Pensions after arrival: AHV, occupational pension and old entitlements

Pensions are not a "later" problem. They are on your payslip now.

It is tempting to put pensions in the drawer marked "future me". In Switzerland, the system starts appearing in payroll immediately, including retirement saving and risk benefits. Understanding the deductions is part of understanding today's compensation — not just a retirement exercise for your older self.

AHV: start with the contribution history

People living or working in Switzerland are generally covered by AHV/OASI, subject to international coordination rules. For employees, contributions run through payroll. Contribution gaps can matter later, which makes "is it being paid?" a perfectly reasonable first-year question.

Occupational pension: the payslip line is not the whole benefit

Mandatory occupational pension applies to qualifying salaried employees who are subject to AHV and meet the statutory conditions. In 2026, the statutory annual salary entry threshold is CHF 22,680. The employer must fund at least half of the contribution, and many plans go beyond the statutory minimum.

Do not stop at the deduction. Ask: Which pension fund? What salary is insured? What are the employer and employee contributions? What disability and death benefits apply? When will I receive the pension certificate? One number on a payslip is not a pension strategy.

Previous Swiss pension money: check the transfer actually happened

Assets from a previous Swiss employer can sit in a vested-benefits arrangement while you are between pension funds. When you join a new employer's pension fund, existing vested benefits generally need to be transferred. New payroll deductions are not proof that the old money found its way home.

Foreign pensions: you crossed the border; the rules did not merge

Foreign pension rights do not automatically pour into a Swiss occupational pension. International social-security agreements can coordinate state systems, while occupational and private pensions can follow very different rules. The answer is country- and plan-specific.

Keep the scheme documents, contribution history and contact details. Switzerland coordinates social security through the EU/EFTA framework and agreements with a number of other states. Use the applicable agreement rather than a generic assumption.

Your pension control panel for year one

AHV number — and confirmation that payroll contributions are running.
Occupational pension fund — plus the plan rules or pension certificate.
Insured salary — and the employee/employer contribution split.
Previous Swiss vested benefits — location and transfer status.
Foreign state, occupational and private pension rights — listed separately, not mentally bundled together.
Any cross-border question that needs an official institution or specialist — clearly labelled "needs answer", not quietly guessed.

Official sources

Continue with

Bring pension, payroll, tax and insurance together in the one-page 90-day control panel — get the guide.

Or return to the Moving to Switzerland hub for the connected picture.