13th OASI pension payment 2026: Who is entitled to it and how much will it be?
Key questions and answers about the 13th OASI pension
The 13th OASI pension payment will be paid for the first time in December 2026. Around 2.6 million pensioners will receive the additional payment. However, the actual amount will depend on the old-age pension payments received during 2026. We have summarised the most important questions and answers.
Who is entitled to the 13th OASI pension payment?
Anyone who is entitled to an OASI old-age pension in December is entitled to the 13th pension payment. The responsible compensation office will automatically pay the 13th pension together with the December pension.
The 13th OASI pension payment applies exclusively to old-age pensions. In particular, it does not apply to:
- Widows’, widowers’ and orphans’ pensions
- Disability insurance (DI) pensions
- Children’s pensions
- Supplementary pensions
- The pension supplement for women of the transitional generation under OASI 21
Special comparison and transitional provisions apply to people who simultaneously meet the requirements for an old-age pension and a widow’s or widower’s pension. As a general rule, the determining factor is which benefit is higher when considered over the year as a whole.
How much is the 13th OASI pension payment?
The 13th pension payment is equal to one twelfth of the total old-age pension payments actually received during the respective calendar year. The amount is rounded to the nearest Swiss franc.
Anyone who receives the same old-age pension throughout the year will therefore generally receive the equivalent of an additional monthly pension. If the pension amount changes during the year or pension payments only begin during the year, the 13th pension payment will be adjusted accordingly.
Example: pension payments starting in May 2026
For a monthly old-age pension of CHF 1,900 starting in May, the calculation is as follows:
| Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| 8 months × CHF 1,900 | CHF 15,200 |
| CHF 15,200 ÷ 12 | CHF 1,267 |
In this example, the 13th OASI pension payment amounts to CHF 1,267, rounded to the nearest franc.
Do I need to apply for the 13th OASI pension payment?
No. No application is required. Anyone entitled to an old-age pension in December will automatically receive the 13th OASI pension payment from the responsible OASI compensation office. It will be paid together with the December pension.
The exact amount can only be calculated definitively in December, as the pension amount may change during the course of the calendar year.
What applies if the OASI pension is drawn early or deferred?
The calculation is based on the old-age pension actually paid. If the pension is drawn early, the 13th pension payment is therefore based on the correspondingly reduced old-age pension.
If the pension is fully deferred, there is no entitlement to the 13th pension payment for as long as no old-age pension is drawn. In the case of a partial deferral, the portion of the pension actually drawn is taken into account.
What happens if a pensioner dies before December?
If a person dies between January and November, there is no entitlement to the 13th OASI pension payment. To qualify for the additional payment, the person must still be entitled to an old-age pension in December.
Does the 13th OASI pension payment affect supplementary benefits?
No. The 13th OASI pension payment is not treated as eligible income when calculating supplementary benefits. It must therefore not result in supplementary benefits being reduced or withdrawn.
Is the 13th OASI pension payment taxable?
Yes. Like the regular OASI pension, the 13th OASI pension payment is taxable as income.
Does the 13th OASI pension payment affect pension fund benefits?
The 13th OASI pension payment has been expressly excluded from an important coordination calculation in occupational pension provision. A corresponding amendment to the Ordinance on Occupational Retirement, Survivors’ and Disability Pension Plans (BVV 2) has been in force since 1 August 2026. This is intended to prevent the additional OASI pension payment from resulting in a reduction in pension fund benefits due to coordination. The thresholds applicable under the Federal Act on Occupational Retirement, Survivors’ and Disability Pension Plans (BVG), such as the entry threshold and coordination deduction, also remain unchanged.
How is the 13th OASI pension payment financed?
The first payment in December 2026 has been approved and will be made regardless of the outcome of the vote on additional financing. The 13th OASI pension payment will cost more than CHF 4 billion in its first year.
In June 2026, Parliament decided to finance part of the additional costs through an increase in VAT from 2028. The Swiss electorate will vote on this proposal on 29 November 2026.
The following changes are proposed:
| VAT rate | Current | Proposed from 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 8.1% | 8.5% |
| Special rate for accommodation | 3.8% | 4.0% |
| Reduced rate | 2.6% | 2.6% |
From 2029, the increase is expected to generate additional OASI revenue of around CHF 1.4 billion per year. This would cover only part of the additional costs. The Swiss electorate will decide on 29 November 2026 whether this financing will be implemented.
What does the 13th OASI pension payment mean for personal retirement planning?
The additional OASI pension payment increases annual income in retirement but does not replace individual pension and retirement planning. The interaction between OASI, occupational pensions and private pension provision remains crucial for personal retirement planning. Particularly for those approaching retirement, it is advisable to coordinate the various benefits and when they are drawn at an early stage.
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