AHV, IV and supplementary benefits

The AHV is the most important social insurance in Switzerland. AHV stands for old-age and survivors' insurance. It pays a pension in old age. It also pays the survivors: these are widows, widowers and orphans when someone dies. The AHV is compulsory for everyone who lives or works in Switzerland.

Closely linked to the AHV is the IV, the invalidity insurance. It helps people who can no longer work, or can only work part of the time, because of illness or an accident. First, the IV tries to bring the person back into working life. Only if that is not possible does it pay a pension. Contributions to the AHV and IV are deducted directly from wages.

The standard retirement age is now called the reference age. It is 65. For women, it has been rising step by step from 64 to 65 since the AHV 21 reform. From 2028, 65 applies to everyone. In addition, from December 2026 there is a 13th AHV pension payment each year.

Sometimes the AHV or IV pension is not enough for the bare necessities. Then there are supplementary benefits (EL). They help if, despite a pension, you do not reach the subsistence minimum. Supplementary benefits are not a gift but a right. However, you must apply for them. They are not paid for by wage contributions but with tax money from the Confederation and the cantons.

Memory aid: AHV: old age and survivors. IV: invalidity. EL: a supplement when it is not enough.