State pension funds given green light to seek better returns abroad
The federal pension fund is to be able to invest its assets abroad, with the aim of boosting its return on investment.
The government said on Wednesday that a modification of the current law would come into force on February 1.
The interior ministry said the move away from investments in Swiss stocks alone would bring more money into the fund, without having to take any more risks than at present.
It added that up to 60 per cent of fund assets of SFr22 billion ($13.41 billion) would gradually be invested abroad or in real estate.
The ministry said the additional revenues would not guarantee the financial future of the fund. This, it said, could only be achieved by cost-cutting measures and an increase in income, notably from the gradual increase in Value Added Tax.
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