What is a social insurance in Switzerland?
Was ist eine Sozialversicherung in der Schweiz?
Correct answer: B
- A car and passenger insurance (AIV)die Auto- und Insassenversicherung (AIV)
- B invalidity insurance (IV)die Invalidenversicherung (IV)
- C theft insurance (DV)die Diebstahlversicherung (DV)
- D building and fire insurance (BFV)die Bau- und Feuerversicherung (BFV)
Why
The IV is a state social insurance. In case of invalidity, it helps with integration into work and with pensions.
Common mistakes
- A: car and passenger insurance (AIV)
- Car insurance is private insurance and not social insurance.
- D: building and fire insurance (BFV)
- Building insurance exists, but it is not social insurance. It insures houses, not people.
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 151 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.