Savings, wage deduction, VAT or inheritance tax: where does Baume-Schneider get the money for the 13th AHV?

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It was a massive no and an even more spectacular yes: Switzerland does not want to work anymore, but instead wants a 13th AHV pension. The responsible federal councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (60) fought in vain against her party and the unions against a 13th pension. Now it’s up to her to find the money she needs. The introduction of a 13th AHV pension will cost the federal government an additional 800 million annually from 2026.

The crucial question that needs to be clarified now is: who should pay for this and how? Especially since the federal treasury is already missing from every corner. The Minister of the Interior did not give any indication on this question on Sunday. The financing issue will be discussed in the Federal Council and a decision will be made this year, Baume-Schneider told media.

It is also unclear whether the additional federal contribution should be saved elsewhere: it is too early to answer this question, Baume-Schneider said. Higher payroll tax or VAT is an issue, the initiators in turn have not indicated how the pension supplement should be paid.

“It’s on the left”

After the Federal Council, Parliament will also have to consider Baume-Schneider’s proposal. As far as the parties are concerned, they disagree on the issue of financing.

It is now up to the left to come up with a proposal, FDP president Thierry Burkart (48) said lightly to Blick. He is also not confident that financing will be completed in 2026. Then you have to save the necessary money for education, agriculture or development aid, he warns.

SP co-chair Mattea Meyer (36) spoke to Blick in favor of higher wage taxes. They show solidarity because those with higher wages are hit harder. But with this proposal, the right-wing parties are raising the barricades: they say they reject all higher wage deductions or VAT percentages. SVP State Councilor Franz Grüter (60, LU) demanded that the additional costs of the 13th AHV pension be offset only by savings.

Raising the retirement age would also reduce the financial burden for the AHV. An increase of one year to age 66 would reduce the burden on the AHV by approximately 2 billion francs, which would cover almost half the cost of the 13th AHV pension. However, given the overwhelming rejection of the pension initiative, it is unlikely that such a measure will be an option in the near future.

Mini fee for financial transactions

Center faction leader Philipp Matthias Bregy (45) would now like to initiate the discussion about a new tax. In a proposal, the Center called on the Federal Council to investigate whether the AHV could be secured for a longer period with a mini tax on stock exchange transactions. For each transaction on the financial markets, 0.1 percent of the trade value must be charged. On Sunday, the Evangelical People’s Party (EPP) spoke out in favor of a national inheritance tax on “large inheritances”, which could secure the financing of AHV. The Greens would also welcome such a tax.

The next emotional voting battle over pension provisions is already within reach. Occupational pension reform, which is being fought against by the left, is likely to be voted on this year.

It entails, among other things, a lower conversion rate for the calculation of pensions and compensation for transition cohorts. Voting Sunday was a motivational boost for the left-wing parties: after the results they have confidence in the vote in the autumn, SP co-leader Meyer tells Blick.

Source:Blick