Pensions for cross-border workers: what you will receive from Switzerland
Every year worked in Switzerland entitles you to a Swiss pension, on top of your French pension. It is based on three "pillars". Here is how they work and what you need to do.
In short
- The basic pension (AVS) and the occupational pension (2nd pillar) are deducted from your salary.
- The reference retirement age in Switzerland is 65.
- When you leave Switzerland for France, the mandatory part of the 2nd pillar stays locked until retirement.
The three pillars
| Pillar | What it is | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| 1st pillar: AVS | Basic pension, paid half by you and half by your employer | Yes |
| 2nd pillar: occupational pension (LPP) | Retirement savings managed by your employer's pension fund, deducted from your salary | Yes |
| 3rd pillar | Personal retirement savings (3A, with withdrawal conditions, or 3B, unrestricted) | No |
If you leave your job in Switzerland before retirement
- The mandatory part of the 2nd pillar cannot be withdrawn if you move to live or work in France: it stays in a locked account in Switzerland, called a vested benefits account, until retirement.
- The so-called "extra-mandatory" part (what your fund paid in above the legal minimum) can be paid out to you: ask your pension fund for it.
- Make a careful note of the contact details of your pension fund and your vested benefits account: that is where you will need to claim your money later.
Some funds let you draw the 2nd pillar from age 58, or up to age 70 if you keep working.
When you retire
- Make a single pension claim with your French pension fund (Carsat): it forwards your file to Switzerland for the basic pension (AVS).
- Contact your pension fund or your vested benefits account for the 2nd pillar.
The 3rd pillar trap: if you open a 3rd pillar A, you might have to keep paying in even after leaving your job in Switzerland. Find out before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Can you withdraw your 2nd pillar when you leave Switzerland for France?
Only the extra-mandatory part. The mandatory part stays locked in a vested benefits account until retirement.
At what age do you receive the Swiss pension?
The reference age is 65. Some funds let you draw the 2nd pillar from age 58.
How do you claim your Swiss pension when you live in France?
Make a single claim with your French pension fund (Carsat), which forwards your file to Switzerland for the basic pension.
Useful links
- ch.ch: the 2nd pillar explained by the Swiss Confederation
- L'Assurance retraite for your French pension
Sources: ch.ch, occupational pensions · Frontaliers Grand Est, the Swiss pension system