What is the compensation fund in the canton of Nidvaldo and what role does it play?

It is the cantonal administrative body in charge of managing AVS registrations, collecting contributions from employers and the self-employed, maintaining tax registers, calculating annuities and paying monthly payments to those entitled. In Nidvaldo, it operates under the mandate of the cantonal government and under the supervision of the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS/BSV). It is the single point of contact for all social security matters at cantonal level.

How exactly do I calculate the amount of my AVS annuity?

AVS income depends on two factors: (1) the average annual amount of contributions paid during working life (5.3% of salary for employees), and (2) the number of full contribution years. For a full annuity, you need 43 years of contribution. The cantonal clearing house calculates the exact amount at the time of the application and sends an annuity certificate. Contribution gaps proportionally reduce the final income.

At what age am I entitled to the AVS annuity in the canton of Nidvaldo?

Women are entitled to 64 years, men to 65 years (national rule, same in all cantons). It is possible to advance the annuity from the age of 62 (women) or 63 (men), but with a permanent reduction in the monthly annuity. There is also the possibility of postponing retirement up to 70 years, obtaining an increase in the pension.

What are the criteria for accessing supplementary benefits in my canton?

You must have an AVS annuity (and other pensions, if any) lower than the living minimum of the Nidvaldo canton (approximately CHF 2,000-2,500 per month, variable for individuals and couples), not have liquid assets over CHF 25,000-35,000, not have properties of excessive value, and be domiciled in the Nidvaldo at the time of the request. The application must be formally submitted to the cantonal clearing house with all the documentation.

Are supplementary benefits automatically paid to me every month or do I have to apply every year?

NO: it is not automatic. You only need to make a formal request once to the clearinghouse. However, benefits are reviewed annually (usually November-December) based on new income and equity data. If your economic situation changes, you must communicate it promptly (inheritance, real estate sale, new job). Failure to communicate changes may lead to the recovery of amounts unduly paid.

AVS and complementary services Canton Nidvaldo (cross-border guide)

Di Laura Bianchi · Published on 23 August 2026

Nidvwald cantonal compensation fund office with social security retirement and supplementary benefits documents

The first pillar in Nidvaldo: AVS, compensation fund, contribution gaps and complementary benefits to cover the minimum living wage.

Context

In a nutshell

The AVS is the first pillar of Swiss social security, mandatory for all residents and workers
Cantonal Compensation Fund manages enrollees, contributions and rent calculation at local level
Supplementary benefits cover the minimum life for those with insufficient AVS income
Employee contributions: 5.3% salary (10.6% total with employer)

Key facts

What: First pillar of Swiss Social Security (AVS) managed by Cantonal Compensation Fund
Who: Nidvaldo Compensation Fund, UFAS/BSV supervision (Federal Social Insurance Office)
Contributions: 5.3% of the gross salary for employees, mandatory payment during working life
Required years: 43 years of full contribution for full AVS annuity
Pension age: Women 64 years, men 65 years (national standard)
Complementary services: Bridging the gap between AVS income and cantonal minimum wage

In the canton of Nidvaldo, as in the whole of Switzerland, the social security system rests on three pillars. The first — Old Age and Survivors Insurance (AVS) — represents the foundation of social protection in the event of retirement, disability or death of the main income earner. The AVS operates at national level, coordinated by the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS/BSV). In the canton of Nidvaldo, the cantonal clearing house acts as an administrative point of contact: it manages registrations, collects contributions

Operational details

Complementary services: bridging the gap in the Nidvaldo canton

When the AVS pension is lower than the minimum living allowance (threshold set annually by each canton based on local living costs), the canton of domicile intervenes with the supplementary benefits. In the canton of Nidwald, as in the other Swiss cantons, supplementary benefits are financed jointly by the Federal State (50%) and the canton (50%). This mechanism ensures that those with a low retirement income do not run out of essential resources.

Supplementary benefits are not a generic or discretionary subsidy. They are calculated on a case-by-case basis based on:

AVS income actually paid monthly
Additional income (real estate rent, bank interest, casual work)
Liquid assets (bank accounts, securities) and real estate (owned houses)
Special medical and care expenses (medicines, therapies, hospital)
Housing situation (rent, property, custody of minors or people who are not self-sufficient)

Each factor is weighted according to specific federal and cantonal criteria. There is no one-size-fits-all formula: two people with identical AVS annuities can receive different supplemental benefit amounts if their wealth or medical expenses differ.

Who is entitled to supplementary benefits at Nidvaldo?

Access is NOT automatic when you start receiving your AVS pension. A formal request must be made at the cash register of

Useful planning tools

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

Key points

How to apply for supplementary benefits in the canton of Nidvaldo

The first step is to go directly to the cantonal clearing house of Nidvaldo, which operates on the joint mandate of the cantonal government and the UFAS/BSV. There is no parallel federal route: everything passes through the cantonal office.

Step 1: Collect the required documentation

Updated AVS annuity certificate (required at checkout, free of charge)
Federal and cantonal income tax returns for the last two years
Recent bank statement (last 3 months) to certify liquid assets
Real estate cadastral certificate and appraisal (if homeowner)
Receipts of relevant medical expenses (drugs, therapies, hospital) if higher than CHF 2,500 per year
Certificate of domicile (copy of identity card or extract from the civil registry)

Step 2: Fill in the cantonal application form The cantonal clearing house provides the official application form (available both at the counter and on the site of the cantonal administration Nidvaldo). There is no single federal form for all regions: each canton has its own, although the content and structure are essentially the same. The form must be completed in all its parts, with truthful statements and signed personally.

Step 3: Submit the request to the competent office The application must be submitted in person to the cantonal clearing house counter

Plan your cross-border pension: calculate AVS, second pillar and INPS coordination to avoid retirement surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the compensation fund in the canton of Nidvaldo and what role does it play?: It is the cantonal administrative body in charge of managing AVS registrations, collecting contributions from employers and the self-employed, maintaining tax registers, calculating annuities and paying monthly payments to those entitled. In Nidvaldo, it operates under the mandate of the cantonal government and under the supervision of the Federal Office of Social Insurance (UFAS/BSV). It is the single point of contact for all social security matters at cantonal level.
How exactly do I calculate the amount of my AVS annuity?: AVS income depends on two factors: (1) the average annual amount of contributions paid during working life (5.3% of salary for employees), and (2) the number of full contribution years. For a full annuity, you need 43 years of contribution. The cantonal clearing house calculates the exact amount at the time of the application and sends an annuity certificate. Contribution gaps proportionally reduce the final income.
At what age am I entitled to the AVS annuity in the canton of Nidvaldo?: Women are entitled to 64 years, men to 65 years (national rule, same in all cantons). It is possible to advance the annuity from the age of 62 (women) or 63 (men), but with a permanent reduction in the monthly annuity. There is also the possibility of postponing retirement up to 70 years, obtaining an increase in the pension.
What are the criteria for accessing supplementary benefits in my canton?: You must have an AVS annuity (and other pensions, if any) lower than the living minimum of the Nidvaldo canton (approximately CHF 2,000-2,500 per month, variable for individuals and couples), not have liquid assets over CHF 25,000-35,000, not have properties of excessive value, and be domiciled in the Nidvaldo at the time of the request. The application must be formally submitted to the cantonal clearing house with all the documentation.
Are supplementary benefits automatically paid to me every month or do I have to apply every year?: NO: it is not automatic. You only need to make a formal request once to the clearinghouse. However, benefits are reviewed annually (usually November-December) based on new income and equity data. If your economic situation changes, you must communicate it promptly (inheritance, real estate sale, new job). Failure to communicate changes may lead to the recovery of amounts unduly paid.