Are there any special regulations for cross-border commuters regarding pension insurance?
April 29, 2023 | 60,00 EUR | answered by Helma Fischer
Dear tax consultant,
I am Isabel Köhler and I work as a cross-border commuter in Switzerland. For some time now, I have been dealing with the topic of retirement and I am wondering if there are special regulations for cross-border commuters regarding pension insurance. I am insured for retirement in Germany and I am wondering if I also have a claim to a Swiss pension.
Currently, I am unsure if I am adequately secured for old age and if I may have to pay contributions in both Germany and Switzerland. I am worried that I may have overlooked important information and could suffer financial losses in old age as a result.
Could you please explain to me what regulations exist for cross-border commuters regarding pension insurance? Is there a way to combine contributions in both countries? How can I ensure that I receive an adequate pension in old age?
I would be very grateful if you could help me with these questions and provide possible solutions.
Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Isabel Köhler
Dear Mrs. Köhler,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding pension insurance for cross-border commuters in Switzerland. As a tax advisor specializing in cross-border employment, I would be happy to assist you.
As a cross-border commuter in Switzerland, you are usually insured for retirement in Germany. This means that you pay contributions to the German pension insurance and therefore also qualify for a German pension. In Switzerland, on the other hand, there is a separate pension system, the so-called AHV (Old Age and Survivors' Insurance), in which you as a cross-border commuter can also participate.
Special regulations apply to cross-border commuters to ensure that you receive an adequate pension in old age. Usually, you can combine contribution periods in both countries to optimize your pension entitlements. However, you must meet certain conditions and submit the necessary applications.
There are different ways to combine contributions in both countries. For example, you can choose to pay voluntary contributions to the AHV in Switzerland to increase your pension entitlements. Additionally, there are bilateral agreements between Germany and Switzerland that regulate the pension entitlements of cross-border commuters and aim to avoid double taxation.
To ensure that you receive an adequate pension in old age, I recommend that you inform yourself in a timely manner about your pension entitlements in both countries and, if necessary, seek advice from the respective pension insurance providers. It is important to gather all relevant information and consider possible solutions to avoid financial losses in old age.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need assistance, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Helma Fischer, Tax Advisor
