The Swiss government plans to incrementally increase the retirement age of women to 65 while offering incentives for all people to work longer. The CHF2.8 billion ($2.84 billion) savings measures would be accompanied by a sales tax hike and extra pension payments for hardship cases.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Español
es
Reforma de retiro: un año más de trabajo para la mujer
On Wednesday, Interior Minister Alain Berset presented the latest proposalsExternal link to rescue the ailing state pension system. Two previous plans have been rejected by Swiss voters in recent years.
A central plank of the reform is to ask women to work an extra year – retiring at 65 rather than 64. The increase would come in stages of three months per year, providing the plan passes both parliamentary and voter scrutiny.
To make the change more palatable, the government proposes raising value added tax by up to 0.7% and paying CHF700 million into a hardship fund for nine years.
The reference retirement age, to be harmonized for both men and women at 65, comes with some flexibility. Both men and women would be offered financial incentives to continue working until they are 70. Workers could also choose to draw on their state pension early by retiring as young as 62.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Swiss helicopter rescue pioneers safe autopilot approach system
This content was published on
Swiss air rescue company Rega has received approval for a new kind of instrument flight system for approaching a hospital.
Algerian to face trial in Switzerland for ties to Islamic State
This content was published on
A 51-year-old Algerian man has been charged by the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office for involvement in the banned terrorist group.
Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
This content was published on
Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
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
Employers and employees reach pension compromise
This content was published on
Talks between bosses and workers on reforming occupational pensions (OP) have resulted in a compromise, with both sides appearing satisfied.
Switzerland votes ‘yes’ to overhaul corporate tax rules
This content was published on
Switzerland voted yes on Sunday to a reform of the corporate tax system that will scrap preferential treatment for multinational firms.
Swiss workers’ union says raising retirement age is inevitable
This content was published on
The head of Employees Switzerland says raising the retirement age in Switzerland is unavoidable as the state pension is in a critical state.
Berset pushes for tax-hike to solve pension problems
This content was published on
Swiss President Alain Berset has defended his proposed pension reform plans, which include a 1.7% increase in valued-added tax (VAT) to fund it.
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.