We clarify the most important questions about the retirement age in Switzerland and look at the provisions for the AHV-21 transition generation. We also show you when early retirement is possible and how long you can postpone retirement.
Contents
| What is the reference age? | |
| What applies to the AHV-21 transition generation? | |
| Can I retire earlier or later than the reference age? |
What is the reference age?
Since 2024, the retirement age for women and men in Switzerland has been 65. The official term for the retirement age is now also “reference age” and no longer “ordinary retirement age”. There are special transitional provisions for the reference age for women born between 1961 and 1963. More on this in the following section.
Where is the normal retirement age set in Switzerland?
The provisions on the reference age can be found in the AHV Act. The reference age also applies to the pension fund (BVG) and pillar 3a.
Retirement age for women in Switzerland: What applies to the AHV-21 transition generation?
The AHV 21 reform introduces a transitional generation with special provisions on the reference age. Specifically, the retirement age for women born between 1961 and 1963 will be increased by three months per year:
- Women born up to and including 1960: retirement at the age of 64, no increase in the reference age
- Women born in 1961: retirement at 64 years and three months
- Women born in 1962: retirement at 64 years and six months
- Women born in 1963: retirement at 64 years and nine months
- Women born in 1964 or later: retirement at the age of 65
There is also financial compensation for the AHV-21 transitional generation born between 1961 and 1969 in the form of:
- a pension supplement
- or reduced reduction rates in the event of early retirement
You can calculate your pension supplement and the reduced reduction rates on the website of the Federal Social Insurance Office (only available in German).
Can I retire earlier or later than the reference age?
You do not necessarily have to retire at 65. You can also retire earlier or later. The provisions on early retirement or deferral of retirement are different for AHV, pension fund, vested benefits accounts and Pillar 3.
1st Pillar: AHV pensions (- 2 years / + 5 years)
The AHV can be drawn one or two years in advance:
- Men: on the first day of the month following your 63rd birthday at the earliest
- Women: at the earliest on the first day of the month after your 63rd birthday, for women born between 1961 and 1969 after your 62nd birthday
The AHV pension can also be deferred for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years. After one year, the AHV pension can be called up and drawn at any time at the beginning of a specific month. You therefore do not have to determine the deferral period in advance.
2nd Pillar: Pension fund assets (58 – 70 years)
Pension funds can provide for early retirement in their regulations. They can retire their insured members, whether men or women, at the earliest at the age of 58. The regulations may also allow pension provision to continue until the end of employment, but up to a maximum of 70.
2nd Pillar: Vested benefits (+/- 5 years)
Vested benefits can be drawn at the earliest five years before and at the latest five years after reaching ordinary retirement age. From 2030, a deferral of five years is only possible on condition that you continue to be gainfully employed (proof required).
Exceptions are the usual early withdrawal options, for example the purchase of residential property. In the case of deferral beyond the normal retirement age, there is no* condition for continued employment.
3rd Pillar: Tied pension provision 3a (+/- 5 years)
3a assets may be paid out no earlier than five years before the normal retirement age. If employment is continued beyond the normal retirement age, the withdrawal can be postponed by a maximum of five years. You can read more about “Pillar 3a payout after retirement” in the linked article.
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