Retirement Planning for Women in Switzerland: How to Ensure a Successful Retirement
“To ensure you can maintain your current standard of living in retirement, it is more important than ever to start planning for retirement early—ideally five to ten years before you stop working.”
Retirement expert
Published on
6. March 2026
The most important facts in brief
Retirement marks one of the most significant turning points in life. For women in Switzerland in particular, the AHV 21 reform has fundamentally changed the landscape. To maintain one’s accustomed standard of living in old age, early retirement planning—ideally five to ten years before leaving the workforce—is now more important than ever.
The new reality: The reference age of 65
With the AHV 21 reform, the previous “normal retirement age” was replaced by the term “reference age.” This describes the point in time from which the AHV pension can be received without reductions or surcharges.
- Gradual increase: Since January 1, 2025, the retirement age for women in Switzerland has been rising by three months annually.
- Timeline: Women born in 1961 have a reference age of 64 years and 3 months. For those born in 1964 and younger, the reference age of 65 will apply uniformly starting in 2029, the same as for men.
Compensatory measures for the transitional generation
Women born between 1961 and 1969 belong to the so-called transitional generation and receive financial compensation for their longer working life:
- Pension supplement: Those who do not take early retirement receive a lifelong supplement of up to 160 francs per month, scaled according to year of birth and income. Important: This supplement is not counted as income when calculating supplementary benefits.
- Simplified early withdrawal: If you decide to take early retirement, you benefit from significantly reduced reduction rates.
Flexible Pension Withdrawal in the 1st and 2nd Pillars
The reform introduces new flexibility regarding retirement, covering both the AHV and the pension fund.
- Partial retirement: You can now receive your pension in partial amounts ranging from 20% to 80%, allowing for a smooth transition out of the workforce. In the pension fund, the withdrawal of retirement savings is now legally established in up to three stages.
- Monthly payments: Early withdrawal (starting at age 63, or 62 for the transitional generation) or deferral (until age 70) can now be arranged flexibly on a monthly basis.
- Continuing to work past age 65: Those who continue working beyond the reference age may, under certain circumstances, close contribution gaps and thus increase their AHV pension to the maximum amount.
The 3rd Pillar: Closing Gaps and Saving on Taxes
Private pension planning is becoming increasingly crucial for sound retirement planning, as women statistically tend to receive lower pensions from the 2nd pillar.
- Retroactive Contributions: Starting in 2026, it will be possible for the first time to make retroactive contributions to the 3a pillar for up to ten years. This offers a new opportunity to effectively close pension gaps.
- Tax benefits: Contributions up to the maximum amount (2026: CHF 7,258 for insured persons with a pension fund) are fully deductible from taxable income.
Actively Addressing the “Gender Pension Gap”
On average, women in Switzerland receive a retirement pension that is about one-third lower than that of men. This is often due to career breaks for caregiving, part-time work, or lower wages. Since women also have an average life expectancy that is four years longer, their retirement savings must last for a longer period of time. Independent retirement planning that does not rely solely on a partner’s pension is therefore essential.
Important changes starting in 2026
When planning, you should consider two key factors that will take effect in 2026:
- 13th AHV Pension: In December 2026, the 13th AHV pension (8.33% of the annual pension) will be paid out for the first time. Those eligible are individuals receiving a pension in the relevant December.
- Rising Costs: Health insurance premiums are expected to rise by an average of 4.4% in 2026, which will strain the retirement budget.
Conclusion: How to Start Your Retirement Planning
Successful retirement planning in Switzerland requires concrete steps: Create a realistic budget for life after retirement, review your pension entitlements, and decide in good time whether to opt for a pension, a lump-sum payment, or a combination of both from your pension fund.
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Frequently asked questions
When exactly will I reach my target age?
Starting January 1, 2025, the reference age for women will be gradually increased by three months per birth cohort. For those born in 1961, it will be 64 years and 3 months; for those born in 1962, 64 years and 6 months; and for those born in 1963, 64 years and 9 months. Starting with the 1964 birth cohort, the reference age of 65 will apply uniformly to all women in Switzerland.
What financial compensation does the transitional generation receive?
Women born between 1961 and 1969 are eligible for specific measures to compensate for the increase in the retirement age. Those who do not take early retirement will receive a lifelong monthly pension supplement of up to 160 francs, the amount of which depends on their year of birth and average income. This supplement is not counted as income when calculating supplementary benefits.
Can I retire early despite the reform?
Yes, it is still possible to take early retirement from the AHV pension. Women in the transitional generation can begin receiving their pension as early as age 62; for everyone else, the age limit is 63. Another new feature is that the pension can be received flexibly in partial amounts ranging from 20% to 80%. Please note, however, that early withdrawal results in a lifelong reduction in the pension, although reduced reduction rates apply to the transitional generation.
How can I retroactively close gaps in my pension coverage?
The reform introduces new tools to optimize retirement planning. Starting in 2026, missed contributions to Pillar 3a can be paid retroactively for up to ten years, provided that income subject to AHV contributions was earned in the relevant years. In addition, individuals who continue to work beyond the reference age can supplement their AHV pension by making additional contributions, thereby closing existing contribution gaps until the maximum pension is reached.