The House of Representatives on Wednesday decided against a debate about a plan to boost payments to beneficiaries by between CHF7 to CHF14 ($7 to $15)) a month.
Observers say the other parliamentary chamber, the Senate, is likely to follow the house during the current spring session.
Opponents, notably among parties to the right, argued the compensation scheme was unfair to families and would cost CHF418 million.
They said the government had already increased pensions by 2.5% at the beginning of the year as part of a regular adjustment to compensate for inflation and salary levels.
However, supporters on the political left argued the regular compensation fell short of higher prices. They said rising energy costs, rents and health insurance premiums are putting an undue financial burden on consumers.
Interior Minister Alain Berset, whose portfolio includes social security, said the government was opposed to an additional pension increase.
Annual inflation in Switzerland stood at 2.8% at the end of 2022.
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Thousands of retired Swiss seniors falling into poverty
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While most senior citizens in Switzerland can comfortably make ends meet, one in five is living either below or close to the poverty line.
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