– 5. March 2025

How can AHV gaps be closed?

Persons who have fulfilled the contribution obligation are entitled to an ordinary pension. The contribution period determines whether a full or partial pension can be paid. The contribution period is complete if the contribution obligation has lasted 44 years, from the age of 21 until the reference age (formerly: “ordinary retirement age”). For women born between 1961 and 1964, this is between 43 and 44 years. The contribution period is considered incomplete if there are fewer than 44 contribution years. This results in contribution gaps. This results in a partial pension being paid out. The reduction is 1/44 for each missing contribution year.

How and for how long can the gaps be closed?

It is possible for contribution years to be paid in arrears, for a maximum of the last 5 years (only if there was no residence and no gainful employment abroad).
Compensation: Anyone who completed an apprenticeship between the ages of 17 and 20 can have these so-called youth years taken into account.

It is worth ordering a so-called IK statement (individual account). This allows gaps to be checked. An IK statement can be ordered every 5 years, for example.
Since January 2024, it has been possible to request a recalculation of the pension once within five years of reaching the reference age, taking this income into account.
A recalculation achieves the following:

Higher relevant average annual income (but not more than the maximum pension).
Gap filling: In order for contribution gaps to be closed by the recalculation, the prerequisite is that at least 40% of the average income before the reference age is reached. In addition, the minimum amount of annual AHV contributions is set at CHF 530 (year 2025).

If pensioners are in gainful employment, they are entitled to an OASI allowance of CHF 1,400 per month and employer. If, under certain circumstances, the aforementioned 40% limit is not reached, the allowance can be waived and contributions paid on the full salary. However, the employer must be informed of this at the beginning of the year.

Our lawyers will be happy to answer any questions you may have in the area of social security law.