The number of people between 60 and 64 who claim welfare payments has risen by nearly 50% over the past five years, according to the interior ministry.
Keystone/Martin Ruetschi
The Swiss government has presented plans for pre-pension payments for older employees who can no longer claim unemployment benefits.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
El gobierno prevé pagos a desempleados de más de 60 años
Under the proposals, the only people who could apply for the payments are those who lost their jobs and are no longer eligible for unemployment benefits.
The potential beneficiaries must have paid a minimum amount into the state-run old age pension scheme for 20 years and have had a minimum income of CHF21,330 ($21,500) annually for at least ten years before filing a claim. The personal wealth of an individual beneficiary must not exceed CHF100,000.
Social security package
The pre-pension payments are to be funded by the government and could cost CHF230 million ($232 million) annually in 2030. An estimated 4,400 people could be eligible for the payments, according to the interior ministry.
The planned measures are part of a government policy agreed with the employer’s organisation and the unions to promote Swiss employees on the labour market.
Studies have found that older people are marginalised amid pressure from younger employees from European Union countries benefiting from unrestricted access to the Swiss labour market.
EU immigration not bad for Swiss jobs, says economics ministry
This content was published on
Immigration from the EU remained stable last year and had a minimal impact on Swiss salaries, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs reports.
Swatch shareholders reject board bid by Steven Wood
This content was published on
At the Swiss watchmaker’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 79.2% of votes cast opposed his election to the supervisory board.
WHO members agree to 20% rise in mandatory contributions
This content was published on
If the resolution is backed in the plenary session, the organisation’s budget for 2026-2027 will rise to CHF4.2 billion ($5.1 billion).
Japanese inflatable concert hall heads to Switzerland for the first time
This content was published on
The Ark Nova has been assembled four times to date – each time in a Japanese city. But this September, it’s heading to the Lucerne Festival.
Swiss government pledges CHF11 million to UNRWA amid Gaza crisis
This content was published on
Switzerland will contribute CHF20 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs in the occupied Palestinian territory and to support UNRWA operations.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Older workers have ‘untapped potential’ to fill labour shortages
This content was published on
Tapping existing pools of talent including older workers and women will help companies meet future skilled labour according to a new Deloitte report.
More job seekers abroad claim Swiss unemployment benefits
This content was published on
The number of people drawing on Swiss unemployment benefits while searching for a job in the European Union has risen sharply in the last five years.
Court rules on jobless benefit for cross-border worker
This content was published on
A cross-border worker has been denied the right to claim unemployment benefits from the Swiss authorities after her limited contract ran out.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.