All persons who receive a regular OASI old-age pension in December will receive the supplementary pension. It does not matter whether the pension has already been drawn for years or starts in December.
The following are not eligible:
The calculation is simple: the 13th pension corresponds to one twelfth of the total OASI old-age pension drawn in the year. Because the pension may change over the course of the year (e.g. on commencement of retirement or marriage), the supplementary benefit is calculated individually and rounded to whole francs.
Sample calculation 1: consistent retirement pension throughout the year
Mr. Meier draws a monthly OASI retirement pension of CHF 2,250 starting January 2026. It remains unchanged throughout the year.
Calculation:
Annual pension: 12 × CHF 2,250 = CHF 27,000
13th OASI pension (one twelfth): CHF 27,000 ÷ 12 = CHF 2,250
Payout: In December, Mr. Meier will receive an additional payment of CHF 2,250 in addition to his regular pension of CHF 2,250.
Sample calculation 2: Pension commencement during the course of the year
Ms. Keller will retire in May 2026 and will receive a monthly OASI pension of CHF 1,900 from then on.
Calculation:
Payout: in December, Ms. Keller will receive a supplementary pension of CHF 1,267 in addition to her regular pension of CHF 1,900.
Anyone who receives supplementary benefits will also receive the full 13th pension in addition – without any reduction in these benefits.
The 13th OASI pension is paid out automatically – you don't have to do anything. This simplifies the process for all involved and ensures that pensioners receive the additional benefit easily and on time at the end of the year. Anyone drawing a regular OASI old-age pension in December will receive the additional monthly payment together with the regular pension transfer.
The introduction of the 13th OASI pension will bring financial relief for many pensioners. People with low retirement pensions in particular will benefit from the additional payment, which amounts to one twelfth of the regular pension each year. The new regulation therefore also helps to better cushion the rising cost of living in old age.
There is a further advantage for recipients of supplementary benefits: the 13th pension is paid in addition to the existing support – there is no reduction in supplementary benefits. Overall, the introduction of the 13th OASI pension sends a clear signal for greater social justice and solidarity in Switzerland.
Despite the positive aspects, the 13th OASI pension also creates certain challenges. According to the Federal Council's proposal, this could be financed by increasing VAT by 0.7% – a measure that affects all consumers, regardless of their income. This could place a greater burden on households with a small budget, in particular. In addition, this measure would initially only secure funding through 2030. What happens then is currently still open and the subject of political debate. The fact that certain groups of people – such as IV pensioners or recipients of survivors' pensions – are excluded from the additional monthly pension, and therefore do not benefit from the new regulation, is also viewed critically.
