Switzerland state pension 2026: how it is calculated
The public pension in Switzerland follows national rules that usually look at your years of work or contributions, your pay and the age at which you claim it. The calculator above applies the 2026 rules to your own working life. Below you will find the rules in brief, an example by claim age and what your contributions buy.
The rules in brief
- AHV old-age pension (1st pillar): A full AHV pension needs 44 contribution years and ranges from CHF 1,260 to CHF 2,520 a month depending on average yearly income (in 2025 and 2026); each missing year cuts it by about 1/44. From December 2026 a 13th monthly pension is paid every year. The reference age is 65 (women born 1961–1963 between 64¼ and 64¾); the pension can start from 63 or be deferred up to age 70.
- Occupational pension (2nd pillar): The BVG savings (age credits plus at least 1.25% interest in 2026) are turned into a life pension with a minimum conversion rate of 6.8% at the reference age, or paid out as a lump sum. Together, AHV and BVG aim to replace about 60% of earlier pay up to CHF 90,720.
Example: pension by claim age
| Age | Status | Gross / month (CHF) | Net / month (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | −13.6% | 4,197 | 3,849 |
| 64 | −6.8% | 4,583 | 4,167 |
| 65 | Full pension | 4,923 | 4,447 |
| 66 | +5.2% | 5,065 | 4,564 |
| 67 | +10.8% | 5,217 | 4,688 |
| 68 | +17.1% | 5,389 | 4,827 |
| 69 | +24.0% | 5,578 | 4,977 |
For someone aged 35 today who has worked 15 years so far, with an average of CHF 7,000 gross a month until now, earning CHF 8,000 from now with pay rising 1% a year above inflation, who works 30 more years. Amounts in today’s money, 12 payments a year. Enter your own career in the calculator for your figure.
How the example is made up
AHV old-age pension CHF 2,520 a month (44 of 44 contribution years, average yearly income CHF 102,208; full pension from CHF 1,260 to CHF 2,520), plus the 13th AHV pension paid each December from 2026, spread over the year here. Occupational pension (BVG minimum) CHF 2,193 a month: your retirement savings of about CHF 386,929 × 6.8% conversion rate. Reference age 65 (women born 1961–1963 between 64 and 65); the AHV pension can start from 63 (6.8% less per year early) or be deferred up to 5 years (up to 31.5% more). Tax estimated for Zurich (city).
What your contributions buy
Over the whole career you would pay CHF 402,064 in pension contributions (CHF 804,127 including your employer’s share). With a net pension of CHF 53,363 a year and about 20.4 years in retirement at average life expectancy, you would receive about CHF 1,088,612 in all, 2.71× your own contributions. The pension replaces 55.0% of your final net salary.
Frequently asked questions
How much pension will I get in Switzerland?
In the example, CHF 4,446.95 net a month (CHF 4,922.60 gross) when claiming at 65 after 45 years of work. Your own amount depends on your years of contributions and your pay: enter them in the calculator above.
Can I retire early in Switzerland?
In the example, yes: from 63, with a lower pension (−13.6%). The net pension is CHF 3,849 a month at 63 instead of CHF 4,447 at 65. The conditions for early retirement are listed in the rules above.
What if I work longer?
The pension goes up: at 67 it would be CHF 4,688 net a month in the example, against CHF 4,447 at 65.
Is this my official pension?
No, it is an estimate under the 2026 rules. Your official pension statement from the pension authority in Switzerland is the final word.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” above. Last checked: October 2026. The amounts are estimates for information, not financial or legal advice.