What does the abbreviation IV stand for?
Was bedeutet die Abkürzung IV?
Correct answer: D
- A Interessensvertretung (representation of interests)Interessensvertretung
- B Internationales Verfahren (international procedure)Internationales Verfahren
- C Inakzeptables Vorkommen (unacceptable occurrence)Inakzeptables Vorkommen
- D Invalidenversicherung (invalidity insurance)Invalidenversicherung
Why
IV means Invalidenversicherung (invalidity insurance). Together with the AHV, it belongs to the first pillar.
Common mistakes
- A: Interessensvertretung (representation of interests)
- A representation of interests is, for example, an association. But the abbreviation IV means the insurance.
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 154 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.