Deferment of AHV Pension: What Impact Will It Have on Your Retirement?

Deferment of AHV Pension: What Impact Will It Have on Your Retirement?
In Switzerland, you can defer your AHV pension for up to five years after the reference age. This strategy can increase the amount of your future pension, but it's not for everyone. Let's find out the advantages, conditions and points to watch out for, to find out if deferment is a good idea in 2025.

What is a deferment of AHV pension?

Deferring the AHV pension means postponing voluntarily the moment when one starts receiving the old-age pension after reaching the legal retirement age, set at 65 years for both women (progressively) and men. This deferment can last between 1 and 5 years. In return for this delay, the pension is increased on a permanent basis: the longer the deferment, the greater the supplement granted.

AHV 2025 figures

  • The maximum AHV pension is CHF 2,520 / month
  • The minimum AHV pension is CHF 1,260 / months
  • The maximum determining average annual income is CHF 90,720

What increase am I entitled to if my pension is deferred?

  • Increase (%) in case of postponed retirement of :
  • Years
  • Month
  • 0-2
  • 3-5
  • 6-8
  • 9-11
  • 1
  • 5.2
  • 6.6
  • 8.0
  • 9.4
  • 2
  • 10.8
  • 12.3
  • 13.9
  • 15.5
  • 3
  • 17.1
  • 18.8
  • 20.5
  • 22.2
  • 4
  • 24.0
  • 25.8
  • 27.7
  • 29.6
  • 5
  • 31.5

Example of deferred collection

A policyholder reaches retirement age in January 2025 and would be entitled to an AHV pension of CHF 2,016 per month. However, she decides to defer her pension by 2 years.

In January 2027, when she starts receiving her pension, it is increased by 10.8 %.

  • Her new monthly pension therefore amounts to CHF 2,233 instead of CHF 2,016.

Can I partially defer my pension?

The AHV allows you to defer not only the entire pension, but also a portion of the old-age pension. You can therefore choose to postpone between 20% and 80% of your pension, either in francs or as a percentage.

This flexibility makes it possible to receive part of the pension immediately to cover one’s needs, while increasing the remaining amount through deferment. It should be noted, however, that it is possible to reduce the deferred portion only once, but never to increase it.

It is also possible to anticipate and defer the pension at the same time.

How do I request a postponement?

To benefit from a deferment, you must inform your compensation office within the year that follows the reference age. This procedure is carried out using the official old-age pension application form, on which you simply need to indicate clearly that you wish to postpone the payment.

We strongly advise you to send your request by registered mail, and to keep a copy for your records in case of dispute. In the absence of timely notification, the pension will simply be paid out retroactively, without any deferral supplement.

At the time of filing, it is not necessary to specify the duration of the deferment. Once the minimum one-year period has elapsed, the annuity can be claimed at any time by completing the deferment revocation form. Payment is generally made in the month following the request.

Do you want to plan your retirement with peace of mind and be sure not to leave anything to chance? Book an appointment free of charge to review your situation and needs.

Table of contents

On the same subject