- The maximum monthly AHV/AVS retirement pension is CHF 2,520
- The AVS pension for married couples is capped at 150% of the maximum pension
- Bonuses for educational or assistance tasks can increase the annuity
- The maximum pension is reached when an insured has paid AHV contributions from age 21 until retirement.
How do you calculate an AHV pension?
The calculation of an AHV pension is based on three elements: (1) the contribution period, (2) the average annual income , and (3) the bonuses for educational or assistance tasks. To obtain a personalized estimate, you can use online tools such as ESCAL, made available by the Swiss Compensation Fund.
We also recommend that you consult your individual account (IA) to check the accuracy of the data recorded, as it directly affects the amount of your future pension.
AVS pension scale
The pension scale of the Swiss Old Age and Survivors Insurance (AVS) is determined based on two main factors: the contribution duration and the average annual income.
Contribution period
To qualify for a full pension (scale 44), you must have contributed without interruption from the year of your 21st birthday until the retirement age. Any gaps in contributions may result in a proportional reduction of the pension.
Average annual income
The average annual income is calculated by taking into account all of your income subject to AVS throughout your working life. The income earned during the years of marriage is divided and attributed equally to each spouse, a procedure called "splitting".
Pension amounts
OASI pension amounts are adjusted periodically. From January 1, 2025, the monthly amounts of full pensions (scale 44) will be as follows:
- Minimum pension : CHF 1,260
- Maximum pension : CHF 2,520
- Maximum amount for a married couple : CHF 3,780
Bonuses for educational or care duties
Fictitious credits are granted for periods during which you raised children or cared for dependents in need of assistance. These credits can increase the amount of your pension.
Pension in the event of early retirement
You can request payment of your pension until 2 years before reference age (from age 63 for men and 62 for women in 2024). The reduction applied is then permanent and irreversible.
For each year of early retirement, a percentage reduction is applied to the total pension amount. The rates vary and range between 0.6% and 13.6% in 2024, depending on the number of months. Additionally, the insured person must continue contributing to AVS/AI/APG until reaching the reference age.
- Anticipation period
- Reduction
- 6 months
- 1 year
- 1 year and 6 months
- 2 years
- - 3.4%
- - 6.8%
- - 10.2 %
- - 13.6 %
Deferment of annuity
The deferment of AHV pension allows defer the start of your pension payments after the reference age. In return, your pension will be enhanced permanently. This option is interesting if you wish to continue working after the reference age, or if you do not need the pension immediately.
You can defer your pension for a period of 1 to 5 years after the reference age, and this deferral can be interrupted at any time during this period to start receiving the pension. The full scale is available on the AVS website.
- Duration of postponement
- Increase
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5 years
- + 5.2 %
- + 10.8 %
- + 17.1 %
- + 24 %
- + 31.5 %
Calculating bonuses for educational duties
The bonus for educational duties is granted to persons with dependent children of under 16. It is counted as fictitious income, only when calculating the pension, and is based on the triple old-age pension minimum annual premium in force at the time of the insured event.
If the minimum annual pension is CHF 14,400 (2024), then : the annual bonus is CHF 43,200 (3×14,400). This amount is distributed over the years of contribution and added to the average annual income.
Calculating bonuses for care work
The bonuses for care work are used to improve the AVS pension of people who have taken care of a relative in need of care. As in the case of bonuses for educational tasks, they are considered notional income and added to the pension calculation. To benefit from them, the person receiving care must receive an allowance for helplessness and live nearby (less than 30 km or an hour's journey).
The bonus also corresponds to triple the minimum annual pension at the time the pension is calculated, divided by the years of contributions to be added to the average annual income. However, only one bonus may be granted per calendar year, and this must be requested from the cantonal compensation fund each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request an AHV future pension calculation?
Yes, it is possible to make a request for a future pension calculation from the AVS to get an estimate of your future retirement pension. To do so, please submit your request to the Swiss Compensation Office (Geneva) or the compensation office in your canton.
How do you calculate a couple's AHV pension?
The calculation of the AVS pension for a married couple is based on the income distribution, the splitting, and the capping, which amounts to a maximum of 150% of the individual maximum pension.
Can I take early retirement and receive an AHV pension?
Yes, it is possible to take early retirement and receive an AVS pension in Switzerland before the reference age (65 for men and 64 for women, or 65 for both starting in 2028), as early as 2 years before the official retirement age.
However, this results in a permanent reduction of your pension amount (up to -13.6% in the case of early retirement by 2 years).
How do you fill the gaps left by lost years of AHV contributions?
The law allows for the recovery of contributions due for the last 5 years only. Other methods exist to fill gaps in AVS contributions. It is possible to make buybacks in the 2nd pillar as well as payments into the 3a pillar to increase the total pensions received upon retirement.
