Despite criticism from the trade unions: National Council Committee wants to abolish old-age pensions for children

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The decision was taken by the National Council’s Committee for Social Security and Health (SGK-N) by 16 votes to 9, parliamentary services announced on Friday. A left-wing minority is against the motion. The larger chamber will then decide on the proposal.

According to the text of the motion, the abolition of child pensions in the AHV and occupational pension schemes should be accompanied by a simultaneous increase in supplementary benefits for parents with maintenance obligations. In addition, survivor’s pensions – also known as orphan’s pensions – and child pensions in the event of disability and their further payment at AHV age may not be affected.

The Commission wants to eliminate discrimination

According to the National Council Committee, existing old-age pensions for children should continue to be paid until the end of the eligibility requirements. However, this requires improving transparency about payouts and the prevention of possible abuse.

According to the announcement, the SGK-N wants to specifically eliminate discrimination with the requested changes. Nowadays it is mainly retirees who receive a child pension, regardless of their financial situation. This puts them in a better position than retirees and working-age families. Changes are indicated “with a view to economic sustainability and social justice for all generations”.

More than 230 million francs annually

The costs of child pensions have risen sharply over the past twenty years and amount to more than 230 million francs per year in the AHV alone, as shown in the written reasons for the motion. More than ninety percent of pensions now go to men; Because only few women live to be over fifty years old.

The abolition of the child pension is not a new concern. The National Council had already insisted on this during the debate surrounding the 12th AHV revision about seven years ago.

Criticism of the unions

The child pension is a supplement to the old-age pension for insured persons who support children up to the age of 18 or – if they are in training – up to 25 years of age. The child pension amounts to a maximum of 40 percent of your own old-age pension.

If both parents receive an old-age pension, they are now entitled to a pension for two children. Together these may not exceed sixty percent of the maximum old-age pension.

Working parents receive 200 to 300 francs per child per month. Pensioners receive a child pension of 478 to 956 francs per month.

The unions strongly criticize the decision. “The decision is shameful,” they wrote in a press release. It’s another disassembly project. The loss of children’s pensions would jeopardize the ability of some young adults to complete their initial education. (SDA/brother)

Source:Blick