Gender pension gap: Swiss women receive a third less than men
Women in Switzerland receive lower pensions than men, with a gender gap that amounts to around CHF20,000 ($22,000) a year, says a studyExternal link by insurance company Swiss Life published on Thursday.
According to the study, retired Swiss women receive around a third less than their male counterparts. The latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office show that the average pension for Swiss women is around CHF36,000 per year, compared to CHF55,000 for men.
The study also showed that the gender pension gap for people aged 65-75 has stayed almost the same since 2012, meaning virtually no progress has been made on this issue.
Lower wages and part-time work
This significant difference in pensions could be explained by a lower proportion of women who contribute to the occupational pension system (also known as the second pillar), mainly because their career paths are often interrupted. Often their salaries are also lower than men’s.
The gender pension gap in Switzerland mainly affects women living alone, who earn 10%-20% less than men. The difference in pensions is greatest for widows, followed by divorced women, says the study.
This could be explained by the career paths experienced by women and the “household chores and part-time work” they had to do, explains study author Andreas Christen.
Although the study suggests that the gap “should narrow in the future”, this will happen “slowly”, as the income gap between men and women in Switzerland is not diminishing. In 2020, women reaching retirement age were working on average 30% less than men and earning on average half as much.
With a gender pension gap of around 33%, Switzerland is not particularly well placed compared to other European countries. “On average, in the EU, this pension gap is 25%,” explains Christen.
Popular Stories
More
Culture
Documentary portrays Swiss teenagers forced to return to parents’ homeland
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Swiss university graduates are popular hires worldwide
This content was published on
Graduates of Swiss universities are popular with international employers, according to the Global Employability University Rankings.
French cross-border workers in Switzerland fear ‘discriminatory’ unemployment reform
This content was published on
In the French region around Geneva, cross-border workers are protesting proposals to cut unemployment benefits for those working in Switzerland.
Swan infected with bird flu in central Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland has reported its first bird flu case of the season. A swan found dead in central Switzerland tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
Swiss researchers identify gene variants linked to cancer progression
This content was published on
ETH Zurich researchers explored genetic mutations’ effects on cell function and their role in cancer development and treatment using CRISPR/Cas techniques.
Explosion at Swiss company Givaudan’s US plant leaves two dead
This content was published on
Swiss flavour and fragrance maker Givaudan reported that an explosion at its Kentucky plant resulted in two deaths and several injuries.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Are Swiss women privileged in Europe?
This content was published on
The increase in the retirement age for women from 64 to 65 is one of the most controversial parts of Switzerland's pension reform package.
Swiss women take to streets to fight inequality and sexism
This content was published on
Hundreds of thousands of women are expected to take part in a national strike in major towns and cities across Switzerland on Wednesday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.