What is the cantonal clearing house?

The cantonal compensation fund is the body responsible for collecting AVS/AI/IPG contributions, maintaining individual insurance accounts and calculating the annuity. In the canton of Obvaldo, as in every Swiss canton, it operates under the supervision of the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS/BSV) and applies the same federal regulations.

How do I calculate my AVS annuity?

The AVS pension depends on the number of years of insurance, average income, retirement age and gender. You can get an estimate from the cantonal compensation fund by checking your insurance account online or by going to the office. The UFAS/BSV updates the minimum and maximum amounts each year according to wage and price developments.

What is the difference between AVS and complementary services?

The AVS is the first mandatory federal pillar and guarantees a minimum annuity calculated on years of contributions and income. The supplementary benefits (PC) are a cantonal intervention that supplements the AVS annuity until reaching the living minimum, if the annuity is insufficient. PCs are not automatic: they require a question and an assessment of the economic situation.

How do I apply for supplementary benefits in my canton?

Submit an application to the social security or welfare office in your canton. Attach the AVS annuity decision, statement of assets, recent bank statements and documentation of medical and housing expenses. The decision period is usually 30-45 days. The benefits start from the first day of the month of the application.

Can I fill in the contribution gaps in my AVS?

Yes, within certain time limits you can make voluntary contributions to the cantonal compensation fund to fill gaps. A gap represents a full year without paid contributions and reduces the final income. Check your insurance account at least every five years to identify any gaps. The clearinghouse provides free advice on how to fill them.

AVS in Obvaldo: annuity and complementary services (cross-border guide)

Di Laura Bianchi · Published on 23 August 2026

Swiss AVS pension documents with calculator and retirement statement on a desk with Swiss flag.

How the first pillar and complementary services work in the Obvaldo Canton. An AVS annuity guide.

Context

In a nutshell

The cantonal compensation fund manages contributions and contribution gaps in the first pillar.
AVS income calculated on 44 years of contributions (men) and 43 years (women).
Supplementary benefits supplement the annuity up to the minimum living wage in the cantons.

Key facts

What: First federal pillar (AVS) + complementary cantonal benefits
Who: UFAS/BSV (federal) + canton
Where: Switzerland, each canton manages supplementary services independently
Amount: AVS/AI/IPG contributions 5.3% employee (10.6% total with employer)
Period: System in force on 44 years men / 43 years women

The first pillar in the canton

Swiss social security is divided into three pillars: the first, federal and compulsory, is managed by the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS/BSV) in collaboration with the cantonal compensation funds. In the canton of Obvaldo, as in every Swiss canton, the cantonal compensation fund is responsible for collecting AVS/AI/IPG contributions, recognizing insurance periods and calculating the annuity.

The AVS system guarantees a basic pension to all policyholders who have paid regular contributions during their working life. The annuity is calculated on 44 years of contributions for men and 43 years for women. Any contribution gaps (years without payment or reduced payment) reduce the amount of the final annuity.

Contribution gaps and coverage

Gaps

Operational details

Calculation of the AVS pension and determining factors

The calculation of the AVS pension depends on four factors: the number of years insured, the average insured income, the retirement age, and the sex. The federal minimum pension is fixed, while the maximum is indexed according to the evolution of wages and prices. The UFA/BSV publishes new minimum and maximum amounts every year to maintain the purchasing power.

Regularly paid contributions are tracked by the cantonal compensation fund on an individual insurance account. Employers pay 5.3% of the salary as a dependent contribution, while employers pay an additional 5.3%, for a total of 10.6%. Freelancers pay 9.8% of their taxable income. A year is considered a year with a gap if the contributions paid are less than 10% of the annual maximum. It is essential to check your AVS insurance account at least every five years to identify errors or gaps, reporting discrepancies immediately to the compensation fund.

Minimum vital and complementary benefits

In the canton of Obwalden, as in all Swiss cantons, it is the responsibility of the cantonal administration to verify if an AVS pension is sufficient to cover the minimum vital. If not, complementary benefits (PC) integrate the pension until reaching the minimum threshold. The minimum vital varies from canton to canton, based on local living costs and cantonal social policies.

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Key points

How to Request Complementary Benefits

To request complementary benefits in the canton of Obvaldo, the first step is to submit a request to the competent cantonal office, usually the social security or social assistance office of the canton. The request must include: a copy of the AVS pension decision, the last three months' bank statement, documentation of medical and housing expenses, and a declaration of the assets and income of all members of the household.

The cantonal office has a legal deadline to examine the request, usually 30-45 days. During this period, it may request additional documentation. Once approved, the complementary benefits will take effect from the first day of the month in which the request was submitted, in some cases from an earlier date if there are specific reasons.

Check Your Account and Contacts

Before thinking about complementary benefits, it is advisable to check your AVS insurance account with the cantonal compensation fund of your canton. You can consult it online through the cantonal AVS portal or in person at the compensation office. If you find contributory gaps, report them immediately to the fund to check if they are due to administrative errors or if they can be filled with voluntary contributions.

The cantonal compensation fund provides free consultation on the calculation of projected pension (useful for planning retirement), the possibility of filling contributory gaps, and the modalities of requesting complementary benefits. Use the AVS pension calculator to get an accurate estimate based on the real data of your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cantonal clearing house?: The cantonal compensation fund is the body responsible for collecting AVS/AI/IPG contributions, maintaining individual insurance accounts and calculating the annuity. In the canton of Obvaldo, as in every Swiss canton, it operates under the supervision of the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS/BSV) and applies the same federal regulations.
How do I calculate my AVS annuity?: The AVS pension depends on the number of years of insurance, average income, retirement age and gender. You can get an estimate from the cantonal compensation fund by checking your insurance account online or by going to the office. The UFAS/BSV updates the minimum and maximum amounts each year according to wage and price developments.
What is the difference between AVS and complementary services?: The AVS is the first mandatory federal pillar and guarantees a minimum annuity calculated on years of contributions and income. The supplementary benefits (PC) are a cantonal intervention that supplements the AVS annuity until reaching the living minimum, if the annuity is insufficient. PCs are not automatic: they require a question and an assessment of the economic situation.
How do I apply for supplementary benefits in my canton?: Submit an application to the social security or welfare office in your canton. Attach the AVS annuity decision, statement of assets, recent bank statements and documentation of medical and housing expenses. The decision period is usually 30-45 days. The benefits start from the first day of the month of the application.
Can I fill in the contribution gaps in my AVS?: Yes, within certain time limits you can make voluntary contributions to the cantonal compensation fund to fill gaps. A gap represents a full year without paid contributions and reduces the final income. Check your insurance account at least every five years to identify any gaps. The clearinghouse provides free advice on how to fill them.