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From one day to the next
Suddenly you find yourself all alone. When you lose your spouse, lots of things change.
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Following the death of your husband or wife, you may avail of offers for grief counselling as well as financial support. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may qualify for a widow's pension, or what is known as a "survivor's pension" in this sector, from the AHV/IV agency as well as from the occupational pension scheme (company pension).
AHV/IV
The criteria are different for men and women. They are to be made identical in the 11th AHV Revision.
Widows
You will receive support if:
- You have one or more children at the time of your husband's death.
- You have reached the age of 45 and have been married for at least five years.
- You have children and were married for at least 10 years prior to the divorce.
- Your youngest common child reaches the age of 18 , after you have turned 45.
Widowers
Widowers are eligible for a pension until your common children turn 18.
Level of the widow's pension
These pensions are calculated in the same way as old-age pensions. They are means-tested and depend on how long contributions have been paid. It is based on the deceased's insured income. If the spouse dies before the age of 45, a career surcharge is added to the basic figure for the insured income.
BVG - Occupational pension scheme
The occupational pension scheme provides its benefits on the basis of similar criteria to the AHV/IV. The big difference is that widows and widowers enjoy equal rights. Where people fail to meet the criteria for receiving a survivor's pension, there is also a one-off lump-sum settlement. In addition, unmarried partners can also take each other into consideration.
The level of pension is 60% of the AHV pension received or full disability pension. The one-off lump-sum settlement is equivalent to three years of pension payments.
Further Information
Federal Office for Social Security
AHV/IV
