AHV/IV: digital data available from 2028

Context

In brief

• AVS/AI data digitally consultable from 2028
• Savings of 35 million francs per year
• Optional platform for insured individuals

Key facts

• What: New law on information systems of social insurances
• When: Approved on April 29, 2026, expected to come into force in 2028
• Where: Switzerland, with impact on cross-border workers in Ticino
• Who: National Council, Federal Council, Central Compensation Office
• Amount: Savings of 35 million francs per year, including 25 million in postal expenses

The National Council has approved the new law on information systems of social insurances, which will allow insured individuals to consult their AVS and AI files in digital format. The project, supported by the parliamentary groups of the PS, the Centre, the PLR, the Greens and the Green Liberals, was approved with 131 votes in favor and 62 against. The UDC expressed its dissent, fearing excessive centralization. The dossier will now pass to the Council of States.

Currently, insured individuals who wish to obtain information about their first pillar must wait several weeks for a response, as data exchange is not automated and often relies on PDF or paper documents. The new digital platform will allow significant savings, estimated at 35 million francs per year, including 25 million in postal expenses.

Implications for cross-border workers

Insured individuals will be able to use the platform to provisionally calculate their AVS pension, check for any contribution gaps or verify if employers have correctly paid contributions. The use of the platform will remain optional and will require authentication through an electronic identity recognized by the Government. Executive bodies and insurers will, however, have a legal obligation to communicate with each other electronically.

The National Council made some changes to the government's draft to best manage the digital transformation of the first pillar. The Central Compensation Office will have to involve the executive bodies in the development and management of the new AVS/AI and family allowance platform. These actors will have to set up a strategic steering body, responsible for defining priorities, implementation methods and standards for information systems at national level.

Procedure and deadlines

The new platform will be available from 2028. Insured individuals who wish to use the platform will have to register and authenticate themselves through an electronic identity recognized. Registration will be optional, but once completed, users will automatically receive an extract of the AVS contributions paid each year, allowing them to report any contribution gaps.

For cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and reside in Italy, this new platform represents a significant step towards greater transparency and efficiency in the management of AVS contributions. The possibility of consulting their data in digital format and receiving annual extracts of the contributions paid will facilitate pension planning and verification of the correctness of payments.

Operational details

Advantages of Digitalization

The digitalization of AVS/AI data will bring numerous benefits for cross-border workers and insured individuals in general. Among the main advantages are:

• Reduced waiting times: Currently, obtaining information about one's first pillar can take several weeks. With the new platform, waiting times will be significantly reduced, allowing insured individuals to quickly access their data.
• Greater transparency: The ability to consult one's files in digital format and receive annual extracts of the contributions paid will increase transparency and allow insured individuals to more easily monitor their contributions.
• Economic savings: Digitalization will lead to estimated savings of 35 million francs per year, of which 25 million in postal expenses. These savings can be reinvested in other sectors of the pension system.

Comparison with the Current Situation

Currently, the exchange of data related to social insurance is not automated and often relies on documents in PDF or paper format. This process is not only slow but also prone to errors and inefficiencies. The new digital platform will allow the standardization of electronic data exchange, reducing the risk of errors and improving the overall efficiency of the system.

Practical Scenarios

Imagine a cross-border worker who works in Switzerland and resides in Italy. With the new digital platform, this cross-border worker will be able to:

• Calculate their AVS pension: Using the platform, the cross-border worker can provisionally calculate their AVS pension, facilitating financial planning for retirement.
• Verify contributions paid: The cross-border worker can check if their AVS contributions have been correctly paid by their employers, avoiding any contribution gaps.
• Receive annual extracts: Each year, the cross-border worker will automatically receive an extract of the AVS contributions paid, allowing them to constantly monitor their pension situation.

Implications for Employers

Employers in Switzerland will be required to communicate electronically with the executive bodies and insurers. This legal obligation will ensure that AVS contributions are correctly and timely paid, reducing the risk of errors and omissions. Employers will also need to ensure that their employees are informed about the new platform and the methods of accessing their data.

Involvement of Executive Bodies

The Central Compensation Office will need to involve the executive bodies in the development and management of the new platform. This strategic, technical, and operational involvement will ensure that the platform meets the needs of all parties involved and is implemented efficiently and securely. The executive bodies will also need to establish a strategic steering body, tasked with defining priorities, implementation methods, and standards for information systems at the national level.

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

What to do to access the platform

To access the new AVS/AI digital platform, insured individuals will need to follow these steps:

1. Registration: Register on the platform using an electronic identity recognized by the Government. 2. Authentication: Log in to the platform using the credentials provided during registration. 3. Data consultation: Access your AVS and AI files and consult the available data. 4. Pension calculation: Use the tools available on the platform to provisionally calculate your AVS pension. 5. Contribution verification: Check if AVS contributions have been correctly paid by employers and report any contribution gaps. 6. Receiving annual statements: Automatically receive an annual statement of AVS contributions paid and constantly monitor your pension situation.

Useful tools

To facilitate access to the new platform and the management of your AVS/AI data, insured individuals can use the following tools:

• AVS pension calculator: An online tool that allows you to provisionally calculate your AVS pension.
• Contribution verification: A tool that allows you to check if AVS contributions have been correctly paid by employers.
• Annual statements: A tool that allows you to automatically receive an annual statement of AVS contributions paid.

Conclusion

The new law on information systems for social insurances represents a significant step towards greater transparency and efficiency in the management of AVS/AI contributions. For cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and reside in Italy, this new digital platform will offer numerous advantages, including reduced waiting times, greater transparency, and the ability to constantly monitor your pension situation. To learn more, consult the AVS pension calculator.

Source: tio.ch