
When will I receive the 13th AHV pension? This question has been on the minds of many Swiss people since the vote in March 2024. The additional pension is intended to provide more security in old age. But there are still unanswered questions about payment and financing. Regardless of whether you are retiring soon or still working – the 13th AHV pension affects you. Find out everything you need to know about this change to the Swiss pension system here.
When is the 13th AHV pension paid out for the first time?
You will receive your first 13th AHV pension from December 2026. Make a note of this important date. The Swiss voted for it on March 3, 2024. Now it’s becoming a reality. After the Council of States, the National Council also approved it in the spring session on March 3, 2025.
You don’t have to do anything to receive the additional pension. It will come automatically if you are entitled to an AHV pension in December 2026. So you can relax and look forward to it. Every year in December, your account will be a little fuller.
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Find out what will change in the key pension figures in 2025.
Who is entitled to the 13th AHV pension?
You may be asking yourself: “When will I receive the 13th AHV pension?” The answer is simple: if you are entitled to a regular AHV pension, you will also receive the 13th pension. This applies to everyone who receives an AHV pension in a given year.
Imagine Lisa, who has just turned 64 and is drawing her first AHV pension. She is delighted that she will automatically receive her 13th AHV pension from December 2026. So you don’t have to do anything special – when you receive an AHV pension, the 13th pension will land in your account all by itself.
It doesn’t matter whether you were employed or self-employed. As long as you meet the requirements for an AHV pension, you are also entitled to the “thirteenth”.
How often is the 13th AHV pension paid out each year?
You will receive your 13th AHV pension once a year, in December. The first payment date is in December 2026. This is an additional bonus on top of your monthly pension. This form of payment was supported by a clear majority in the consultation process.
The annual payout gives you more financial leeway. This can be particularly helpful at the end of the year, when expenses are often higher. You don’t have to wait for extra money every month. Instead, you can look forward to a larger amount at the end of the year.
What happens if I die before the 13th AHV pension is paid out?
That’s the catch with the annual payout in December. Unfortunately, there will be no payout to your heirs if you die before December. The entitlement to the 13th pension expires on the month of death.
So if you die between January and November, the 13th AHV pension for that year will no longer be paid out. In this case, the money remains with the AHV.
How is the 13th AHV pension financed?
The question of how the 13th AHV pension will be financed has not yet been fully clarified. This means that there is still no final regulation on how the money for this additional pension will be provided. The increase in value added tax by 0.7 % points is under discussion.

When will I receive my 13th AHV pension if I am about to retire?
If you are about to retire, you will receive your 13th AHV pension as soon as you are entitled to a regular AHV pension. This means that you do not have to wait until you have been retired for a certain number of years. As soon as you receive your first AHV pension, you will also receive the “thirteenth”.
Imagine you’re like Thomas from Geneva, who is retiring in a few months’ time. He is looking forward to receiving not only his first regular pension in December 2026, but also the additional 13th AHV pension. That’s a great start to retirement!
Summary: When will I receive my 13th AHV pension? All information
The 13th AHV pension will be paid out from December 2026 and is intended for anyone who is entitled to a regular AHV pension. You don’t have to do anything to receive it – it will automatically be paid into your account. The funding has not yet been fully clarified, but it is clear that this is a welcome addition to the regular pension. If you are about to retire, you can look forward to this additional amount as soon as you receive your first AHV pension.

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Disclaimer
We have taken great care in compiling the content of this article. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out errors and cannot guarantee that the content is correct, up-to-date or complete. This article does not replace tax advice. We do not offer investment or tax advice and recommend that tax issues are always clarified with a tax expert and/or the relevant cantonal tax authorities. Any liability is rejected.
FAQS on the topic “When will I receive the 13th AHV pension?”
When is the additional AHV pension paid out?
The supplementary AHV pension, also known as the 13th AHV pension, will be paid out for the first time in December 2026. You will receive it automatically if you are already drawing a regular AHV pension at that time.
Who benefits from the new AHV supplementary benefit?
Everyone who is entitled to a regular AHV pension benefits from the 13th AHV pension. This means that you do not have to meet any special requirements other than those that apply to the normal AHV pension. It doesn’t matter whether you were employed or self-employed.
How does the payment of the 13th AHV pension work?
The 13th AHV pension is paid out once a year, always at the end of the year in December. You don’t have to do anything – it is automatically transferred together with your regular AHV pension.
What requirements do I have to meet to receive the 13th AHV pension?
The only condition for receiving the 13th AHV pension is that you are entitled to a regular AHV pension in the year in question. You don’t have to fill in any additional forms or submit any applications. So if you’re like Peter from Winterthur, who was already worried about whether he had to do anything special, you can rest assured. As long as you receive your normal AHV pension, you will automatically receive the “thirteenth”.
What does the introduction of the 13th AHV pension mean for me as an employee?
As an employee, the introduction of the 13th AHV pension means that you can expect an additional pension payment per year in future. This will improve your financial situation in retirement. Bear in mind that the exact financing of the 13th AHV pension has not yet been finalized. It is to be expected that adjustments will be made to AHV contributions in the future.
Last update: 06.03.2025 08:13