At present, approximately 2.5 million seniors receive an AHV pension. That makes a difference: in 2021, AHV expenditures amounted to no less than 47 billion francs. And costs keep rising. As the baby boom generation retires, spending will rise to CHF 59 billion by 2030.
This puts increasing pressure on the overall federal budget. Because the federal government assumes a fixed cost share of 20.2 percent of AHV expenditure. The federal contribution will increase annually from the current CHF 9.5 billion to CHF 12 billion.
Separate the AHV fund from the federal fund
“This increase reduces the room for maneuver in the ordinary budget,” says Mitte party leader Philipp Matthias Bregy (44). After all, the AHV contribution accounts for one-eighth of the federal budget of 80 billion. It belongs to the so-called bound expenditures. Funds to which the federal government has committed – in addition to social security, these also include contributions to the railway and road funds, basic contributions to universities or contributions to the cantons. About two-thirds of the federal budget are now permanent posts.
Bregy wants to create more room for maneuver – especially given the looming deficits of billions. “To meet this challenge, a holistic view of the federal budget is necessary,” says the National Council of Valais. He is considering separating the federal budget from the AHV budget. “That would be a huge relief to the federal government.”
The Federal Council must make proposals
Money that the AHV fund would not have. Bregy is also aware of this. “It is clear that unbundling should not be accompanied by a reduction in pensions.” He therefore wants to instruct the Bundesrat not only to investigate the split, but also to identify alternative financing options at the same time. In a postulate submitted Friday, he calls for a report on the matter.
Bregy himself mentions a financial market transaction tax in favor of the AHV as an option. An idea launched last year by Councilor Beat Rieder (59, USA). “Depending on how it’s designed, this could be worth several billion francs,” says Bregy.
However, the group chairman would like to see further proposals from the Bundesrat that go beyond the classic financing instruments such as a VAT increase or an increase in the retirement age. For Bregy it is clear: “The Federal Council must open its eyes to alternative financing options.”