What exactly are complementary services?

The supplementary benefits (PC) are a cantonal integration of the AVS income paid when the first pillar does not cover the minimum living limit set by the canton. They cover rent, food, compulsory health insurance (LAMal) and medical care. They are an unconditional right for those with insufficient incomes, not a loan to be repaid. Each canton — including Zurich — dispenses PCs according to its own criteria, but the federal principle is uniform.

How are contribution years calculated in the event of gaps?

Each year of payment of AVS/AI/IPG contributions (5.3% employee, 5.3% employer) counts as a full contribution year. Periods of sickness covered by LAMal, insured unemployment, education of children up to 3 years and maternity are credited automatically. Gaps not covered by these credits reduce the years used in the calculation of the annuity, proportionally.

At what age does the AVS annuity begin?

Starting from the federal reference age — currently 65 in Switzerland for everyone (uniform national standard). The application must be submitted 3-4 months before the scheduled date. The first payment is made on the first day of the month following the birthday. To check the exact date in your case, consult the compensation fund.

If I have long gaps, can I make them up?

Gaps not covered by legal accreditations cannot be “eliminated”, but can be redeemed in some specific cases (periods of uninsured self-employment, periods abroad for Swiss citizens). Redemption is optional and paid. Check with your clearinghouse to see if any gaps in your file are redeemable and what the cost is.

When do I need to apply for supplementary benefits?

At any time after receiving the decision on the AVS annuity. There is no deadline, but the right starts from the first day of the month in which the application is submitted (not retroactive). It is advisable to file immediately if the annuity is lower than the living minimum, so as not to lose months of integration.

AVS and complementary in Zurich: a guide to the bare minimum (cross-border guide)

Di Laura Bianchi · Published on 21 August 2026

Swiss pension advisory: AVS retirement benefits and supplementary benefits consultation at cantonal compensation fund

In the canton of Zurich, the compensation fund calculates the AVS annuity and intervenes with complementary benefits if the first pillar does not cover the vital minimum.

Context

In a nutshell

First pillar AVS: 5.3% contributions for employees (10.6% with employer)
Contribution gaps: filled by complementary cantonal benefits
Compensation fund: calculates annuity and verifies entitlement
Minimum living: covered by canton Zurich integration if necessary

Key facts

What: AVS income + complementary services in the canton of Zurich
Who: Cantonal Clearing House Zurich, UFAS/BSV (federal)
When: From 65 years (reference age Switzerland)
Where: Canton Zurich, with federal and cantonal competences
Base: Contributions paid + legal accreditations (sickness, unemployment, education of children)

In the canton of Zurich, the first pillar of social security guarantees every resident who reaches the reference age a basic income calculated by the cantonal compensation fund. This income depends on the number of contributory years and the average income of the professional career. The contributions paid during work — 5.3% paid by the employee and 5.3% paid by the employer (total 10.6%) — finance the AVS/AI/IPG system at the federal level, but it is the local cashier who organizes the calculation and monthly disbursement.

However, not everyone has a full contributory career. Contribution gaps — periods of non-payment due to unemployment, illness, child rearing or other causes — automatically reduce the amount of the pension. If this annuity falls below the vital minimum

Operational details

How AVS Rent Calculation Works

Each contribution year registered with the compensation fund is worth one year for income purposes. It is not enough to have worked physically: Swiss law credits periods of absence from work covered by insurance as "contributory years". Specifically, the following are accredited:

Periods of insured sickness (covered by LAMal compulsory sickness insurance)
Periods of unemployment (if enrolled in unemployment insurance and paid regular contributions)
Education of children up to 3 years of age
Maternity periods (14 weeks at 80% covered by IPG)
Some periods of care for dependent family members

Gaps NOT covered by these credits reduce the number of contribution years used for the calculation, and therefore proportionally decrease the monthly income. For example, a person who has paid regular contributions for 40 years but has a gap of 5 years without accreditation will see the annuity calculated as if they were 40 years old out of 44 years of theoretical career.

Complementary services and minimum life expectancy in Zurich

If the calculated AVS annuity — even considering all possible accreditations — does not reach the living minimum set by the canton, the cantonal finance service (usually in coordination with the office of the municipality of residence) provides supplementary benefits. This integration covers:

Rent/mortgage installment (up to a ceiling set by the canton)

Useful planning tools

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

Key points

Procedure for applying for the AVS annuity in Zurich

The AVS pension is paid automatically from the first day of the month following reaching the reference age, provided that an application is formally submitted. The procedure is:

1. Cash register — If you have paid contributions while working, you are already registered automatically. Verify your file by consulting the [nav:pension AVS statement] of your cantonal office online.

2. Quote 6 months before — Contact the Zurich Compensation Fund 6 months before the expected start date of the annuity. Request the estimate by providing income and career documents.

3. Formal application 3-4 months in advance — File an official application at the register using the federal form (available online). Attach identity documents and income statements.

4. Decision and first payment — The cashier communicates the confirmed monthly amount. The first payment is made on the first day of the month following the birthday.

Request for supplementary services

Supplementary benefits are NOT granted automatically: they must be requested explicitly from the competent service of your municipality of residence in the canton of Zurich, or directly from the regional cantonal finance office. The procedure is:

1. Collect Documents — AVS Decision Copy, Lease Agreement, Latest Bank Statements, Statements

For a precise net salary calculation, use our tax comparator: compare take-home pay between G and B permits with all 2026 deductions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are complementary services?: The supplementary benefits (PC) are a cantonal integration of the AVS income paid when the first pillar does not cover the minimum living limit set by the canton. They cover rent, food, compulsory health insurance (LAMal) and medical care. They are an unconditional right for those with insufficient incomes, not a loan to be repaid. Each canton — including Zurich — dispenses PCs according to its own criteria, but the federal principle is uniform.
How are contribution years calculated in the event of gaps?: Each year of payment of AVS/AI/IPG contributions (5.3% employee, 5.3% employer) counts as a full contribution year. Periods of sickness covered by LAMal, insured unemployment, education of children up to 3 years and maternity are credited automatically. Gaps not covered by these credits reduce the years used in the calculation of the annuity, proportionally.
At what age does the AVS annuity begin?: Starting from the federal reference age — currently 65 in Switzerland for everyone (uniform national standard). The application must be submitted 3-4 months before the scheduled date. The first payment is made on the first day of the month following the birthday. To check the exact date in your case, consult the compensation fund.
If I have long gaps, can I make them up?: Gaps not covered by legal accreditations cannot be “eliminated”, but can be redeemed in some specific cases (periods of uninsured self-employment, periods abroad for Swiss citizens). Redemption is optional and paid. Check with your clearinghouse to see if any gaps in your file are redeemable and what the cost is.
When do I need to apply for supplementary benefits?: At any time after receiving the decision on the AVS annuity. There is no deadline, but the right starts from the first day of the month in which the application is submitted (not retroactive). It is advisable to file immediately if the annuity is lower than the living minimum, so as not to lose months of integration.