Death of an active insured or pensioner

Surviving spouse’s pension

The surviving spouse of an active insured or pensioner is entitled to a survivor’s pension, provided that, upon the death of the insured or pensioner, they:

a)  Are responsible for financially supporting children or have raised joint children, or
b)  Have passed the age of 45 and the marriage had lasted at least five years, or
c)  Are at least 50% disabled as per the IV, and the marriage had lasted at least five years.

If the surviving spouse does not fulfil any of these conditions, they will receive a single lump sum.

Further details on the surviving spouse’s pension can be found in Articles 13.1 to 13.7 of the pension fund rules.

Surviving life partner’s pension

The surviving life partner of an active insured or pension recipient is entitled to a surviving life partner’s pension on the following conditions, provided that, at the time of death:

a)  The life partner was supported by the deceased to a considerable degree and is aged 45 or above, or
b)  The active insured or pension recipient and the surviving life partner had lived together without interruption in a shared place of residence as defined in civil law and in a shared household during the last five years before the former’s death, for as long and to the extent permitted by their health, and the surviving life partner isaged 45 or above, or
c)  The surviving life partner is obliged to support at least one joint child financially.

The cohabiting partnership, considerable degree of support or obligation to support a joint child financially must have begun prior to the pensioner’s retirement. The life partner must be nominated as a beneficiary during the lifetime of the insured and prior to their retirement, using the Pension Fund’s beneficiary nomination form bearing the officially or notary-certified signatures of the insured and the beneficiary. The beneficiary form must have been submitted to the Pension Fund prior to the pensioner’s retirement.

Further details on the surviving life partner’s pension can be found in Articles 13.9 to 13.19 of the pension fund rules.

If the requirements for a life partner’s pension are not met, there is the option of a lump sum death benefit (see below). 

Orphan's Pension

If an insured dies before or after their retirement, each of their children aged under 18 will receive an orphan’s pension. This pension is paid until the 18th birthday. Children who have not yet finished their education are entitled to a pension until their 25th birthday. The term ”children“ refers to both biological and adopted children, as well as foster children who are entitled to receive pension benefits under AHV/IV regulations.

Lump-Sum Death Benefit

If an active insured dies before retirement and no claim to survivors’ benefits exists, a lump sum death benefit amounting to 100% of the accrued retirementassets will be paid out to the entitled claimants.

The eligibility requirements for death benefits for active insured persons are set out in Art. 13.23 of the pension fund rules.