What is the difference between AVS and complementary services?

The AVS is a mandatory pension paid during working life: each contribution (5.3% for the employee, 10.6% total) is recorded and converted into a pension on retirement. The complementary benefits are an integration guaranteed by the canton and municipalities, intended for those with an AVS income insufficient to cover the minimum living (rent, food, energy). Not all retirees receive PCs: only those who are entitled to them according to the income and wealth criteria defined by federal law.

How do I verify my individual AVS account at the Zurich Clearing House?

You can verify your individual account directly at the Cassa di Compensazione Zurighese (CVZ), in person at their branches, or online via the portal made available by the Cassa and the federal AVS system. It is advisable to do this at least every 5-10 years, or when your work situation changes, and always before retirement, to identify any gaps and have time to correct them. If you notice errors or missing deposits, you can report them directly to the CVZ.

Can I fill the contribution gaps with voluntary payments?

Yes, you can make voluntary contributions to the Zurich Cantonal Compensation Fund until you reach retirement age. Voluntary payments have annual limits set by the UFAS/BSV (Federal Office of Social Insurance) and must be made within the deadlines indicated by the fund. Each year of voluntary payment increases your final AVS annuity. It is important to inquire with the CVZ about the maximum annual amounts and payment deadlines.

What documents are required to apply for supplementary services in Zurich?

To apply for PCs in the Canton of Zurich you need: copy of the AVS annuity decision, complete list of all other annuities (LPP, occupational pensions, family allowances), declaration of personal assets (bank accounts, real estate, investments), recent bank statement, and if you are a tenant, the lease agreement and the receipt of the last rent. The request is submitted to your municipality of residence, in the Social Affairs or Social Benefits sector. The procedure is free.

How long does it take to get supplemental performance approved?

PC application processing in the Canton of Zurich typically takes 4-8 weeks. During this period, the cantonal and municipal administration verifies the documents provided and calculates the amount of the monthly benefit. Once approved, PCs are disbursed monthly along with the AVS annuity. For those who are about to reach retirement age, it is advisable to submit the PC application together with the AVS pension application, to avoid delays in payment.

AVS and complementary services in Zurich (cross-border guide)

Di Laura Bianchi · Published on 21 August 2026

Insurance office interior in Zurich with AVS pension documents and compensation fund paperwork on desk

Compensation fund, AVH annuity and supplementary benefits in the Canton of Zurich. Complete guide to the first pillar: calculation, contribution gaps, vital minimum.

Context

In brief

The Zurich cantonal compensation fund manages the AVS contributions of workers and employers
The first pillar covers employees and self-employed with fixed federal rates
Complementary benefits fill the contribution gaps to ensure a minimum vital

Key facts

What: Mandatory social security system in the Canton of Zurich
Where: Zurich cantonal compensation fund (CVZ)
Who: All residents and employed and self-employed workers in Zurich
AVS rate: 5.3% for the employee, 10.6% total (employer + employee)
Function: Calculation of the pension and coverage of gaps through complementary benefits

The first pillar in the Canton of Zurich

In the Canton of Zurich, the cantonal compensation fund manages the first pillar (AVS/AI) for resident population and employed and self-employed workers. The fund acts as an intermediary between the payers and the state, ensuring that contributions are recorded correctly and that pensions are calculated based on the contribution history of each insured person.

The first pillar is a mandatory system: anyone working in Switzerland automatically pays contributions from their salary. For employees, the rate is 5.3% on gross salary, while the employer pays an additional 5.3%, for a total of 10.6%. Self-employed individuals pay 9.8% based on income. These contributions finance both old-age insurance (AVS) and disability insurance (AI) and the unemployment benefit fund.

…

Operational details

What are contribution gaps and how are they identified

A contribution gap is a year in which a person has paid less than the AVS contribution ceiling, or has not paid at all. As a hypothetical example, if a person has stopped work for an entire year without payouts, thatyear will be recorded as a total gap in the individual account. If, on the other hand, you have worked for only six months, the gap will be partial.

The individual account is the central document of each insured: it contains the record of all contributions paid year by year, from the first day of work until retirement. Each person has the right to check their individual account with the cantonal clearing house in Zurich, on a regular basis (typically every 5-10 years, or upon informal request).

In the Canton of Zurich, it is possible to consult the individual account directly with the CVZ (Cassa di Compensazione Zurichese) in person, or through the online portal made available by the Cassa and the federal system. It is important to check your account at least a few years before retirement, to identify any gaps and have time to correct them or plan a voluntary payment strategy. If you discover an error or missing contribution, you can report it directly to the CVZ and initiate an administrative correction.

Complementary services: when they intervene and how

The performance

Useful planning tools

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

Key points

How to Access Complementary Benefits: Practical Procedure

In the Canton of Zurich, the request for complementary benefits is generally presented at the local municipality of residence, in the

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between AVS and complementary services?: The AVS is a mandatory pension paid during working life: each contribution (5.3% for the employee, 10.6% total) is recorded and converted into a pension on retirement. The complementary benefits are an integration guaranteed by the canton and municipalities, intended for those with an AVS income insufficient to cover the minimum living (rent, food, energy). Not all retirees receive PCs: only those who are entitled to them according to the income and wealth criteria defined by federal law.
How do I verify my individual AVS account at the Zurich Clearing House?: You can verify your individual account directly at the Cassa di Compensazione Zurighese (CVZ), in person at their branches, or online via the portal made available by the Cassa and the federal AVS system. It is advisable to do this at least every 5-10 years, or when your work situation changes, and always before retirement, to identify any gaps and have time to correct them. If you notice errors or missing deposits, you can report them directly to the CVZ.
Can I fill the contribution gaps with voluntary payments?: Yes, you can make voluntary contributions to the Zurich Cantonal Compensation Fund until you reach retirement age. Voluntary payments have annual limits set by the UFAS/BSV (Federal Office of Social Insurance) and must be made within the deadlines indicated by the fund. Each year of voluntary payment increases your final AVS annuity. It is important to inquire with the CVZ about the maximum annual amounts and payment deadlines.
What documents are required to apply for supplementary services in Zurich?: To apply for PCs in the Canton of Zurich you need: copy of the AVS annuity decision, complete list of all other annuities (LPP, occupational pensions, family allowances), declaration of personal assets (bank accounts, real estate, investments), recent bank statement, and if you are a tenant, the lease agreement and the receipt of the last rent. The request is submitted to your municipality of residence, in the Social Affairs or Social Benefits sector. The procedure is free.
How long does it take to get supplemental performance approved?: PC application processing in the Canton of Zurich typically takes 4-8 weeks. During this period, the cantonal and municipal administration verifies the documents provided and calculates the amount of the monthly benefit. Once approved, PCs are disbursed monthly along with the AVS annuity. For those who are about to reach retirement age, it is advisable to submit the PC application together with the AVS pension application, to avoid delays in payment.