In addition, following the agreements between Switzerland and other European Union states, social security conventions existing between Switzerland and other EU member states have been replaced by the agreement on free movement of persons.
The Swiss welfare system is based on the system of three pillars (Art. 111 of the Feral Constitution) that guarantee your personal and professional security, in addition to your next of kin in case of retirement, disability and death.
It is mandatory, managed by the State and based on AVS (Assurance Vieillesse et Survivants - old age and survival insurance), AI (Assurance Invalidité - disability insurance) and additional benefits (prestations complémentaires - PC). For more information on those systems, you can consult our article on pensions. Its financing is based on distribution (active people pay for pensioners). The Confederation, the cantons, the VAT, the tax on alcohol and tabacco contributs also to financing the AVS, AI and PC.
It is also mandatory (only for people working in Switzerland and earning an annual salary of at least 25 320 CHF - 01/01/03), but is set as a professional welfare system. It is based on two laws:
This is a system of capital saving that maintains your standard of living for you and your next of kin in case of elderly age, disabitlity and survivals, linked with the first pillar.
This last pillar is optional and is for private needs: it intends to complete the cover of the 1st and 2nd pillars, and for tax optimisation purposes (it is possible to deduct the monthly payment from your taxable income). This is a saving system.