What is the standard retirement age in Switzerland?
Was ist das ordentliche Rentenalter der Schweiz?
Correct answer: C
- A 63 for women and men63 Jahre bei Frauen und Männern
- B 64 for women and men64 Jahre bei Frauen und Männern
- C 65 for women and men65 Jahre bei Frauen und Männern
- D 66 for women and men66 Jahre bei Frauen und Männern
Why
The standard retirement age is called the reference age. With the AHV 21 reform, it is the same for women and men: 65 years.
Exam answer: «65 Jahre bei Frauen und Männern». Today: men 65. Women step by step: born in 1962 at 64 years and 6 months, born in 1963 at 64 years and 9 months, born in 1964 or later (from 2028) at 65 (FSIO, AHV 21, as of 2026).
Common mistakes
- B: 64 for women and men
- In the past, the retirement age for women was 64. The AHV 21 reform raises it to 65.
- D: 66 for women and men
- A retirement age of 66 does not apply in Switzerland. The people rejected an increase in 2024.
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 175 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.