What does AHV stand for?
Was bedeutet AHV?
Correct answer: A
- A Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung (old-age and survivors' insurance)Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung
- B Auto- und Heimreiseversicherung (car and home travel insurance)Auto- und Heimreiseversicherung
- C Arbeits- und Haushaltsversicherung (work and household insurance)Arbeits- und Haushaltsversicherung
- D Amt für Hausverwaltung (office for property management)Amt für Hausverwaltung
Why
AHV stands for Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung (old-age and survivors' insurance). It pays pensions in old age and to widows, widowers and orphans.
Common mistakes
- C: Arbeits- und Haushaltsversicherung (work and household insurance)
- The AHV has nothing to do with household work. «H» stands for Hinterlassene (survivors).
Topic
AHV, IV and supplementary benefits
The AHV is the most important social insurance in Switzerland. AHV stands for old-age and survivors' insurance. It pays a pension in old age. It also pays the survivors: these are widows, widowers and orphans when someone dies. The AHV is compulsory for everyone who lives or works in Switzerland.
Reference age 65
First pillar
Erste Säule
State pension provision with the AHV and IV, compulsory for everyone.
Second pillar
Zweite Säule
Occupational pension provision, also called the pension fund or BVG.
Third pillar
Dritte Säule
Voluntary private pension provision, for example pillar 3a.
State, job, self: 1st pillar from the state (AHV), 2nd pillar through your job (pension fund), 3rd pillar you save yourself.
Supplementary benefits Extra money if the pension is not enough for the subsistence minimum.
Living in Switzerland
Pension provision
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 145 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.