Key Points at a Glance
- No benefit is automatic: you must initiate the procedures yourself, within specific deadlines
- OASI/AVS pension 1,260 to 2,520 CHF/month, apply 6 months before departure
- Early retirement under OASI/AVS: Ages 63 and older, discount of up to 13.6 %
- 2nd pillar: withdrawal starting at age 58, irrevocable pension/lump-sum choice
- Departure to an EU/EFTA country: only the super-mandatory part can be withdrawn in cash
- 3rd pillar: tax optimization through staggering multiple Pillar 3a accounts
- Cross-border workers: cumulative taxation of up to CHF 30,000 to 35,000 on CHF 200,000
The 3 Pillars of the Swiss Retirement System
The Swiss retirement system is built on three complementary pillars. The 1st pillar (AVS) is the state old-age pension, mandatory for all workers who have lived or worked in Switzerland. The 2nd pillar (LPP / pension fund) is the occupational pension, mandatory for employees whose annual income exceeds CHF 22,680 (2026 threshold). Finally, the 3rd pillar covers individual private savings, made up of Pillar 3a (tied, with attractive tax benefits) and Pillar 3b (unrestricted).
- None of these payments are automatic. You must complete the procedures yourself, respecting specific deadlines.
Claiming Your AVS Pension (1st Pillar)
Who is eligible?
Anyone who has contributed to AVS/OASI in Switzerland can claim an AVS/OASI old-age pension, provided they have at least one full year of contributions. The reference age is set at 65 for both men and women (following the AVS 21 reform). In 2026, the monthly pension ranges from CHF 1,260 to CHF 2,520, depending on average contributed income (based on scale 44).
Early retirement is possible up to 2 years before this age (starting at 63), but it results in a definitive, permanent reduction of the pension: 3.4% for 6 months of early retirement, 6.8% for 1 year, 10.2% for 1.5 years, and up to 13.6% for 2 years. Conversely, deferring your pension up to age 70 increases its amount.
How do I apply?
The request is not automatic and must be submitted 3 to 6 months before your retirement date.
If you live in Switzerland, please contact the compensation office to which you paid your last contributions. If you live abroad, it is the Swiss Compensation Office in Geneva that centralizes and processes requests.
Permanent departure from Switzerland: refund of OASI contributions
In certain cases, it's possible to have your AVS/OASI contributions refunded rather than receiving a future pension. This option applies to people who are not Swiss nationals and who permanently relocate to a country outside the EU/EFTA, or to a country without a social security agreement with Switzerland, and who are not entitled to an exportable pension.
Both employee and employer contributions are refunded (roughly 8.4% to 8.7% of gross salary), without interest. Contributions to AI/DI (disability insurance), APG/EO (income compensation), and AC/UI (unemployment insurance) are not included. The refund is final and irrevocable: it permanently ends any future right to AVS/OASI and AI/DI benefits for the periods covered.
The request must be sent to the Swiss Compensation Office (Caisse suisse de compensation) in Geneva, ideally at the time of departure, along with a certificate of permanent departure. The right expires 5 years after departure.
Calculate my OASI retirement benefits
- You can perform a Swiss pension calculation via our online tool.
- Estimate the amount of your OASI pension online
Withdrawal of 2nd Pillar (occupational pension)
When can it be perceived?
Most pension funds allow a withdrawal from age 58 as part of an early retirement, with a reduced conversion rate. Ordinary retirement occurs at age 65.
Annuity or lump sum: an irrevocable choice
In retirement, you can receive your 2nd pillar as annuity or lump sum, and this choice is definitive.
The life annuity guarantees a lifetime income, regardless of your life expectancy or market fluctuations. With a principal amount of 400,000.00 CHF and the statutory conversion rate of 6.8 % (mandatory portion), you would receive approximately 27,200.00 CHF per year.
Capital withdrawal offers more freedom: paying off a mortgage, investing, plan an estate. In return, you alone bear the sustainability of your savings over 25 to 30 years.
By law, you can withdraw at least 1/4 of the credit balance required as equity capital. Some funds allow a total withdrawal. Please check your regulations to find out.
Departure for a country outside the EU/EFTA
In the event of a permanent departure to a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area, it's possible to withdraw the entire LPP balance (both the mandatory and extra-mandatory portions) as a lump sum.
Departure for an EU or EFTA country
For departures to an EU or EFTA member country, the rules are more restrictive: only the extra-mandatory portion can be withdrawn in cash. The mandatory portion must remain in a vested benefits account in Switzerland until retirement age.
How do I apply?
Contact your pension fund at least 6 months to 1 year in advance. After this period, the right to a lump-sum payment may be lost. The written consent of the spouse is mandatory.
And the vested benefits?
If you left an employer without retiring immediately, your capital was likely transferred to a account or a vested benefits policy. These assets can be withdrawn from the age of 58.
If you are not yet 58 years old and are no longer working in Switzerland, your LPP assets must generally be transferred to a vested benefits account or deposit. In any case, it is essential to compare vested benefits accounts to make the right choice.
Withdrawing Funds from Your Third Pillar
Pillar 3a (tied pension plan)
Pillar 3a assets can be withdrawn upon permanent departure from Switzerland. The withdrawal is made as a single lump sum, taxed at a preferential rate.
To minimize your tax burden, it is advisable to spread out withdrawals over several years by opening several separate 3a accounts (this choice can only be made when opening the account). The canton where the pension foundation is located will determine the tax calculation.
Pillar 3b (free pension plan)
Pillar 3b is not subject to strict age requirements. However, an early withdrawal may result in penalties, depending on the terms of the contract. When the contract meets the legal requirements for retirement savings, the lump sum paid out at maturity is exempt from income tax.
Special Case: French Cross-Border Workers
For the AVS/OASI pension
Under the bilateral agreements between France and Switzerland, cross-border workers living in France must submit their claim to their local CARSAT office (Caisse d'Assurance Retraite et de la Santé Au Travail). CARSAT will issue a European Form E202, which is automatically forwarded to the Swiss Compensation Office. Periods worked on both sides of the border are taken into account, and each country pays the portion of the pension it's responsible for.
For the 2nd pillar: a cumulative tax burden to anticipate
- TheWithholding tax in Switzerland, which varies by canton
- French Taxation: either a flat-rate deduction of 7.5 % after a 10 % allowance (irrevocable option), or inclusion in the progressive tax scale using the quotient method
- Social Security Contributions: approximately 9 % for most taxpayers
- A potential CNTFS/CMU contribution: If you are enrolled in the CMU, the amount withdrawn is included in the basis for calculating contributions, with the impact deferred by two years
On a capital sum of CHF 200,000, the total tax and social security burden can therefore reach CHF 30,000 to 35,000, depending on the situation. This combined cost is often underestimated: advance planning is essential.
Plan Your Retirement With Invexa
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Swiss pension paid automatically?
No. Whether for the OASI, the second pillar, or the third pillar, you must submit an active request within the set deadlines. Without action on your part, no payment will be made.
Can I receive both a Swiss pension and a French pension?
Yes. Under the bilateral agreements, the rights acquired in each country are calculated and paid separately. You will receive a pension from each scheme in proportion to the years contributed.
At what age can I withdraw my 2nd pillar at the earliest?
From age 58, if your pension fund regulations allow for it. However, each year of early retirement reduces the conversion rate and therefore the amount of your pension.
What happens if I cannot find an old pension account?
When should I start planning?
The earlier, the better. From age 40 onward, a comprehensive pension review is recommended to identify any gaps and plan potential buy-ins with your pension fund. From age 50, it's time to run precise projections and look into tax strategies for withdrawal.