Two issues will be submitted to a popular vote on September 22nd, 2024.

The first, and the less contentious of the two, is the vote “For the future of our nature and our landscape (Biodiversity Initiative).”

It calls, as its name suggests, for increased funding to preserve the country’s biodiversity and ecosystems.

If accepted, this proposal would enshrine in the constitution the obligation of cantons and the federal government to increase protection of nature, landscapes, as well as historic buildings and sites, by allocating more funding to this pursuit.

Pension reform

This vote, which seeks to decrease the second-pillar (LLP) pension is far more controversial — and there is a good reason for this.

But what exactly is the second-pillar (LPP) retirement fund?

Like the first one —the state AHV / AVS pension — the second pillar is also obligatory.

It is designed to enable pensioners to maintain their standard of living in retirement.

To benefit from the scheme, you must pay in monthly contributions throughout your working life, if:

• You are at least 17 years old
• You pay into the first pillar
• You are in fixed employment and earn at least 22,050 francs a year

You and your employer each pay half of the required amount, which is based both on your salary and your age.

From 25 to 34 years old, the contribution is 7 percent of your salary; 35 to 44, 10 percent; 45 to 54 years old,15 percent; and 55 to retirement, 18 percent — each of these contributions spilt in half between you and your employer.

How much occupational pension you receive once you retire will depend on how much you (and your employer) contributed into the second pillar fund throughout your working years. It will also depend on your last salary. 

As a general indication, the amount of first and second pillar pension usually makes up 60 to 70 percent of your last salary. (People who want to get even more money, can invest into the third pillar, which not compulsory, but helpful.)

READ ALSO: What is Switzerland’s ‘second pillar’ pension and how you will benefit from it? 

Why is the pension reform vote stirring controversy?

The reform is calling for cutting the LPP from 6.8  to 6 percent, which means annuities would drop by about 3,240 francs a year on average.

The Federal Council, which supports this move, argues that this reform is meant to ensure that pension funds can sustain the impact of longer life expectancy among retirees.

However, for most pensioners, the second pillar is an important supplement to the retirement income and they don’t want to see it decreased.

But there is another reason as well.

In view of recent events, many people in Switzerland have doubts about the government’s pension calculations.

Just weeks ago, it was revealed that Switzerland’s Social Insurance Office had miscalculated projected spending for the old-age pension up to the year 2033: the annual expenditure is likely to be around 4 billion francs less than originally estimated.

Based on this news, many people in Switzerland now say there is likely enough money in the pension coffers, and the cut in LPP is therefore not needed.

READ ALSO:  What does Switzerland’s huge pension ‘fiasco’ mean and what happens next?