Selection of spouse's pensions

You have flexibility in your selection of spouse's pensions and can make this choice in line with your individual pension requirements and lifestyle. You get to assert your autonomy not only in terms of contribution rates, but also with regard to conversion rates, and select the option that best satisfies your personal needs. 

At the time of retirement, you can choose the insured spouse's pension from the options below.
The following options are available:
  • Option 1: Spouse's pension of 60% of the retirement pension
  • Option 2: Spouse's pension of 100% of the retirement pension 
  • Option 3: Spouse's pension corresponding to the statutory minimum benefits under the FSOPP

The insured must inform the Pension Fund of the option selected at least two months before retirement. If this is not communicated by the insured, Option 1 is applied. The choice of option is final and cannot be changed at a later time.

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Conversion rates

  • Conversion rates are based on the actuarial principles FSOPP 2015, projected to 2016, and generation tables (GT) with a technical interest rate of 1.5%.
  • The insured can determine the size of the deferred spouse's pension at the time of retirement as follows:
    • Option 1: Spouse's pension of 60% of the retirement pension paid
    • Option 2: Spouse's pension of 100% of the retirement pension paid.
    • Option 3: Spouse's pension corresponding to the statutory minimum spouse's pension under BVG.
  • The conversion rate in Appendix A is determined on the basis of the selected option, year of birth and age at retirement. 
  • The insured must inform the Pension Fund Swiss Re of the amount of the deferred spouse's pension at the latest two months before retirement. If the insured does not communicate a desired option, a deferred spouse's pension of 60% of the retirement pension is insured.
  • The insured must inform the Pension Fund Swiss Re of the amount of the deferred spouse's pension at the latest two months before retirement. If the insured does not communicate a desired option, a deferred spouse's pension of 60% of the retirement pension is insured.
  • If married insureds choose Option 3, an advisory consultation with the spouse and the Pension Fund Swiss Re is mandatory. The spouse must agree to the choice of Option 3 in writing, with the signature being notarised.

Conversion rate based on retirement age and year of birth

PDF  Conversion rates

Using the conversion rate that applies for the chosen option according to the year of birth, the accrued retirement savings capital at the time of retirement is converted to a pension.

The Pension Fund Board may change the conversion rates at any time.

You can find the full table of conversion rates up to age 70 in Appendix A to the Regulations.

The retirement process begins three months before your retirement date. At this time, you will receive a letter from the Pension Fund Swiss Re indicating the various options you can select for the payment of your retirement benefits. You can choose a monthly pension, a once-off lump sum or a combination of both. The necessary application forms for you to complete will be included with the letter.

The following reduction conditions apply to spouse's pensions:

  • Reduction of the spouse's pension by 4% per year for each full year over ten years of age difference, ie there is a reduction starting from 11 years of age difference. For instance, for an age difference of 12.5 years, the reduction amounts to 2 x 4% = 8%.

  • The duration of the marriage does not affect the amount of the reduction.

  • The divorced spouse will receive at least the statutory minimum benefits under the FSOPP.

  • The new reduction conditions apply for all new spouse's pensions starting from 1 January 2019.