The amounts for 2026 and 2027
The Federal Council raised AHV and IV pensions by 1.59 % from 1 January 2027 (decision of 2 October 2026). Pensions are usually adjusted every two years.
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum pension (single) | CHF 1’260 | CHF 1’280 |
| Maximum pension (single) | CHF 2’520 | CHF 2’560 |
| Maximum for married couples (150 %) | CHF 3,780 | CHF 3’840 |
| Income needed for the maximum | CHF 90’720 | CHF 92’160 |
How your pension is calculated
Two factors count: the number of contribution years and your average annual income over your career (revalued). With 44 full years and an average income of CHF 70’000, the 2027 pension is around CHF 2’265 per month. Each missing year reduces the pension by roughly 1/44 for life.
This matters for expats: someone who arrives at 35 and works in Switzerland until 65 has about 30 contribution years. With the same income, the Swiss pension would be around CHF 1’544 instead of CHF 2’265. Years worked in EU/EFTA countries or states with a social security agreement can lead to separate pensions from those countries.
- Full record: 44 contribution years
- Each missing year: about −1/44
- Foreign years may give separate pensions
Early or late retirement
The reference age is 65 for women and men. The pension can be drawn from 63 (reduced by around 6.8 % per year, for life) or deferred up to 70 (supplement of up to 31.5 %). Partial early or late withdrawal is possible. The 13th pension equals one twelfth of the annual pension actually paid.
If you leave Switzerland before retirement, your AHV entitlement is not lost. Depending on your nationality and destination, you receive the pension abroad later, or – for some non-agreement countries – can request a refund of contributions.
AHV contributions while you work
Employees pay AHV/IV/EO contributions of 5.3 % of salary, matched by the employer – there is no upper limit, but the pension is capped. Self-employed people pay up to around 10 %. Non-working residents, such as students over 20 or early retirees, pay a minimum contribution of CHF 541 per year from 2027, based on their assets and pension income.
Married couples have their incomes split during the years of marriage, and parents receive education credits for years with children under 16. These credits can significantly raise the pension of a parent who worked part-time or not at all.
AHV alone is not enough
Even the maximum pension of CHF 2’560 covers only part of typical living costs in Switzerland. The second pillar (pension fund) and the third pillar (3a, private savings) close the gap. Request a free extract of your individual account (IK) from your compensation office to check for gaps – they can only be filled for five years retroactively.
Track your real numbers in BudgetHub: enter income and fixed costs once and see each month what is left – free, no bank connection, data hosted in Switzerland.