Battle over widow’s pension: Federal Council wants to save money – except itself

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The Federal Council wants to save on widows. About a billion francs a year. Lifelong pensions will be abolished for surviving relatives. Even current pensions are not guaranteed. Anyone who is younger than 55 at the time of the introduction of the reform may lose their previous pension.

The government wants to adapt the rules to the changed ‘social reality’. Ultimately, the image of women on which they are based is outdated. It is believed that women face financial difficulties when the breadwinner dies – regardless of whether they care for the children or not.

142,000 francs also for childless widows

That is why childless widows nowadays also receive a pension – unlike widowers. This has resulted in Switzerland receiving a complaint from the European Court of Justice for discrimination against men. Now the Federal Council wants to amend the law so that women and men are treated equally in the future.

From 2026, survivor’s pensions will be available until the 25th birthday of the youngest child. If the partner subsequently dies, the federal government wants to pay a transitional pension of two years.

But when it comes to the magistrates themselves, things are different: the changed ‘social reality’ apparently plays no role for current or resigned federal councilors, federal judges or federal chancellors, the Tamedia newspapers write. In the future there will no longer be any restrictions on “care and parenting time”.

Instead, the following should continue to apply: if a current or former member of the Federal Council dies, the partner will receive a survivor’s pension of approximately 142,000 francs per year – regardless of whether he or she has children or not.

Different rules apply to federal council members

The aim is to guarantee the relatives of current and former members of the Federal Council a life without financial worries. The pension may only be reduced if, together with any other income, it exceeds the annual amount of 236,500 francs – half the salary of the Federal Council.

With the new arrangement, the Federal Council wants to eliminate gender inequality in the AHV, the Federal Chancellery argued against the Tamedia newspapers. Today, however, there is no such unequal treatment when it comes to magistrates’ survivors’ pensions.

In addition, pensions and survivor’s pensions for federal councilors are “only comparable to a limited extent” with AHV pensions. This is evident, for example, from the fact that they are reduced depending on the additional income.

Add to this: Parliament issued the regulation on the remuneration and occupational pensions of magistrates, and not the Federal Council. So it is up to him to make any changes.

Federal councilors in particular cost money after they resign

The pensions of former federal councilors in particular have often led to discussions in parliament. They correspond to half the salary of a federal councilor, approximately 236,500 francs per year. Because they are paid immediately after their discharge, it costs the federal government money.

According to Tamedia newspapers, the federal government will have spent 4.3 million francs on this in 2022, including survivor’s pensions – more than on the salaries of the sitting federal councilors. (dba)

Source:Blick