Swiss pension fund on death – survivor benefits
When an active or retired person dies in Switzerland, the occupational pension fund (2nd pillar) provides benefits for surviving relatives.
Benefits
- Widow(er)'s pension: 60 % of the invalidity/old-age pension (BVG minimum). Conditions: at least 5 years married or supporting children.
- Registered partner: equivalent right.
- Orphan's pension: 20 % per child until 18 (25 while in education).
- Lump-sum death benefit: per regulations, often to a cohabiting partner or children.
Notifying the fund
Notify immediately via the last employer. Documents: death certificate, family record, certificate of inheritance, beneficiary proof for the lump sum.
Payment deadlines
Typically within 3–6 months of complete filing. Pensions run from the month after the date of death. Lump sums are taxed at a cantonal privileged rate.
Cohabitation and edge cases
A cohabiting partner is only entitled if the fund's regulations allow it and the deceased declared the partner in life. Pillar 3a follows BVV3 rules. The Wegbegleiter App guides you through every notification.
Frequently asked questions
- When does the widow's pension start?
- The month after the date of death.
- Lump-sum amount?
- Set by fund regulations, often close to the accumulated capital.
- Marriage shorter than 5 years?
- No life-long pension but usually a lump-sum equivalent to 3 annual pensions.
- Pillar 3a beneficiaries?
- Spouse, children, then further beneficiaries per BVV3.
Wegbegleiter – the app for difficult moments
The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) guides you step by step: checklists, letter templates and an encrypted emergency folder – free to start.