Parliament has voted to pay the 13th month pension payment once a year in December from 2026.
In March, voters decided on the rise by over 58%.
It will cost over CHF 4bn a year, but CHF 5bn by 2030. To pay for it, VAT will increase to 8.8% in 2026 and the federal government will contribute CHF 450m a year.
It will be paid to all those claiming a pension and won’t impact poorer pensioners who are already receiving extra welfare payments.
WEF quits following Epstein links
The president of the World Economic Forum, Børge Brende, has resigned following an internal probe into his past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Parmelin defends Trump comments
In a special edition of Infrarouge on RTS, the Swiss President Guy Parmelin defended his recent meeting with Donald Trump in Davos during the World Economic Forum.
Pharmacy miscalculates dosage for baby
A pharmacy in Zurich has apologised after a potentially dangerous dosing error involving a four-month-old baby.
Hybrid cars popular in Geneva
Geneva’s car market is shifting gears.
US to expand Bern Embassy
The US government has confirmed it will spend CHF 36m on renovating the embassy in Bern.
Fire victims will get federal money
Bern has announced it will pay each victim of the Crans Montana fire CHF 50,000 as a one time payment.
