Why Do Some People in Switzerland Work Beyond the Age of 65?
Svájcban 65 év felett is lehet dolgozni, mivel a referenciakor nem jelent kötelező nyugdíjba vonulást. Az érintett AHV-nyugdíj mellett munkabért is kaphat, vagy elhalaszthatja a nyugdíj folyósítását. A továbbdolgozás kiegészítheti a jövedelmet, bizonyos feltételek mellett hatással lehet a későbbi AHV-nyugdíjra, és sokak számára a szakmai aktivitás, a kapcsolatok vagy az önmegvalósítás miatt fontos.
What does working over the age of 65 mean in Switzerland?
In the Swiss system, reaching the reference age (Referenzalter, formerly Rentenalter) does not mean that a person must stop working. Those who wish to continue their gainful activity may do so.
In practice, this means that a person can receive AHV pensionand earn a salary at the same time, or choose to defer the start of their pension and continue working full time.
This can also be seen in everyday life in Zürich: restaurateurs, coaches, actors and people in many other professions remain active after turning 65, partly for financial reasons and partly for personal motivation.
What will the official retirement age (Referenzalter) be in Switzerland in 2026?
In 2026, the reference age for men will be 65, while for women born in 1962 it will be 64 years and 6 months. The reference age for women is increasing gradually.
Following the AHV 21 reform, the reference age will be uniformly 65 for both sexes by 2028.
It is important to understand that the “reference age” is not a sharp dividing line between work and retirement, but rather a point of reference: compared with it, a person may retire earlier or later, or continue working.
Group | Reference age in 2026 |
|---|---|
Men | 65 years |
Women born in 1962 | 64 years 6 months |
Both sexes from 2028 | 65 years |
Why do some people continue working?
There is rarely a single reason behind continuing to work — it is generally a combination of financial, financial-planning and personal considerations.
Additional income. In many cases, the AHV pension alone does not cover a person’s accustomed standard of living, particularly the alongside high Swiss housing and health insurance costs. Wages supplement the pension.
Opportunity to increase the pension. Continuing to pay contributions after the reference age may, under certain conditions, contribute to a higher AHV pension later on. This may be of interest to people with incomplete contribution years.
Flexibility and deferral. Those who do not immediately need their pension can defer its commencement (Rentenaufschub), which may result in a higher monthly pension.
Personal and social reasons. The examples from Zürich clearly demonstrate this: for many people, work provides daily structure, human connections and a sense of fulfilment. For a restaurateur, coach or actor, their profession is part of their identity.
What contribution and tax rules apply to working beyond retirement age?
People who work beyond the reference age continue to pay social security contributions on their wages, but the system takes into account that they have already reached retirement age.
One key concept is the contribution-free threshold (Freibetrag für erwerbstätige Altersrentner): earners of retirement age may be exempt from certain contributions up to a specified income threshold. Its exact amount and conditions are set out in the official AHV information.
Taxation of wages also continues: income from employment remains taxable, and the tax rules that vary by canton continue to apply.
This is an important warning: in Switzerland, the details of tax and contribution rules vary by canton and individual circumstances, so individual figures should always be checked with the compensation office responsible for the place of residence (for example, SVA Zürich or SVA St. Gallen).
How can continuing to work, paying contributions and deferring the pension increase the AHV pension?
Three mechanisms may play a role: additional contribution payments, recalculation of the pension (Neuberechnung der Altersrente) and pension deferral (Rentenaufschub).
Contributions paid after the reference age may be taken into account under certain conditions and can also serve to make up earlier incomplete years, leading to a recalculation of the pension.
Deferral means that a person begins receiving their pension not at the reference age but later. In return, the monthly pension may be higher.
These decisions are complex, and the outcome varies from person to person. The official AHV information service (Informationsstelle AHV/IV) and the local compensation office can carry out the specific calculation.
Why do many people remain active in the Swiss labour market after the age of 65?
The structure of the Swiss labour market and the demographic situation both encourage the retention of experienced workers. Many sectors are facing a shortage of skilled professionals.
For employers, experienced employees above retirement age are a valuable resource, particularly in hospitality, education and professional services.
The examples from Zürich — a restaurateur, coach and actor — also show that continuing to work is often not a necessity but a conscious choice linked to professional identity and an active lifestyle.
When will the first 13th AHV pension be paid?
The 13th AHV pension (13. AHV-Rente) is one of the most significant Swiss social policy topics of recent years. It is an additional annual payment for pensioners.
The details of its introduction — including the exact timing, payment method and scope of eligible recipients — will be communicated through official AHV channels and may also vary from person to person. For this reason, eligibility should always be confirmed with the compensation fund responsible for the person’s place of residence.
The Swiss pension system is also continuously evolving: further changes and incentives relating to work after retirement age may arise as part of the AHV 2030 reform.
What should Hungarians living in Switzerland check in advance?
Hungarians living in Switzerland or planning to move there should clarify several specific issues in good time, as pensions are a cross-border matter.
Record of contribution years. It is important to check that all years of Swiss AHV contributions have been recorded correctly, as missing years may reduce the pension payable later.
Hungarian–Swiss pension coordination. Anyone who has also accrued insurance periods in Hungary may be affected by the aggregation of the Hungarian and Swiss pension systems when determining their total pension. The Hungarian pension authority provides information about periods completed in Hungary, while the compensation fund provides information about Swiss periods.
Taxation and place of residence. The Hungarian–Swiss Double Taxation Agreement and the cantonal tax rules applicable in the place of residence jointly determine how the pension and earnings from work after retirement age are taxed.
Considering deferral or continuing to work. Anyone considering deferring their pension or working after retirement age should request a personalised official calculation in advance.
Important: official Swiss information is required for individual cases
This article is intended as general guidance. The retirement age, contributions, deferral and the specific amounts and conditions of the 13th payment vary from person to person and from canton to canton.
For individual cases, the compensation fund responsible for the person’s place of residence (for example, SVA Zürich or SVA St. Gallen), Informationsstelle AHV/IV or the Bundesamt für Sozialversicherungen (BSV) provides binding official information.
Sources
ahv-iv.ch — https://www.ahv-iv.ch/p/3.01.d
ahv-iv.ch — https://www.ahv-iv.ch/de/Sozialversicherungen/Glossar/term/freibetrag-fuer-erwerbstaetige-rentner-innen
nzz.ch — https://www.nzz.ch/zuerich/arbeiten-mit-ue65-in-zuerich-ein-beizer-eine-coach-und-ein-schauspieler-erzaehlen-ld.10017734
bilanz.ch — https://www.bilanz.ch/unternehmen/schweizer-rentensystem-huerden-fuer-arbeiten-nach-65-jahren/kc4bbh1
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In Brief
In Switzerland, reaching the reference age does not mean that working must come to an end: after 65, it is possible to work while receiving an AHV pension, or to defer the pension. Continuing to work may be motivated by financial, pension-planning or personal reasons, while the specific contribution and tax conditions vary by canton and individual circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Check whether all AHV contribution years are correctly recorded in the register.
- Before continuing to work or deferring your pension, request a personalised official calculation from the compensation fund responsible for your place of residence.
- Bear in mind that income from work after the reference age remains taxable, while the detailed rules may vary by canton.
- Determine whether paying contributions after the reference age and recalculating the pension could improve your individual AHV pension.
- If you have insurance periods in Hungary, clarify the details of Hungarian–Swiss pension coordination with the Hungarian pension authority and the Swiss compensation fund.
- Confirm the details concerning the 13th AHV pension payment and individual eligibility through official AHV channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is retirement compulsory in Switzerland upon reaching the reference age?
No. The reference age is a benchmark relating to retirement, not a mandatory end to employment. Anyone who wishes may continue working and receive an AHV pension alongside their employment income.
What is the Swiss reference age in 2026?
In 2026, the reference age for men is 65. For women born in 1962, it is 64 years and 6 months, and the reference age for women is gradually increasing; from 2028, it will be 65 for both sexes.
Why do some people in Switzerland continue working beyond the age of 65?
Reasons may include supplementing the AHV pension, the possibility of increasing the pension later, or making up for incomplete contribution years. For many people, work is also part of their daily structure, social connections and professional identity.
Can you receive an AHV pension and employment income at the same time in Switzerland?
Yes. After reaching the reference age, a person may continue working while receiving an AHV pension. Anyone who does not begin receiving the pension immediately may also choose to defer it.
Can continuing to work increase the Swiss AHV pension?
Under certain conditions, contributions paid after the reference age may be taken into account and can also help make up for incomplete contribution years. Deferring the pension may likewise result in a higher monthly pension, but the individual impact must be determined through an official calculation.
What tax and contribution rules apply to work beyond the reference age?
Employment income remains taxable, and people working beyond the reference age may continue to pay social security contributions. Pension-age earners may benefit from a contribution-exempt allowance up to a certain income threshold; the precise conditions are set out in official AHV information.
What should Hungarians living in Switzerland check?
It is advisable to verify the AHV contribution years and clarify the coordination between insurance periods in Hungary and the Swiss pension system. For details concerning the pension, employment income after the reference age and taxation, guidance is available from the Swiss compensation fund responsible for your place of residence, the Hungarian pension authority and official AHV information.
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