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Scale 44

This table shows the amounts of the full monthly old-age and survivors' insurance (OASI) and disability insurance (DI) pensions according to scale 44, valid from January 1, 2025, until further notice. The amounts are calculated based on the relevant average annual income and include old-age and disability pensions, widow's and widower's pensions, complementary pensions, as well as children's and orphans' pensions. Click on the column headers to sort the data in ascending or descending order.
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Scale of Swiss OASI/DI pensions for 2026 according to the relevant average annual income
Annual income (CHF)Old age / disability pensionWidows / WidowersSupplementary pensionChild's pensionOrphan's pensionOrphan's Pension 60 %
up to 15,1201'2601'5121'008378504756
16'6321'2931'5511'034388517776
18'1441'3261'5911'060398530795
19'6561'3581'6301'087407543815
21'1681'3911'6691'113417556835
22'6801'4241'7091'139427570854
24'1921'4571'7481'165437583874
25'7041'4891'7871'191447596894
27'2161'5221'8261'218457609913
28'7281'5551'8661'244466622933
30'2401'5881'9051'270476635953
31'7521'6201'9441'296486648972
33'2641'6531'9841'322496661992
34'7761'6862'0231'3495066741'011
36'2881'7192'0621'3755166871'031
37'8001'7512'1021'4015257011'051
39'3121'7842'1411'4275357141'070
40'8241'8172'1801'4545457271'090
42'3361'8502'2201'4805557401'110
43'8481'8822'2591'5065657531'129
45'3601'9152'2981'5325757661'149
46'8721'9352'3221'5485817741'161
48'3841'9562'3471'5645877821'173
49'8961'9762'3711'5805937901'185
51'4081'9962'3951'5975997981'197
52'9202'0162'4191'6136058061'210
54'4322'0362'4431'6296118141'222
55'9442'0562'4681'6456178231'234
57'4562'0762'4921'6616238311'246
58'9682'0972'5161'6776298391'258
60'4802'1172'5201'6936358471'270
61'9922'1372'5201'7106418551'282
63'5042'1572'5201'7266478631'294
65'0162'1772'5201'7426538711'306
66'5282'1972'5201'7586598791'318
68'0402'2182'5201'7746658871'331
69'5522'2382'5201'7906718951'343
71'0642'2582'5201'8066779031'355
72'5762'2782'5201'8226839111'367
74'0882'2982'5201'8396899191'379
75'6002'3182'5201'8556969271'391
77'1122'3392'5201'8717029351'403
78'6242'3592'5201'8877089431'415
80'1362'3792'5201'9037149521'427
81'6482'3992'5201'9197209601'439
83'1602'4192'5201'9357269681'452
84'6722'4392'5201'9517329761'464
86'1842'4602'5201'9687389841'476
87'6962'4802'5201'9847449921'488
89'2082'5002'5202'0007501'0001'500
90'720+2'5202'5202'0167561'0081'512
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Scale 44 indicates your 1st-pillar OASI pension, but a comfortable retirement in Switzerland requires a view of all 3 pillars combined. Our advisors draw up a complete and personalized income plan for you.
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What is Scale 44?

Ladder 44 is the official scale used by’Old-age and survivors' insurance to determine the amounts of AVS and AI pensions in Switzerland. This scale establishes a precise correspondence between the average annual income used for calculation purposes of an insured person and the monthly amount of their pension. Effective January 1, 2025, this Scale 44 applies to all old-age and disability pensions, as well as to pensions for widows, widowers, orphans, and children.

The 44-scale system ensures equitable redistribution: people who have made contributions based on higher incomes receive proportionally larger pensions, in the ceiling limit as prescribed by law.

What is the maximum amount of the AVS pension in 2026?

In 2026, according to scale 44, the maximum AVS pension in 2026 amounts to CHF 2,520 per month, or CHF 30,240 per year. This amount is paid to individuals who have made contributions without interruption throughout their working lives and whose average annual qualifying income is at least CHF 90,720.

The minimum pension, on the other hand, is set at CHF 1,260 per month for people who have made contributions for the full period but have an average income of less than CHF 15,120.

What is the maximum pension for a married couple in 2026?

For married couples, tax bracket 44 sets a cap: the total amount of the two pensions may not exceed 150 % of the maximum individual pension. In 2026, this amounts to CHF 3,780 per month (or CHF 45,360 per year) for the couple.

This cap applies even if each spouse would individually be entitled to the maximum pension of CHF 2,520. If the total of the two pensions exceeds CHF 3,780, it is automatically reduced to comply with this limit.

How is the average annual income used to determine eligibility for the AVS calculated?

The average annual income used for calculation purposes is the central element of the calculation of an Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHV) pension according to the 44 scale. Here is how it is established:

This average income is then used to determine the amount of the pension according to scale 44. The higher the average income, the higher the monthly pension will be, up to a maximum of CHF 2,520.

What is the amount for a comfortable retirement in Switzerland?

Although scale 44 defines the OASI amounts, a comfortable retirement in Switzerland requires income higher than the maximum OASI pension. We estimate that a retirement income of approximately 70 to 80 % of the last salary is necessary to maintain one's standard of living.

For a single person, this could represent between CHF 4,000 and CHF 6,000 per month, combining AHV (1st pillar), the pension fund (2nd pillar) and the’private savings (third pillar). For a couple, a combined monthly income of CHF 6,000 to CHF 8,000 is often considered comfortable.

However, it should be noted that the higher the income, the greater the shortfall will be, since mandatory benefits under the AVS and the LPP are capped. Consequently, a efficient retirement planning is required to supplement one's income.

The AVS accounts for only a portion of your retirement income.

Get a complete picture of your retirement situation with our retirement simulator: ✓ AVS estimate ✓ LPP estimate ✓ 3rd pillar projection ✓ Calculation of your pension gap ✓ Estimate based on your canton
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Is it possible to receive the AVS pension before age 65?

Yes, it is possible to’bring forward the payment of the AVS pension, but this results in a permanent reduction based on Scale 44. Insured individuals may apply for their pension up to two years before the normal retirement age, starting at age 63.

The discount is 6.8 % per year of early retirement. For example, a person who takes early retirement two years ahead of schedule will have their pension reduced by 13.6 % for life. This reduction applies to the amounts specified in Schedule 44.

Conversely, it is also possible to defer the start of pension payments for up to five years after reaching the standard retirement age, which results in a higher pension amount.

What is the difference between a full pension and a maximum pension?

The distinction between a full pension and a maximum pension is essential to understanding Scale 44.

A full pension refers to an annuity calculated on the basis of a full contribution period, that is, with no gap between the age of 20 and the normal retirement age (64 for women, 65 for men in 2026). A person receiving a full pension has made contributions for 44 or 45 consecutive years. However, the amount of a full pension can vary considerably depending on the average annual income used to determine the benefit: it can be as low as CHF 1,260 per month (minimum full pension) or as high as CHF 2,520 per month (maximum full pension).

A maximum pension, for its part, corresponds to the highest amount that a person can receive under scale 44, which is CHF 2,520 per month in 2026. To receive this maximum pension, two conditions The following requirements must be met: having a full contribution period AND having made contributions based on an average annual income of at least CHF 90,720.

In summary: All maximum pensions are full pensions, but not all full pensions are maximum pensions. A person may have contributed for 44 years without interruption (full pension) but receive only CHF 1,500 per month if their income was modest, whereas another person who contributed for the same number of years on a higher income will receive the maximum pension of CHF 2,520 per month.

How much will my pension be if I retire early?

The compensation fund allows for early retirement between 1 month and 2 years at the maximum. This corresponds to an earliest departure of 62 years old for women born between 1961 and 1969, and 63 years old for the rest of the policyholders.

You can calculate your own AVS/OASI old-age pension based on your average annual determining income and scale 44, reduced by the percentage corresponding to your early retirement:

  • For a departure 1 year before the legal age, the pension is reduced by approximately 6.8 %.
  • For a departure 2 years before, the reduction can reach nearly 13.6 %.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute personalized financial advice. Investment and retirement planning decisions should be evaluated based on your personal situation. An individualized assessment is essential.

Written by:

Claire Fivaz

Claire Fivaz is an IAF-certified advisor in insurance, retirement planning, and wealth management, registered with FINMA (No. F01518014) and a member of the Romandy Association of Financial Intermediaries (ARIF, No. 19065). With several years of experience in individual and occupational pension planning in Switzerland, she supports her clients with retirement planning and financial wealth management. She also holds a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management from HEG Geneva.
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