Part-time work is now used widely, whether for family care, further education or for your own work-life balance. However, clarifications regarding occupational benefits and risk protection are important.

Part-time work leads to a lower salary being insured. The result of this is that, on the one hand, the savings contributions for occupational benefits are lower and, on the other hand, the insurance cover is also reduced in the 1st and 2nd Pillar in the event of disability and death.

Do you work part-time? Optimise your occupational benefits

You can actively influence all three pillars of your occupational benefits:

1. Pillar (AHV)

Parents automatically receive parental credits for children, which have a positive impact on the AHV. 

If you are caring for relatives, you have the right to receive care credits. You must apply for this to the cantonal compensation office in your canton of residence annually.

2. Pillar (pension fund)

The coordination deduction determines which part of your salary is insured in the 2nd pillar. It is normally 7/8 of the maximum annual AHV pension. Discuss with your employer or with your pension fund whether there is a coordination deduction and whether it is adapted to your part-time work rate.

In addition, a purchase into the pension fund – if there is purchasing potential – can be a useful measure to optimise your occupational retirement benefits, especially after an increase in the number of hours that your work.

3rd pillar

Private savings in the 3rd Pillar can also improve your occupational benefits. A financial planner can support you individually when planning.

Are your partner or you working part-time? Check your level of insurance cover

In family models where one person primarily takes care of the child and the number of hours that they work, the risks of disability or death should be assessed carefully. On the one hand, the loss of the employed person can have considerable financial consequences and, on the other hand, the loss of the carer can also lead to high additional costs. Advice from a financial planner can be useful in this case.

On your pension certificate, you can see the benefits that you or your family members are expected to receive in the event of disability or death.
 

Information on the occupational pension

Are you looking for more information on the occupational pension? The Verein BVG Auskünfte will provide you with free information on questions about your pension fund or your retirement pension. More information on the Verein, which is supported by Profond (available in German and French only).