National Council rejects initiative for 13th AHV pension

The decision, initiated by the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB), was preceded by a debate that lasted almost six hours. Originally, the Bureau of the National Council did not expect the conclusion until Thursday. The case goes to the Council of States.

With the no, the bourgeois majority triumphed. She criticized the project as an unfinanceable expansion on the watering can principle.

Pension funds’ pensions are declining

The left sees the initiative as a necessary step. The Vaud SP National Councilor and SGB Chairman Pierre-Yves Maillard (54) said the current system no longer fulfills the promise of protecting people from poverty in old age.

The chairman of the SGB pointed out that pensions from pension funds have been declining for years despite increasing contributions from workers. Due to inflation, rising rents and health insurance premiums, pensioners have less and less to live on.

Additional services are not a solution

The system of supplementary benefits can already provide for the basic needs of pensioners today if the pension is not enough, said Andri Silberschmidt, spokesman for the committee and National Councilor of the Zurich FDP, Andri Silberschmidt (28). The 3-pillar system is proven. Today, 87 percent of pensioners do not receive a supplement. But the initiative wants an extension based on the watering can principle.

Silberschmidt was criticized by the left. The idea that supplementary benefits are the answer to the problem of old age poverty is shocking, said Neuchâtel SP national councilor Baptiste Hurni (36). The Basel Green National Councilor Sibel Arslan (42) pointed out that many of those affected were embarrassed to use the services.

Federal Council rejects initiative

The Federal Council opposes the initiative. He argues that a 13th retirement pension would considerably worsen the financial situation of the AHV. In 2032, an assumption would result in additional expenditure of about five billion francs – on top of the already predicted benefit deficit of 4.7 billion francs. In addition, recipients of an IV pension would be disadvantaged compared to retirees.

Several speakers from the SP and the Greens emphasized the advantages of the AHV. Your redistribution mechanism corresponds exactly with the constitutional mandate to guarantee a dignified life for everyone, said Green National Councilor Balthasar Glättli (50).

AHV reinforcement closes pension gap

Only the AHV takes unpaid nursing and care work into account, says SP council member Sandra Locher Benguerel (47) van Graubünden. By strengthening these, the pension gap for women can be closed.

The accusation that the 3rd pillar in old-age provision is becoming increasingly important has been voiced several times by the left-wing camp, which only serves banks and insurance companies. St. Gallen SP alderman Barbara Gysi (58) said that you have to deposit much more money in the 3rd pillar than in the AHV in order to receive the same benefit later.

Financial worries among the common people

Financial concerns prevailed among citizens. You should not pass the burden on to future generations.

“The project is simply not financeable,” says Regine Sauter (56), FDP National Councilor in Zurich. The initiators had not shown any financing option, said middle class council member Thomas Rechsteiner (51). Higher wage deductions or an increase in VAT would be economically harmful. And financing from the National Bank’s profits is not realistic.

Initiative is unbalanced

The initiative has been criticized as unbalanced. “The 13th monthly pension also goes to millionaires,” says Lukas Reimann (40), SVP national councilor of St. Gallen. The approach of the initiative is populist.

Lucerne Central National Councilor Ida Glanzmann-Hunkeler (64) warned of injustice between generations. Young families should not be deprived of money they need themselves.

The Green Liberals complained about rigid fronts between the left and the right. Roland Fischer (57), Lucerne’s GLP council member, criticized the initiative for not being targeted enough. However, the existing gaps should not be compensated forever by additional services, he stressed. In this context, Fischer regretted that the preparatory advisory committee had not wanted a counter-proposal. (SDA)