Social insurance
A compact network of social insurance schemes provides the Swiss population with comprehensive protection against financial and social risks in old age and in the event of death, illnesses, accidents, invalidity or unemployment.
Security in many areas of life
The Swiss social insurance system is divided into five areas:
- Old-age, survivors’ and invalidity insurance
- Protection against the consequences of illness and accidents
- Income compensation for service personnel
- Unemployment benefits
- Support for families and children
Financial security
Social insurance schemes provide pensions, pay compensation for loss of earnings and family allowances, cover the majority of costs resulting from illnesses or accidents, and support the integration of insured individuals into society and the labour market. These benefits are primarily funded by the insured persons and their employers (through wage deductions, contributions or premiums), as well as by taxpayers.
Established three-pillar system
Old-age and survivors’ insurance (OASI) and invalidity insurance (IV), occupational pension provision and private pension provision together form the three-pillar system for old-age, survivors’ and invalidity benefits, which has been enshrined in the Federal Constitution since 1972.
Bundesamt für Sozialversicherungen (BSV)
The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) is responsible for old-age and survivors’ insurance (OASI), invalidity insurance (IV), supplementary benefits, occupational pension provision (pension funds), income compensation for service personnel and maternity/paternity (EO), transition benefits for older unemployed persons, as well as family allowances. Within these areas, it ensures that the social insurance network is maintained and continuously adapted to evolving challenges. The FSIO is also responsible at the federal level for the topics of family, children, young people, older people, intergenerational relations and general social policy issues.