Guidance

Switzerland has an extensive social insurance system.

For people living and working in this country and their relatives, Switzerland’s elaborate social insurance system provides extensive financial protection against risks that cannot be managed individually.

Some people believe this protection goes too far, others that it does not go far enough. Ongoing development of the social insurance system and its adaptation to new challenges is thus a constant balancing act between what is desirable and what is feasible.

However, by international standards, the existing system of social security provides a good level of protection: social insurance makes substantial contributions – from the costs of birth to occupational accidents and death.

The individual social insurance schemes are as follows:

Old age and surviving dependants’ insurance (AHV)
Disability insurance (IV)
Supplementary benefits (EL)
Loss-of-earnings compensation (EO)
Unemployment insurance (ALV)
Accident insurance (UV)
Health insurance (KV)
Military insurance (MV)
Occupational pension funds (BV) or 2nd pillar
Family allowances (FZ)
Maternity benefits
Social assistance (not a social insurance scheme)

Advice for insured persons

Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt (Suva)

Unfallversicherung - Wegleitung des SVV

Advice for SMEs

The Federal Social Insurance Office’s “Ratgeber Sozialversicherung” (Social Insurance Adviser) provides small and medium-sized enterprises with a comprehensive overview of the individual insurance schemes as well as useful assistance on how to deal with social security companies.

Ratgeber Sozialversicherung: Ein praktischer Führer für KMU