AVS and AI: digital files for policyholders arrive (cross-border guide)

The new law on social insurance information systems has been approved. Digital access to AVS and AI data arrives with estimated annual savings of 35 million.
Context
In brief
- New law on social information systems approved
- Estimated savings of 35 million francs per year
- Implementation expected by 2028 at the earliest
- Optional use and electronic authentication
Key facts
- Legislative body: Council of States
- Total savings: 35 million francs per year
- Postal expense savings: 25 million francs
- Estimated launch date: 2028 at the earliest
The Council of States has approved the new law on social insurance information systems, a measure that will in future allow insured persons to consult their Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AVS) and Disability Insurance (AI) files in digital format. Following this institutional step, the legislative dossier now returns to the National Council due to some minor divergences that emerged during the parliamentary process. According to the Federal Council's intentions, the entire technological and organizational project should see the light of day in 2028 at the earliest, marking a significant turning point in the management of social security information at the federal level. Currently, anyone wishing to obtain detailed information on their first pillar must instead wait several weeks before receiving a response from the competent offices. The exchange of data relating to these specific insurances is not automated, and institutional communication still relies heavily on the use of paper documents or PDF formats, significantly slowing down daily administrative procedures for resident citizens.
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Operational details
The digital transformation of the OASI and IV will entail a significant economic and organizational impact for the entire Swiss social security system. According to the official estimates presented, the standardized exchange of electronic data will generate total savings of 35 million francs per year. A major share of this figure, quantified at 25 million francs, will stem directly from the drastic reduction in postal expenses related to sending paper communications, statements, and administrative correspondence between institutions and insured persons. This optimization of public resources will help ease management costs and reinvest the operating margin into the efficiency of welfare services.
New functions for citizens
In addition to the economic advantage and speed of response, digitalization will offer insured persons practical tools for direct control over their pension status. Thanks to the new centralized and digital platform, citizens will be able to provisionally calculate their OASI pension directly from home, verify in real time whether there are contribution gaps in their employment history, or precisely check whether their respective employers have correctly paid the mandatory social security contributions. This is a step forward toward transparency and autonomy in the management of public welfare, which reduces the need for intermediaries or prolonged formal requests to obtain an updated picture of one's contribution situation in Switzerland.
Useful planning tools
To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.
Key points
Access to the future digital platform will be structured according to criteria of flexibility and security to ensure the protection of the personal data of policyholders. The use of the online portal will remain entirely optional for citizens, who will be able to freely choose whether to use digital services or maintain traditional channels. Access will only require authentication using an electronic identity officially recognized by the Federal Government, guaranteeing high standards of cybersecurity and privacy. On the other hand, the executive bodies and social insurers will have a strict legal obligation to communicate with each other exclusively by electronic means, eliminating procedural shadow areas.
Deadlines and planning tools
With the time horizon set at 2028 for the final launch of the project by the Federal Council, citizens have the opportunity to constantly monitor their social security situation in view of future regulatory and technological changes. To deepen your pension planning and calculate your personal financial projections in Switzerland, you can consult the dedicated tools available online.
To better plan your pension and check your contribution status, use the calcolatore stipendio now.
Source: tio.ch
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will digital access to AVS and AI data be available?
- In the intentions of the Federal Council, the project for digital access to the AVH and AI files should see the light of day as soon as possible during 2028, following the approval of the new law.
- What will be the economic savings generated by digitization?
- The standardized exchange of electronic data will lead to total savings estimated at CHF 35 million per year. Of this sum, as much as 25 million francs will derive directly from the cut in postal expenses.
- Will the use of the new digital platform be mandatory for policyholders?
- No, for policyholders the use of the platform will remain optional. Access will only require authentication through an electronic identity recognised by the Government, while for executive bodies and insurers the obligation of electronic communication will be binding.