Retiring Abroad from Switzerland

When they reach retirement age, some Swiss citizens decide to live abroad. On the other hand, migrants who come to work in Switzerland often prefer to return to their country of origin after having ceased their occupational activity.

AHV pension

You are a Swiss national or from an EU or EFTA member state. You have the right, subject to exceptions, to receive your AHV pension abroad. Before leaving Switzerland, you must announce your departure to your compensation office (see link below) which will then forward your application to the Swiss Compensation Fund in Geneva. Recipients of AHV benefits freely choose their payment address (in Switzerland or abroad). AHV benefits are generally paid to recipients residing abroad in the national currency of their country of residence.

If you receive an invalidity allowance or supplementary benefits, you lose the right to these benefits by moving abroad. These benefits are only granted to persons domiciled and resident in Switzerland.

Since the entry into force of the bilateral agreements, Swiss pre-retirees domiciled in the EU are no longer able to make voluntary contributions to the AHV and therefore only receive a partial AHV pension. A gap in contributions of a year generally leads to a 2.3% decrease of the pension.

The preceding is a service of the Confederation, cantons and communes. For more information visit their website.