FUTURA A to Z

What do I do if I want to sell my property but a restriction on sale has been entered in the land register because of the advance withdrawal?

The restriction on sale can be deleted if the advance withdrawal has been repaid in full to the pension fund.

It is also possible to transfer the restriction on sale in the land register to the new property.

Please contact our customer service.

What is the independent lump-sum death benefit?

If your pension plan specifies an additional lump-sum death benefit (often a fixed percentage in relation to your salary), you are entitled to this in accordance with your pension certificate.

With the FUTURA Vorsorge , we guarantee buy-ins with reimbursement, depending on the pension plan. This means that the voluntary payments you have made into your pension fund will be paid out to your surviving dependants as a one-off payment in addition to any pension in the event of your death. The purchases you have made will therefore be reimbursed in any case. You can find out whether this benefit is insured in your pension plan. The beneficiary regulations can be found in the pension fund regulations or here: see "Beneficiary regulations". Further information and the relevant form can be found here:

TO THE PENSION FUND REGULATIONSTO THE FORM "Beneficiary lump-sum death benefit"

If you are looking for occupational pension assets, you can submit a written request to the 2nd Pillar Central Office.

The 2nd Pillar Central Office is the link between the BVG pension funds and the insured persons. All 2nd pillar institutions and institutions that manage vested benefits accounts and policies are obliged to report assets to the Central Office.

The request should be sent to the following address:

Central office 2nd pillar
BVG Guarantee Fund
Eigerplatz 2
P.O. Box 1023
3000 Berne 14

+41 31 380 79 75

In the event of a request and agreement, the beneficiary and the institution will be informed. The decision to make a payment is made by the institution.

What does Swiss Life have to do with FUTURA?

FUTURA is a semi-autonomous joint foundation. It bears the investment risk, but has insured the risks of disability and death with Swiss Life. The partner is only involved in your occupational benefits insurance to the extent that she would take care of the pension payments in the event of a claim. She has no role whatsoever in connection with old-age provision (retirement). The retirement pensions are paid out by FUTURA Vorsorge .

What is the retirement age in Switzerland?

The reference age in the pension fund, also known as the retirement age, is the age from which an insured person can claim their retirement benefits without reductions. In Switzerland, the reference age for men and women is the same at 65.

Women born between 1961 and 1969 have a transitional arrangement under which the reference age is gradually raised from 64 to 65.

When does withholding tax apply?

Withholding tax applies if you live abroad when withdrawing capital from second pillar pension assets (no residence or domicile in Switzerland). In this case, Switzerland has no direct access to you and therefore levies the capital withdrawal tax at source, i.e. at your pension fund.

The federal tax on the withdrawal of pension benefits at source is progressive. Different models are applied in the cantons. The pension fund must deduct the withholding tax from the pension assets and pay it to the state. You receive the net amount.

The withholding tax can be reclaimed if there is a double taxation agreement with the country in which you now live.

Who is responsible for the accuracy of my personal data? Does the pension fund check what the employer reports?

The employing company is responsible for the accuracy of the personnel data. The pension fund can only carry out plausibility checks if the data changes. The responsibility for reporting changes lies with the personnel department of your employer.

How can I save up as much pension fund pension as possible?

See also "Purchasing".

As an employee, you generally have the option of making voluntary purchases into your pension fund in order to improve your pension.

On your personal pension certificate you will find the information "Possible purchase". You can pay this amount into your pension fund in full or in tranches with personal assets. The money is credited to your savings balance and earns interest annually. The additional advantage of a purchase into the pension fund is that you can deduct this so-called purchase contribution from your taxable income and thus save tax.

Purchases into the pension fund can now be made directly via myFUTURA. You can find more information on purchasing here:

TO THE "Purchasing" MEMO SHEET

Do I have to pay pension fund contributions during maternity leave?

During maternity leave, a salary replacement payment is made and the pension fund contributions continue to be settled monthly as usual. Premiums are only waived if you are unable to work for >3 months.

What does flexible retirement age (FAR) mean?

Some employees in the construction industry can make use of flexible retirement, i.e. early retirement, and draw a bridging pension from the FAR Foundation.

During the bridging pension period, FUTURA offers to continue the retirement capital free of charge until the normal retirement age. However, the risk insurance is canceled. Likewise, no more savings contributions will be made. However, interest will continue to be paid on the retirement capital.

The transfer must be notified using the "FAR transfer notification" form:

TO THE FORM

What does reimbursement mean in connection with voluntary purchases?

If reimbursement is provided for in the pension plan, voluntary purchases are reimbursed to the entitled surviving dependants in the event of the death of the insured person. The beneficiary regulations can be found in the regulations under Art. 6.6 or here:

TO THE BENEFICIARY REGULATIONS

See under "Pension certificate".

When can I draw my pension fund benefits?

Retirement benefits can be drawn from the age of 58 at the earliest.

What is occupational pension provision?

The Swiss pension system is based on three pillars: state pension provision (1st pillar), occupational pension provision (2nd pillar) and private pension provision (3rd pillar). The BVG forms the 2nd pillar and, together with the 1st pillar, is intended to ensure the continuation of the accustomed standard of living.

What are the options?

When you retire, you can choose from FUTURA whether you want to draw a pension or your retirement capital. Another option is a combination of both: you can have a partial amount paid out as a lump sum and draw the rest as a monthly pension. Your individual situation and your personal needs will have a decisive influence on this irrevocable decision. And it is advisable to carry out personal financial planning at an early stage.

If you would like to apply for a lump-sum withdrawal, you will find the "Retirement lump-sum withdrawal" form on our website under Downloads. Married persons require the written consent of their spouse.

FUTURA does not have a capital notification period.

TO THE FORM "capital reference"

Advantages and disadvantages?

Drawing a pension offers the greatest possible security. The amount (paid quarterly in advance with FUTURA) is paid out until the end of your life. You do not have to worry about investments and have a regular, constant income.

Although a lump-sum withdrawal offers the greatest possible flexibility in the withdrawal and inheritability of the money, it also has its disadvantages. The insured person must manage and allocate the withdrawn capital independently. They bear the investment and longevity risk themselves. When withdrawing the money, it is important to remember that the capital benefit is taxed.

A mixed model can make sense.

FUTURA does not have a notification period for lump-sum withdrawals.

What are the options?

When you retire, you can choose from FUTURA whether you want to draw a pension or your retirement capital. Another option is a combination of both: you can have a partial amount paid out as a lump sum and draw the rest as a monthly pension. Your individual situation and your personal needs will have a decisive influence on this irrevocable decision. And it is advisable to carry out personal financial planning at an early stage.

If you would like to apply for a lump-sum withdrawal, you will find the "Retirement lump-sum withdrawal" form on our website under Downloads. Married persons require the written consent of their spouse.

FUTURA does not have a capital notification period.

TO THE "Capital withdrawal" FORM

Advantages and disadvantages?

Drawing a pension offers the greatest possible security. The amount (paid quarterly in advance with FUTURA) is paid out until the end of your life. You do not have to worry about investments and have a regular, constant income.

Although a lump-sum withdrawal offers the greatest possible flexibility in the withdrawal and inheritability of the money, it also has its disadvantages. The insured person must manage and allocate the withdrawn capital independently. They bear the investment and longevity risk themselves. When withdrawing the money, it is important to remember that the capital benefit is taxed.

A mixed model can make sense.

FUTURA does not have a notification period for lump-sum withdrawals.

Who will receive the insured lump-sum death benefit if I die?

are entitled to the full lump-sum death benefit, regardless of inheritance law:

a) the spouse of the insured person; in the absence of a spouse

b) the children entitled to a pension; in their absence

c) the natural persons who have been supported by the insured person to a significant extent or the unmarried person who has lived with the unmarried insured person without interruption for the last five years until the insured person's death; in their absence

d) the other children of the insured person; in their absence

e) the parents or siblings of the insured person.

If none of the persons mentioned under letters a to e are present, half of the lump-sum death benefit shall be paid to the other legal heirs in equal shares, to the exclusion of the community.

What does deferment of retirement mean?

Es ist mit dem Einverständnis der:des Arbeitgebenden möglich, über das ordentliche Referenzalter (65) hinaus, längstens jedoch bis zum ersten Monat nach dem 70. Geburtstag, bei der:dem gleichen Arbeitgebenden erwerbstätig zu sein und in der Pensionskasse gemäss dem bisherigen Vorsorgeplan versichert zu bleiben. Die Versicherung der Invalidenleistungen sowie der das Altersguthaben übersteigenden Todesfallkapitalien erlischt allerdings.

If the person dies after reaching the reference age, the survivors are entitled to the benefits that would be due after the death of the old-age pensioner.

The employer is responsible for notifying FUTURA. FUTURA will contact the insured person because the pension plan can either be deferred without contributions or continued with savings contributions in accordance with the pension plan. This decision must be made no later than one month before the reference age is reached. In any case, administrative costs will be due in accordance with the Foundation's cost regulations.

How far in advance do I have to register my retirement?

If you retire at the normal AHV reference age, we will send you the registration form and a calculation of your retirement benefits by post a few months before you retire.

If you would like to retire early (i.e. sometime between 58 and 65) or would like to take partial retirement, please contact our customer service.

All documents (registration form, proof of marital status, ID copy, etc.) must be submitted to us at least 1 month before the withdrawal to ensure smooth processing.

You can find the form here:

Retirement notification

My web portal login isn't working or has been blocked. What should I do?

We recommend that you log in using a different browser (Edge, Firefox, Chrome).

If your account has been blocked due to multiple incorrect password entries, the block will be lifted automatically after approx. 60 minutes.

If you no longer have your login details, please get in touch with your customer service contact or send an e-mail to You will receive the new login details from us by post.

TO THE WEB PORTAL

I forgot my myFUTURA login. What should I do?

To reset your password, you will need your user name and the registration code that you used to register. If you no longer have the registration code, please get in touch with your customer service contact or send an e-mail to You will receive the new login details from us by post.

An information sheet on registering on myFUTURA can be found here:

TO THE "MYFUTURA" FACT SHEETTO MYFUTURA

The Federal Council sets the minimum interest rate on the mandatory portion of retirement assets (2026 = 1.25%). Pension funds are free to set their own interest rates on the non-mandatory portion.

For years, this solid foundation has enabled FUTURA to repeatedly allow insured persons to share in the good investment results by means of additional interest payments. In 2025, retirement assets (mandatory and non-mandatory, i.e., comprehensive) earned 4.5% interest.

You will find the annual interest credit on the pension certificate, provided you generate this on 01.01. of the respective year in the "myFUTURA" portal. Of course, you can also contact our customer service for this.

TO MYFUTURA

When do survivors' benefits apply?

In the event of the death of an insured person, a pension fund pays benefits to the next of kin. These include in particular

• Spouse's pension / partner's pension
• Orphans' pensions
• Possible lump-sum death benefit

These benefits serve to provide financial security for surviving dependants and are intended to partially compensate for loss of income after the death of the insured person.

Eligibility and the amount of benefits are based on the statutory provisions of the BVG (Federal Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors' and Disability Pension Plans) and the respective pension fund regulations and pension plan.

What do the threshold amounts mean and how high are they?

Limit amounts are fixed thresholds that play a key role in occupational pension provision (BVG). They determine when and to what extent an insured person is covered by the pension fund in accordance with the law. The most important limit amounts in 2026 are as follows:

• BVG: CHF 22,680
  Anyone who earns an annual income below this threshold is not compulsorily insured under the occupational benefit scheme.

• BVG: CHF 26,460
  In the statutory minimum solution, this amount is deducted from the annual income in order to calculate the so-called coordinated salary - i.e. the portion of the salary that is actually insured. The coordination deduction takes into account the fact that part of the income is already covered by AHV/IV.

• Maximum qualifying AHV salary: CHF 90,720
  Parts of income above this amount are not insured under the mandatory occupational benefit scheme. However, salaries in excess of this amount can be insured under the extra-mandatory part.

These limits are adjusted regularly, usually every two years, to take account of salary and price trends. For this reason, your contributions and the expected retirement benefits will change at this rate even if there are no other influences (change in salary, degree of employment or pension plan).

Important: These limits may be set differently for non-mandatory pension plans. The employee benefits committee (employee and employer representatives in your company) defines the insured salaries and benefits. Your pension certificate shows which savings or risk salary is insured.

How high are the pension fund contributions?

The pension fund contributions depend on the salary, age and pension plan of the employer. At least half of all contributions for employees are paid by the employer. The contributions are deducted directly from the salary each month.

The personal contributions are shown in detail on page 2 of the pension certificate. You can find help with the "myFUTURA" login here:

TO THE MEMO SHEET

What does the coverage ratio mean?

The coverage ratio shows the relationship between the pension fund's available assets and its obligations to active employees and pensioners. A coverage ratio of 100% means that the pension fund can fully cover all of its obligations as at the defined reporting date (officially confirmed by the occupational pensions expert as at December 31). If the coverage ratio is higher than 100%, reserves have been formed.

The members of the Staff Pension Commission (PVK) are responsible for decisions regarding the company's occupational benefits and, in particular, for determining/changing the individual pension plan. Among other things, the PVK is responsible for forwarding information from the FUTURA Board of Trustees to the employees. You can see who has been elected as a representative in your company on page 2 of your pension certificate.

What is the lump-sum death benefit?

If no pension benefits are due on the death of an insured person, the existing retirement assets are paid out as a one-off lump-sum death benefit. The beneficiaries are defined in the pension fund regulations and can be parents or siblings, for example.

TO the pension fund regulations

The beneficiary regulations are also dealt with in this chapter: see "Beneficiary regulations".

It is important to regularly review your personal situation and, if necessary, submit a beneficiary declaration to ensure that the assets are distributed in accordance with your wishes.

Who is entitled to an orphan's pension?

An orphan's pension is paid for each eligible child (up to the age of 18 or a maximum of 25 if in education) after the death of the insured person. The amount of the orphan's pension can be found in the pension plan or pension certificate.

See "Incapacity for work".

What is the old-age pension?

The savings capital available on retirement is converted into an annual, lifelong retirement pension at the conversion rate in accordance with the currently valid regulations. The conversion rate used for this is determined by the Board of Trustees and is already defined at FUTURA until 2029.

TO THE KEY FIGURES

You can find a calculation example here:

TO THE MEMO SHEET

The insured person is free to opt for a (partial) lump-sum withdrawal instead of a pension (see "Lump-sum withdrawal").

What are retirement credits?

Retirement credits are annual savings contributions that you and your employer pay into your pension fund account together. These contributions are calculated as a percentage of the insured salary and are used to build up retirement capital.

The amount of the retirement credits varies according to age and is generally or in accordance with the BVG:

• 25-34 years: 7% of the coordinated savings salary
• 35-44 years: 10% of the coordinated savings salary
• 45-54 years: 15% of the coordinated savings salary
• 55-65 years: 18% of the coordinated savings wage (women born in 1964 or later)

Your employer's pension plan may provide for different savings contributions!

What are retirement assets?

The retirement assets are the money that an insured person accumulates in the pension fund over the course of their working life. It is the personal savings account for the pension from the second pillar.

Your pension certificate, which you can generate at any time via the portal (see under "myFUTURA"), shows the current account balance on the selected key date.

"BVG" corresponds to the mandatory portion resulting from the statutory minimum benefits. The "Total" refers to the assets actually saved during the period of employment in accordance with the FUTURA regulations and the defined benefit plans of the employer.

How are the retirement savings made up?

The retirement savings consist of:

1. vested benefits transferred (amount transferred when changing pension fund)
2. Retirement credits (savings contributions from employee and employer)
3. Voluntary contributions made (purchase sums)
4. Interest credits
5. Further deposits, e.g. from divorce or free funds

The credit balance may be reduced by a payout in the event of divorce or when withdrawing funds for home ownership.

Further information on the pension certificate can be found in our information sheet in the download area.

TO THE DOWNLOADS

What are shift allowances?

Shift allowances are additional payments made by employers to employees working shifts in order to compensate for the special burdens and restrictions caused by atypical working hours. They are part of the salary subject to AHV contributions and must therefore be taken into account when calculating the reported annual AHV salary.

What do AHV annual salary, insured savings salary, BVG and insured risk salary mean?

The annual AHV salary reported by the employer generally corresponds to your gross salary subject to AHV contributions. This includes all income that an employee receives as part of the employment relationship. Salary components that only occur occasionally (overtime, long-service awards, bonuses) are not subject to BVG insurance and are not normally taken into account.

The legally insured savings wage corresponds to the reported annual AHV wage minus BVG(2026: CHF 26,460). The BVG is a fixed amount that is deducted from the AHV-liable wage in order to calculate the insured wage for occupational pension provision.

The maximum BVG insured by law may not currently (2026) exceed CHF 64,260. Income above this amount can be covered by a supplementary pension plan if the employer decides to offer one.

The legally insured risk salary is often defined in the same way as the insured savings salary.

The pension plan shows which salaries are insured in your specific case.

What are the pension regulations?

Every pension fund must draw up pension fund regulations. They define the rights and obligations of the insured person and the pension fund and set out the framework conditions for benefits in old age, death or disability. You can find FUTURA's pension fund regulations here:

TO THE PENSION FUND REGULATIONS

Technical interest – what is it?

The technical interest rate for a pension fund is a calculated interest rate that is used to discount future pension obligations. It is used to calculate the current capital requirement for the future payment of pensions. This is not a guaranteed interest rate for insured persons, but an assumption about the long-term return that can be achieved on the invested capital.

The technical interest rate has a significant influence on the conversion rate and the funding ratio of the pension fund. It is determined by the Board of Trustees in collaboration with the occupational pensions expert, based on the legal framework and economic expectations.

The technical interest rate for FUTURA is 2.0% (as at 2025).

What happens to my pension fund assets when I die?

An entitlement to death benefits exists if the insured person

• was insured under the pension fund regulations at the time of death or when the incapacity for work, the cause of which led to death, occurred; or
• was receiving a retirement or disability pension from the Foundation at the time of death.

The provisions of the respective pension plan apply. In addition to spouse's or partner's pensions, orphans' pensions or a lump-sum death benefit may also be paid out. You can see the individual benefits on your pension certificate (see also "Pension certificate").

Do I still have to pay pension fund contributions if I am unable to work?

Contributions are waived in the event of incapacity for work of more than 25% and after a waiting period of generally three months. From this point on, no more contributions have to be paid. Nevertheless, you remain insured.

How is the old-age pension calculated?

Your personally saved retirement capital is converted into a lifelong annual retirement pension as follows:

Existing retirement assets at the time of retirement × Conversion rate in accordance with the regulations

Calculation example:

CHF 100,000 (retirement assets) * 5.3% (conversion rate, as of 2026) = CHF 5,300 (annual retirement pension).

In addition, there are the AHV benefits (1st pillar). You can apply in writing to your compensation office for a pension forecast for this part.

I am buying/building a home. Can I use my pension fund assets to finance this?

Pension fund assets can be withdrawn or pledged to finance owner-occupied residential property within the framework of home ownership subsidies (WEF).

Additional options are the repayment of mortgages or the purchase of share certificates in housing cooperatives. An early withdrawal is only possible every five years. The amount is limited after the age of 50. The provisionally calculated maximum amount that you can use for this can be found on your personal pension certificate. Married persons need the written consent of their spouse. A definitive check will take place when you submit the application form.

If the residential property is sold, the amount withdrawn in advance must be repaid. An advance withdrawal can cause a pension gap and the insured person may have to take out private supplementary insurance. In the event of a pledge, the full entitlement to insurance benefits remains in place. The advance withdrawal or pledge is only valid for personal use.

How high are the administrative costs?

At FUTURA Vorsorge , the administrative costs amount to a moderate CHF 300 per insured person per year.

From 2026, only CHF 270 per insured person and insurance year will be charged under the Basic Plan.

The financing of these costs is regulated in the pension plan and can be seen on the pension certificate.

What does account management cost?

FUTURA Vorsorge a flat-rate administrative fee per insured person per year for managing the retirement account. At least 50% of this premium is usually financed by the employer and is already included in the monthly pension fund deduction that you can see on your pay slip.

Thanks to the sharp rise in the number of insured persons we serve, we have been able to optimize our cost structure and reduce administrative costs by 10% to CHF 270 per year since 2026.

In December 2022, the Board of Trustees adopted a comprehensive sustainability strategy. FUTURA has been taking sustainability criteria into account in its investments since 2012.

FUTURA has published an annual sustainability report since the 2023 financial year. Further information can be found here:

SUSTAINABILITY AT FUTURA

What is the conversion rate?

The conversion rate determines how the retirement assets are converted into a lifelong pension at the reference age.

At FUTURA, the conversion rate is defined for the coming years. In the event of early or deferred retirement, the conversion rate is reduced or increased by -/+ 0.2% p.a. in each case. The conversion rates are interpolated to the nearest month on the basis of the effective age at retirement.

Further information on the conversion rate can be found here:

TO THE KEY FIGURES

What is the reference age?

The reference age in the pension fund, also known as the retirement age, is the age from which an insured person can claim their retirement benefits without reductions. In Switzerland, the reference age for men and women is the same at 65.

Women born between 1961 and 1969 have a transitional arrangement under which the reference age is gradually raised from 64 to 65.

Can I improve my personal pension provision with voluntary contributions?

Your employer deducts the regular contributions from your salary each month. Additional purchases can be made from private funds on a voluntary basis under certain circumstances. In addition to increasing retirement benefits, personal contributions are attractive from a tax perspective because the amounts paid in can be deducted from income. A corresponding confirmation, which must be enclosed with the tax return, is issued by FUTURA after each purchase. It should be noted that funds in the 2nd pillar are tied up.

You can see how much you can pay into the pension fund as a provisional value on the pension certificate (see information sheet "Notes on the pension certificate"). A form must be completed and submitted before the first payment is made (see "Purchase calculation application" form).

If there is no longer any regular purchase potential (value 0 on the statement), it may be possible to buy out early retirement. In this case, please contact customer service.

Important: If you are planning to have your pension fund assets or part of them paid out as a lump sum, no more purchases should be made three years beforehand, as otherwise the tax advantage will lapse and the tax authorities will demand additional payments. This blocking period has no effect on pension withdrawals.

Purchases into the pension fund can now be made directly via myFUTURA. Further information on purchases can be found in the "Purchase" information sheet:

TO THE "PURCHASING" FACT SHEET

What does the pension plan define?

In the pension plan, your employer has defined which insurance benefits apply to their employees. This plan includes the amount of the savings contributions and the benefits in the event of death or disability. You can obtain the pension plan that applies to you from your employer.

When is the surviving spouse entitled to a spouse's pension by law?

Whether and to what extent a spouse's pension is insured is shown on the pension plan and certificate. The general eligibility requirements are defined in the pension fund regulations. In the case of extended cover, the entitlement arises solely as a result of the death of a married person.

Instead of a spouse's pension, payment of the lump sum can also be requested. The pension fund must be informed of this before the first pension payment is made.

The pension is paid out until the death of the surviving spouse, but can be reduced if there is a large age difference, for example.

If the eligibility requirements are not met, a one-off settlement equivalent to three years' spouse's pension will be paid. All claims are then deemed to have been settled.

The pension entitlement ceases if the beneficiary remarries or dies.

What is a child pension?

The child's pension is a financial benefit which, if you receive a retirement, disability or survivor's pension and have children, is paid out for each child entitled under the pension plan.

As a rule, the entitlement lasts until the child reaches the age of 18 or completes their education, but no longer than the age of 25. The valid pension plan is decisive.

For children between the ages of 18 and 25 who are in education, proof of education is required on a regular basis.

You can find the exact amount on your pension certificate, which you can download from the "myFUTURA" portal:

TO myfutura

What does partial retirement mean?

Partial retirement is a gradual transition to retirement in which the workload and income are reduced in stages. Instead of leaving work abruptly, employees from the age of 58 can reduce their working hours in several stages (maximum of three stages) and draw retirement benefits from the pension fund in the corresponding amount. The first partial withdrawal must correspond to at least 20% of the retirement benefits. The period between the partial retirement steps must be at least one year.

For example, a person could reduce their workload from 100% to 70% and draw 30% of their retirement benefits accordingly. Later, they could reduce their workload further and claim additional retirement benefits. Partial retirement can only be taken with the consent of the employer.

When is there an entitlement to a partner's pension?

The life partner's pension is financial support that the surviving life partner receives after the death of the insured person. The civil partnership must be registered no later than three months after the death. Registration is only possible if the civil status is single, divorced or widowed.

Claim

The surviving partner is entitled to the partner's pension provided the following conditions are met at the time of the insured person's death.

• both partners are unmarried and not related to each other; and
• they are not registered within the meaning of the Federal Act on the Registered Partnership of Same-Sex Couples of 18.06.2004; and
• they have maintained a joint household at the same officially confirmed place of residence in a stable couple relationship without interruption for the last five years until the death of the insured person (if and as long as the health situation permitted this) or the surviving partner was supported to a considerable extent by the insured person. A tax-recognized weekly residence is equivalent to the official residence.

The entitlement also exists if the surviving partner is responsible for the maintenance of one or more joint children.

A civil partnership giving rise to a claim is also possible between persons of the same sex.

These requirements for a partner's pension can also be found in the pension fund regulations:

TO THE PENSION FUND REGULATIONS

Amount of the pension

The amount of the partner's pension is defined in the pension plan.

Who is compulsorily insured?

All employees who are at least 17 years old and have an annual income of more than CHF 22,680 (as of 2026) are compulsorily insured. From January 1 following their 17th birthday, they are insured against disability and death, and from January 1 following their 24th birthday, they also start saving for retirement.

How do I register on myFUTURA?

Go to myFUTURA:

TO MYFUTURA

When you log in for the first time, select the green "Start registration" button at the bottom left and enter the initial access code you received from FUTURA and your social security number (SVN number).

Choose a user name and a password. The password must be at least 10 characters long and contain lower case letters, upper case letters and at least one number. Important: You will need the user name for future logins.

Select whether you would like to authenticate yourself via e-mail, SMS or smartphone app (Google Authenticator). Read the terms of use and accept them to complete the registration process.

An information sheet on registering on myFUTURA can be found here:

TO THE "MYFUTURA" FACT SHEET

Please note that the registration code is regularly deactivated for security reasons, i.e. approx. every 6 months, and a new code must be ordered if you have never logged in during this time.

What is a vested benefits account?

If you change jobs or leave the pension fund without a new employer, the existing retirement assets are generally transferred to a vested benefits account. This serves to secure pension entitlements until retirement or until a new employment relationship is established. It can be opened at any bank and closed from the age of 60. Until then, the funds are tied up.

What happens to my pension fund assets if I change jobs?

If you change jobs, your pension assets are transferred to the pension fund of your new employer. Alternatively, it can be transferred to a vested benefits account or a vested benefits policy.

The insured person must indicate where the capital is to be transferred to. If no notification is received, a vested benefits account is automatically opened with the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution after 6 months.

The application for cash payment (transfer of the money to a private account) can be made under certain conditions (see under "Emigration").

Am I still BVG if I take unpaid leave?

In the event of unpaid leave, the entire pension plan (savings & risk) or just the risk insurance can be continued for a maximum of 12 months. The premium financing is generally at the expense of the insured person.

If no contributions are paid, the risk cover is also interrupted. In the event of a claim, there is no entitlement to benefits with the exception of the lump-sum death benefit, which corresponds to the existing retirement assets.

The start and end of unpaid leave must be notified to the Foundation in writing.

It is important to obtain information from the pension fund before taking unpaid leave and, if necessary, to take measures to maintain insurance cover and savings.

TO THE FORM

Why am I not receiving any mail from FUTURA?

All relevant documents and information are always available to you digitally in our user-friendly portals:

myFUTURA for employees. You can find information on logging in here:

TO THE "MYFUTURA" FACT SHEET

The web portal for employers.

Contact customer service to find out about other options.

How do I read the pension certificate?

The pension certificate shows your current insurance situation based on the pension fund regulations and your pension plan valid on the reference date.

The pension certificate is generated on joining, at the beginning of the year and whenever there is a change, e.g. a salary increase, and is made available to the insured person on the "myFUTURA" portal. To log in, click HERE or read the instructions HERE. If you would like to receive the document physically, please contact customer service.

In our information sheet "Explanations on the pension certificate", we explain the most important terms and background information and help you to find your way around the pension certificate:

TO THE MEMO SHEET

I have become incapacitated for work. What will I receive from my pension fund?

In the event of disability, the disability pension specified in the pension plan is paid out after the defined waiting period (or after the continued salary payment and daily allowance benefits have been exhausted). In the event of partial disability, the amount of the disability pension is paid out taking into account the degree of disability. The exact amount can be found on your pension certificate, which you can access at any time on our "myFUTURA" portal. Information on how to log in can be found in the description here:

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Are unemployed persons insured under the 2nd pillar?

Individuals who receive unemployment benefits of more than CHF 87.10 per day (as of 2025) are compulsorily BVG with the BVG Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution (Stiftung Auffangeinrichtung BVG) for the risks of disability and death (but not for old age). Half of the risk contributions are paid by the insured person and half by the unemployment insurance.

Retirement provision, i.e. savings, can be continued voluntarily. However, the insured person pays these contributions themselves.

What happens in the event of a divorce?

In the event of a divorce in Switzerland, the pension fund assets accumulated during the marriage are generally divided. Each spouse is generally entitled to half of the assets acquired during the marriage. The division takes the form of an equalization payment to the pension fund or to a vested benefits account of the other partner.

Since January 1, 2017, joint assets have also been divided if one of the spouses already receives a disability or retirement pension from the 2nd pillar.

Under certain conditions, the divorced spouse is also entitled to benefits from the pension fund.

The court is responsible for definitively determining the amount to be transferred.

Do lump-sum withdrawals from a Swiss pension fund have to be taxed?

Capital withdrawals from a Swiss pension fund must always be taxed in Switzerland. Tax is generally paid at your place of residence.

Exception see "Withholding tax".

I am emigrating. What does this mean for my pension fund assets?

A cash payment of the pension capital is possible if someone emigrates, i.e. leaves Switzerland permanently.

• The non-compulsory portion of the pension capital is freely available for withdrawal.
• There are restrictions on the mandatory part. If you move to an EU/EFTA country, cash payment is not possible if the person there continues to be insured against old age, death and disability. You must invest the mandatory portion of your vested benefits in a vested benefits account in Switzerland. Whether there is a compulsory insurance obligation varies from person to person and can be clarified at www.verbindungsstelle.ch. If you are not subject to compulsory insurance in your new country, the entire vested benefits can be transferred to a private account.
• If you move to another country, a so-called cash payment (transfer to a personal account) is possible.

Please note: If you move abroad, you can only withdraw the capital after you have officially deregistered from your place of residence. The departure from the company must have taken place at this point in time or be completed promptly. Withholding tax is levied at the location of the pension fund. You will only receive the net amount. The insured person is responsible for reclaiming the withholding tax in the respective country.

In the case of cash payments, the notarized signature of the spouse is also required for married persons.

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I am emigrating. Can I have my pension paid out abroad?

The retirement pension can also be transferred to an account abroad. Please note that the Foundation does not compensate for exchange rate losses.

What is the reversionary spouse's pension?

The reversionary spouse's pension is the pension that is co-insured if the insured person dies.

In the event of death before retirement, the spouse's pension calculated in the pension certificate is paid out (provided you are married or the surviving dependant meets the conditions for a partner's pension).

At the time of retirement, you can choose how high the entitlement should be for the period after retirement (60%, 80% or 100%). An increase in the prospective spouse's pension results in a lifelong flat-rate reduction in the personal retirement pension and is irrevocable (reduction for a prospective entitlement of 80% = 6%, for 100% = 11%).

Case management is a structured procedure that is used to provide targeted support to people with complex support needs. At its core, it is about coordinating individual assistance processes - in other words, ensuring that someone receives exactly the support, treatment or care that they need. A specialist, the so-called case manager, takes on the role of a central contact person. This person plans, organizes and monitors the various services, which often come from different sources (e.g. doctors, social services, insurance companies).

The aim is to provide seamless, efficient and needs-based care in which the person concerned is actively involved.

FUTURA works with a selected partner in the area of case management. This partner offers rapid support in the event of work-related, social, health or personal problems and provides relief for managers and those affected. At the same time, absences and additional costs are reduced or prevented.

Case management is suitable for employees with reduced performance, abnormal behavior, repeated short absences or short-term incapacity to work.

What is the vested benefit?

The vested benefits, also known as termination benefits, are the assets that every insured person in Switzerland accumulates with their pension fund. These assets are made up of the employee's and employer's savings contributions and interest.

If an insured person terminates their employment relationship and has no new employment, the vested benefits are transferred to a vested benefits account or a vested benefits policy (insurance solution) is opened at the request of the insured person. If the person takes up gainful employment again, the vested benefits account can be closed and the balance transferred to the new pension fund. This must be arranged by the account holder.

What is the coordination deduction?

The coordination deduction is the deduction that is made in the 2nd pillar because you are already insured in the 1st pillar.

Example (as of 2026): If the gross annual salary is CHF 80,000 and the coordination deduction is CHF 26,460, the coordinated salary is calculated as follows: CHF 80,000 – CHF 26,460 = CHF 53,540. This coordinated salary is usually the basis for calculating pension fund contributions. Companies affiliated with FUTURA are free to set lower coordination deductions or waive deductions altogether in order to expand the second pillar.

Can I withdraw the retirement assets if I am self-employed?

A cash payment of the termination benefit is possible if someone becomes self-employed as their main occupation in Switzerland and is no longer subject to mandatory occupational benefits insurance. The person must prove to the pension fund that they are self-employed (e.g. by means of rental contracts, purchase of materials, AHV confirmation, entry in the commercial register). The application must be submitted in the year following the start of self-employment. Married persons require the written consent of their spouse.

The entitlement to further benefits from the pension fund expires when the retirement assets are withdrawn.

Are part-time employees BVG?

Part-time employees are BVG if their annual income exceeds CHF 22,680 (as of 2026). In the case of supplementary pension plans, employers can voluntarily set a lower coordination deduction or insure the entire salary.

What is the minimum salary for mandatory BVG?

The minimum annual salary, known as the BVG, is CHF 22,680 (as of 2026). Insurance against the risks of death and disability begins on January 1 after the age of 17. Retirement savings begin on January 1 after the age of 24.

What is the BVG?

The BVG (Federal Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors' and Disability Pension Plans) regulates the mandatory minimum occupational pension benefits in Switzerland.

The BVG declared on the pension certificate therefore corresponds to the assets that would have been saved in accordance with the statutory minimum benefits.

Employers have the option of voluntarily providing better, so-called extra-mandatory benefits.

You can generate your pension certificate at any time in the "myFUTURA" portal. You can find information on registration here:

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