASI at 60.” From 63 at the earliest.
“The reduction only applies until 65.” It applies for life.
“Anyone who does not work pays no OASI.” Until reference age they do.

From when can I retire early?

The pension fund pays from 58 at the earliest, depending on its regulations. OASI you can draw from 63 at the earliest, since the AHV 21 reform also month by month. So you can stop working earlier and draw OASI later.

How much does OASI reduce the pension for early drawing?

By 6.8 percent per year, for life. Two years of early drawing therefore cut the pension by 13.6 percent. For women of the birth years 1961 to 1969, lower reduction rates apply because of the AHV 21 reform.

Do I still have to pay OASI contributions after retiring early?

Yes, until reference age as a non-working person. The contributions depend on your assets and your pension income, at least CHF 530 a year, as of 2026. If you are married and your partner works, this can fall away.

What is a bridging pension?

Some pension funds or employers pay an additional pension until OASI. That way you do not have to draw OASI early. Whether and how this works is in the regulations.

One more question

Can I also stop only partly?

Yes. Many pension funds allow partial retirement. You reduce your workload and draw part of the benefits. You can also draw OASI partly early.

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Sources and date 12 October 2026

FSIO: AHV 21, more flexibility in retirement, in German
FSIO: More favourable reduction rates for early drawing of the pension, in German
FSIO: Old-age provision in occupational pensions, in German
AHV/IV: Fact sheet 2.03 Contributions of non-working persons, in German
ch.ch: Planning your retirement, in German

This page explains in general terms and does not replace personal advice. Law and your policy are what counts.