class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>
The initiative for a 13th AHV pension has a good chance with voters. There is even more debate over how the R5 billion subsidy could ever be financed. “To keep everything on track, payroll tax, VAT and/or federal taxes would have to be increased,” complains employer chairman Severin Moser (61) at Blick. This would impact those in jobs who would lose their purchasing power. “That is unfair and antisocial.”
SGB chief economist Daniel Lampart (55) does not accept this criticism. “The opponents of our initiative are painting the devil on the wall, but ignore the fact that social security contributions have fallen in recent years.”
tax decreased
He bases this on federal figures: if you look at the past ten years, the burden was highest in 2018 at 34 percent of the total wage bill, and lowest in 2022 at 33.1 percent. This includes contributions for AHV, IV, income compensation, unemployment insurance, company pension provision and accident insurance.
The difference of 0.9 percent is therefore slightly above the salary portion that would be needed to finance the 13th AHV pension. According to the Federal Council, the wage rate in favor of the AHV should be increased by 0.8 percentage points – 0.4 percentage points each for employers and employees.
“The financing of the 13th AHV pension therefore falls within the scope of the previous social contributions,” says Lampart. He assumes that the scope will become even greater. Because in 2023 the burden would probably be even lower.
Less for accident insurance
According to Lampart, the reason for the decline is mainly due to declining accident insurance premiums, because the number of occupational accidents has decreased. He also sees a slight decrease in BVG premiums and child benefits.
“Last year, the solidarity percentage on high incomes in unemployment insurance also disappeared,” he explains. And in the foreseeable future, ALV premiums will probably decrease for everyone, because the unemployment fund is on a healthy basis. It is clear to Lampart: “The 13th AHV pension can be financed without any problems.”
Rising costs of living
Given rising rents, healthcare premiums and general inflation, this is urgently needed. “The rising cost of living consumes an average of one month of pension, so compensation is urgently needed.”
This is especially true because the majority of seniors benefit from the AHV. “More than 90 percent receive more pension than they ever paid in – the AHV return is nothing short of spectacular, especially for low and middle incomes,” the trade union economist emphasizes. “The vast majority only get so much pension for their money through the AHV!”
Lower corporate taxes
Lampart considers the 13th AHV pension justified for another reason: because of the declining tax burden for companies. According to the BAK Tax Index, this has fallen from 19.7 to 13.5 percent since 2003.
“Companies pay less and less taxes and in return employers want people to have to work even longer,” criticizes – referring to the fact that the employers’ organization has decided on the yes slogan for the pension initiative of the Young Liberals. This wants to increase the retirement age. “This calculation is incorrect.”
There will be a pension showdown at the ballot box on March 3. The voters will then decide on two AHV initiatives: on the one hand, on the unions’ popular initiative for a 13th AHV pension. On the other hand, about the pension initiative of the Young Liberals.
The trade unions’ popular initiative “for a better life in old age” calls for the introduction of a 13th AHV pension. If the answer is yes, a thirteenth monthly salary for seniors will be added to the previous twelve monthly pensions.
The Young Liberals’ pension initiative aims to increase the retirement age. First, it must gradually increase from 65 to 66 years by 2033 and then be linked to life expectancy: for each additional month of life expectancy, it must increase by 0.8 months – to 67, 68 or more. Automatically.
Details about both initiatives can be found here.
There will be a pension showdown at the ballot box on March 3. The voters will then decide on two AHV initiatives: on the one hand, the unions’ popular initiative for a 13th AHV pension. On the other hand, about the pension initiative of the Young Liberals.
The trade unions’ popular initiative “for a better life in old age” calls for the introduction of a 13th AHV pension. If the answer is yes, a thirteenth monthly salary for seniors will be added to the previous twelve monthly pensions.
The Young Liberals’ pension initiative aims to increase the retirement age. First, it must gradually increase from 65 to 66 years by 2033 and then be linked to life expectancy: for each additional month of life expectancy, it must increase by 0.8 months – to 67, 68 or more. Automatically.
Details about both initiatives can be found here.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
