This chapter gives a general description of certain benefits granted in case of invalidity (see also the chapters on Other invalidity-related cash benefits and Rehabilitation measures provided under the invalidity insurance).

Benefits covered in this chapter:

• invalidity pension of the invalidity insurance (1^st pillar)
• supplementary benefits to the 1^st pillar
• invalidity pension under the occupational benefit plans (2^nd pillar)

In what situation can I claim?

There are three levels of invalidity benefits in Switzerland:

• benefits of the invalidity insurance (1^st pillar), topped up as needed by supplementary benefits;
• benefits under the occupational benefit plans, a compulsory insurance for the majority of employees (2^nd pillar);
• benefits of the voluntary private savings plan (3^rd pillar) that the insured persons may take out on an optional basis. This is encouraged through tax incentives. These benefits are also governed by contractual provisions and are not detailed in this chapter.

What conditions do I need to meet?

Invalidity pension under the basic scheme (1^st pillar)

Anybody living or engaged in a paid employment in Switzerland (employees, self-employed and those not in work) is insured under the 1^st pillar.

If you have work incapacity of at least 40% for 1 year and you are still disabled at the end of that year, you are entitled to an ordinary invalidity pension, provided that you can demonstrate at least 3 years of contributions.

You can apply for this pension from the age of 18 up to retirement age.

Supplementary benefits to the 1^st pillar

These are granted if your means (pensions and other income) are not sufficient to cover your basic needs. These benefits apply to disabled persons as well as survivors and the elderly, who receive a pension under the AVS or AI, or receive certain other invalidity benefits.

However only persons with assets of less than CHF 100,000 are entitled to supplementary benefits. This threshold is set at CHF 200,000 for couples and CHF 50,000 for children. The value of a building used as a home by its owner is not taken into account.

Invalidity pension under the occupational benefit plans (2^nd pillar)

The employees who receive from the same employer an annual salary greater than CHF 22,050 are compulsorily insured under the 2^nd pillar.

If you are disabled to the extent of at least 40% and were insured under the 2^nd pillar when the incapacity to work which led to invalidity arose, you may claim an invalidity pension.

What am I entitled to and how can I claim?

Invalidity pension under the basic scheme (1^st pillar)

The invalidity pension is calculated according to the same principles as the old-age pension (see the chapter on Old-age benefits). It is dependent on the number of years of contributions as compared to the people from their own age class and the average annual income. The amount of the pension varies according to the degree of invalidity.

To assess the degree of invalidity, the income which you could have earned if you were not disabled is compared to that which you could earn in an occupation compatible with your state of health. If you are not in work, your invalidity is assessed according to your capacity to carry out your usual activities (e.g. housework).

The amount of the pension is determined as a percentage of a full pension:

• for a degree of invalidity between 40 and 49%, the amount of the pension ranges from 25 to 47.5% according to a scale defined by law;
• for a degree of invalidity between 50 and 69%, the amount of the pension corresponds to the degree of invalidity;
• for a degree of invalidity equal to or greater than 70%, the insured person is entitled to a full pension.

The full pension amount corresponds to the one of the old-age pension.

Entitlement to the invalidity pension ends as soon as you are no longer disabled or you have retired.

Supplementary benefits to the 1^st pillar

If the invalidity pension under the 1^st pillar and other income are not sufficient to cover the basic needs, supplementary benefits may be paid by the cantons.

To receive supplementary benefits, you must be habitually resident in Switzerland. If you are a foreign national, you must have legally resided in Switzerland without interruption for 10 years (5 years for refugees and stateless persons).

These benefits include the annual supplementary benefit, paid every month and the reimbursement of costs due to sickness and disability.

The amount of this benefit depends on each person's situation. It is calculated on the basis of your recognised expenses and determining income.

Applications for supplementary benefits must be submitted in writing to the appropriate office in your canton of residence, usually the cantonal compensation fund.

Other benefits

Note that a helplessness allowance may also be paid to people who need the help of a third party to carry out basic everyday tasks (see the chapter on Other disability-related cash benefits).

Invalidity pension under the occupational benefit plans (2^nd pillar)

The invalidity pension is calculated according to the same principles as the old-age pension and also takes into account old-age credits projected up to retirement (see the chapter on Old-age benefits).

The pension amount also depends on the degree of invalidity.

Jargon busters

• Invalidity: reduction in earnings capacity or the capacity to carry out usual activities (such as housework) following any impairment to physical, psychological or mental health. This incapacity is presumed to be permanent or long-lasting (at least 1 year). It may result from a congenital disease, sickness or accident.

Forms you may need to fill in

• Click here to find all the useful forms related to invalidity insurance

Know your rights

The following links provide additional information about your rights. They are not European Commission sites and do not represent the view of the Commission:

• Invalidity insurance
• Invalidity insurance benefits
• Supplementary benefits to the first pillar
• Social insurance: sojourn in Switzerland and departure - information for foreign nationals

European Commission publications:

• EU Social Security Coordination

Who do you need to contact?

AI offices

The invalidity insurance offices can provide further information and direct you to the appropriate services.

Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO)

Effingerstrasse 20

3003 Bern

Tel. +41 584629011

The FSIO online