“Then the pension surcharge will whistle”

Parliament is in the final sprint with the reform of the pension fund. The Council of States will consider the latest differences of opinion on Thursday. On one important point, however, the two guesses already agree. With the compensation measures for the pension gap that arises due to the reduction of the conversion rate from 6.8 to 6 percent.

For a transitional generation of 15 years, there should be a stepped pension supplement. There is a maximum of CHF 200 per month for the first five years, after which it is reduced. In addition, only those who have less than 220,500 francs in the pension fund receive the full supplement. Up to CHF 441,000 in pension assets, there should only be a partial top-up. And those who have saved more will get nothing.

10-year clause as another hurdle

Only the income limit is not the only stumbling block for the pension supplement. An insured person must also have been affiliated with a pension fund for at least 15 years and this without interruption during the last 10 years before retirement.

SP co-boss Mattea Meyer (35) wanted to remove this 10-year clause from the template. This could mean that elderly people with a low income will have to deposit into a new pension fund when the entry threshold is lowered and will still not receive a pension supplement.

While the National Council has spoken in favor of maintaining the current entry threshold of approximately CHF 22,000, the responsible committee of the Council of States continues to advocate a reduction to approximately CHF 17,200. From that moment on, the pension fund obligation applies.

SP alderman Barbara Gysi (58, SG) added in the debate that people who would cut down before retirement, for example to care for a mother or father with dementia, could also be affected. “That’s why we don’t want this hard clause.”

Older unemployed lose their pension supplement

The trade union federation is now also sounding the alarm. He sees the 10-year clause as a deterioration for the over-55s. “Those who lose their job over the age of 55 fall between two stools,” warns State Secretary Gabriela Medici (37).

Because if you lose your job, you will also fall out of the pension fund and you will therefore lose the right to compensation for the conversion rate. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve been paying into a pension fund for years or even decades.”

Additional charges still apply

Those who do not receive the pension supplement are also affected by the other adjustments to the BVG reform. The trade union federation has calculated what the draft approved by the National Council would mean for those affected.

A 50-year-old with an annual income of, say, CHF 25,000 would have to pay more than CHF 2,200 more to the pension fund each year. Or a 55-year-old with an income of CHF 55,000 would still have to pay almost CHF 900 more per year. “If you lose your job later in life, the pension supplement will go up in smoke despite those extra costs.”

The city council voted unanimously in favor of the clause

The bourgeoisie almost unanimously rejected Meyer’s request for his removal. Only one Liberal voted left.

GLP National Councilor Melanie Mettler (45, BE) also rejected Meyer’s application. “I understand the concern,” she says. However, the problem is mitigated with a “balanced solution between salary contributions and pension benefits”.

Mettler emphasizes that the clause is just a cog in the great clockwork of this first reform step. “If problems arise during implementation, I will be happy to help you find a solution.”

Source:Blick