Annuities in Switzerland

Switzerland's pension system has attracted considerable attention, mainly due to its reliance on a three-pillar structure. A relatively small pay-as-you-go system (first pillar) is complemented by a mandatory, employer-based, fully funded occu...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bütler, Monika, Ruesch, Martin
Format: Policy Research Working Paper
Language:English
Published: World Bank, Washington, DC 2012
Subjects:
TAX
Online Access:http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2007/12/8877327/annuities-switzerland
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/7567
id okr-10986-7567
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
topic ACCOUNTING
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
ADDITIONAL INCOME
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS
ADDITIONAL PENSION
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
AMOUNT OF MONEY
ANNUAL WAGE
ASSET ALLOCATION
ASSET MANAGEMENT
AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION
AVERAGE PENSION
AVERAGE PENSIONS
AVERAGE WAGE
AVERAGE WAGES
BANK PRODUCTS
BANKS
BENEFICIARIES
BENEFIT PLAN
BENEFIT PLANS
BEQUEST
BOND
BONDS
BUSINESS CYCLE
CALCULATION
CALCULATIONS
CAPITAL MARKET
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
CAPITAL STOCK
CASH FLOWS
CHILD CARE
CLAIMANT
CONSOLIDATION PROCESS
CONTRIBUTION
CONTRIBUTION RATE
CONTRIBUTION RATES
CONTRIBUTION SCHEMES
CONTRIBUTIONS
CREDIT BALANCE
CREDIT BALANCES
CREDITS
CURRENT PRICES
CURRENT RATE
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION
DEGREE OF RISK
DEGREES OF RISK
DEPENDANTS
DIFFERENT INTEREST RATE
DIFFERENT INTEREST RATES
DISABILITIES
DISABILITY
DISABILITY BENEFITS
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISABILITY PENSION
DISABILITY PENSIONS
DISCOUNT RATE
DISCOUNT RATES
DIVORCE
EARLY RETIREMENT
EARNINGS
EXPENDITURES
FAIR VALUATION
FEMALE WORKERS
FINANCIAL ASSETS
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
FINANCIAL HEALTH
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL POLICY
FINANCIAL SITUATION
FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
FIXED INCOME
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS
FREE ASSETS
FUND MANAGERS
GOVERNMENT BOND
GOVERNMENT REVENUES
GROSS INCOME
GUARANTEE FUND
HEALTH INSURANCE
INCOME
INCOME GROUPS
INCOME INCREASE
INCOME LEVELS
INCOME SOURCE
INCOME STREAM
INDIVIDUAL PENSION
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
INFLATION
INSURANCE COMPANY
INTEREST RATE
INTEREST RATES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT REGULATIONS
LABOR FORCE
LABOR MARKET
LIABILITY
LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
LIFE EXPECTANCY
LIFE INSURANCE
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES
LIFETIME
LIVING COSTS
LIVING STANDARD
LONG-TERM PROJECTIONS
LOW COST
LOW INCOME
LOW-INCOME
LOW-INCOME WORKERS
LOWER INTEREST RATE
LOW­INCOME
LUMP SUM
LUMP SUMS
MARGINAL UTILITY OF CONSUMPTION
MARKET CONDITIONS
MARKET DEVELOPMENTS
MARKET INTEREST RATES
MARKET RETURNS
MARKET RISKS
MARKETING
MARRIED COUPLE
MARRIED COUPLES
MARRIED WOMEN
MATURITY
MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION
MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION RATES
MINIMUM BENEFIT
MINIMUM BENEFITS
MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION
MINIMUM PENSION
MINIMUM RATE OF RETURN
MONTHLY INCOME
MONTHLY INCOMES
MORTGAGE
MORTGAGE PAYMENTS
NOMINAL YIELD
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEME
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS
OCCUPATIONAL PLANS
OLD-AGE PENSION
OLDER WORKERS
PENSION
PENSION BENEFIT
PENSION BENEFITS
PENSION COMPANIES
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLAN
PENSION PLANS
PENSION PROVIDER
PENSION PROVIDERS
PENSION REFORMS
PENSION SYSTEM
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONERS
PENSIONS
POVERTY RATE
PRESENT VALUE
PRIVATE PENSION
PUBLIC PENSION
PUBLIC PENSION SCHEME
REAL ESTATE
RECESSION
REFERENDUM
REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
REPLACEMENT RATE
REPLACEMENT RATES
RESERVES
RESPONSIBILITIES
RETIRED
RETIRED INDIVIDUAL
RETIRED INDIVIDUALS
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT AGE
RETIREMENT AGES
RETIREMENT ASSETS
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RETIREMENT DECISION
RETIREMENT DECISIONS
RETIREMENT INCOME
RETIREMENT INCOMES
RETIREMENT PLANS
RETIREMENT PRODUCTS
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
RETURNS
RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
RISK PREMIUM
SAFETY NET
SALARY
SAVINGS
SAVINGS INSTRUMENTS
SMALL EMPLOYERS
SOCIAL INSURANCE
SOCIAL INSURANCES
SOCIAL SECURITY
SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS
SUPERVISION OF PENSION FUNDS
TAKE-UP RATE
TAKE-UP RATES
TAX
TAX ADVANTAGE
TAX RATE
TAX TREATMENT
TRANSPARENCY
TRUST FUND
TRUST­FUND
UNEMPLOYMENT
VALUATION
VALUE OF PENSION
WAGE GROWTH
WAGES
WITHDRAWAL
WORK FORCE
WORTH
YIELD CURVES
YOUNGER WORKERS
ZERO COUPON
spellingShingle ACCOUNTING
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
ADDITIONAL INCOME
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS
ADDITIONAL PENSION
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
AMOUNT OF MONEY
ANNUAL WAGE
ASSET ALLOCATION
ASSET MANAGEMENT
AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION
AVERAGE PENSION
AVERAGE PENSIONS
AVERAGE WAGE
AVERAGE WAGES
BANK PRODUCTS
BANKS
BENEFICIARIES
BENEFIT PLAN
BENEFIT PLANS
BEQUEST
BOND
BONDS
BUSINESS CYCLE
CALCULATION
CALCULATIONS
CAPITAL MARKET
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
CAPITAL STOCK
CASH FLOWS
CHILD CARE
CLAIMANT
CONSOLIDATION PROCESS
CONTRIBUTION
CONTRIBUTION RATE
CONTRIBUTION RATES
CONTRIBUTION SCHEMES
CONTRIBUTIONS
CREDIT BALANCE
CREDIT BALANCES
CREDITS
CURRENT PRICES
CURRENT RATE
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION
DEGREE OF RISK
DEGREES OF RISK
DEPENDANTS
DIFFERENT INTEREST RATE
DIFFERENT INTEREST RATES
DISABILITIES
DISABILITY
DISABILITY BENEFITS
DISABILITY INSURANCE
DISABILITY PENSION
DISABILITY PENSIONS
DISCOUNT RATE
DISCOUNT RATES
DIVORCE
EARLY RETIREMENT
EARNINGS
EXPENDITURES
FAIR VALUATION
FEMALE WORKERS
FINANCIAL ASSETS
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
FINANCIAL HEALTH
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL POLICY
FINANCIAL SITUATION
FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
FIXED INCOME
FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS
FREE ASSETS
FUND MANAGERS
GOVERNMENT BOND
GOVERNMENT REVENUES
GROSS INCOME
GUARANTEE FUND
HEALTH INSURANCE
INCOME
INCOME GROUPS
INCOME INCREASE
INCOME LEVELS
INCOME SOURCE
INCOME STREAM
INDIVIDUAL PENSION
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
INFLATION
INSURANCE COMPANY
INTEREST RATE
INTEREST RATES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
INVESTMENT REGULATIONS
LABOR FORCE
LABOR MARKET
LIABILITY
LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
LIFE EXPECTANCY
LIFE INSURANCE
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES
LIFETIME
LIVING COSTS
LIVING STANDARD
LONG-TERM PROJECTIONS
LOW COST
LOW INCOME
LOW-INCOME
LOW-INCOME WORKERS
LOWER INTEREST RATE
LOW­INCOME
LUMP SUM
LUMP SUMS
MARGINAL UTILITY OF CONSUMPTION
MARKET CONDITIONS
MARKET DEVELOPMENTS
MARKET INTEREST RATES
MARKET RETURNS
MARKET RISKS
MARKETING
MARRIED COUPLE
MARRIED COUPLES
MARRIED WOMEN
MATURITY
MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION
MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION RATES
MINIMUM BENEFIT
MINIMUM BENEFITS
MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION
MINIMUM PENSION
MINIMUM RATE OF RETURN
MONTHLY INCOME
MONTHLY INCOMES
MORTGAGE
MORTGAGE PAYMENTS
NOMINAL YIELD
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEME
OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS
OCCUPATIONAL PLANS
OLD-AGE PENSION
OLDER WORKERS
PENSION
PENSION BENEFIT
PENSION BENEFITS
PENSION COMPANIES
PENSION FUND
PENSION FUNDS
PENSION PLAN
PENSION PLANS
PENSION PROVIDER
PENSION PROVIDERS
PENSION REFORMS
PENSION SYSTEM
PENSION SYSTEMS
PENSIONERS
PENSIONS
POVERTY RATE
PRESENT VALUE
PRIVATE PENSION
PUBLIC PENSION
PUBLIC PENSION SCHEME
REAL ESTATE
RECESSION
REFERENDUM
REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
REPLACEMENT RATE
REPLACEMENT RATES
RESERVES
RESPONSIBILITIES
RETIRED
RETIRED INDIVIDUAL
RETIRED INDIVIDUALS
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT AGE
RETIREMENT AGES
RETIREMENT ASSETS
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
RETIREMENT DECISION
RETIREMENT DECISIONS
RETIREMENT INCOME
RETIREMENT INCOMES
RETIREMENT PLANS
RETIREMENT PRODUCTS
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
RETURNS
RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
RISK PREMIUM
SAFETY NET
SALARY
SAVINGS
SAVINGS INSTRUMENTS
SMALL EMPLOYERS
SOCIAL INSURANCE
SOCIAL INSURANCES
SOCIAL SECURITY
SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS
SUPERVISION OF PENSION FUNDS
TAKE-UP RATE
TAKE-UP RATES
TAX
TAX ADVANTAGE
TAX RATE
TAX TREATMENT
TRANSPARENCY
TRUST FUND
TRUST­FUND
UNEMPLOYMENT
VALUATION
VALUE OF PENSION
WAGE GROWTH
WAGES
WITHDRAWAL
WORK FORCE
WORTH
YIELD CURVES
YOUNGER WORKERS
ZERO COUPON
Bütler, Monika
Ruesch, Martin
Annuities in Switzerland
geographic_facet Europe and Central Asia
Switzerland
relation Policy Research Working Paper; No. 4438
description Switzerland's pension system has attracted considerable attention, mainly due to its reliance on a three-pillar structure. A relatively small pay-as-you-go system (first pillar) is complemented by a mandatory, employer-based, fully funded occupational pension scheme (second pillar). The main goal of this paper is to provide a detailed description and analysis of the Swiss pension system. Particular emphasis is placed on the second pillar and its role in the provision of old age benefits within the Swiss social security system. The paper shows, for example, that a typical individual with an uninterrupted career can expect a net (after-tax) replacement rate of at least 70 percent. Occupational pension plans are highly regulated. Minimum interest rate requirements and minimum conversion rates (at which the accumulated retirement balances are transformed into annuity streams) introduce many elements of defined benefit plans into notionally defined contribution schemes. The resulting money's worth ratios are very high (with the exception of single males). Switzerland also has a high annuitization rate by international standards (approximately 80 percent). However, due to high fragmentation of the scheme and non-uniform accounting practices, some aspects of the system are not very transparent. The paper sheds light on the financial health of the pension system and the evolution of the regulatory framework in the past two decades.
format Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
author Bütler, Monika
Ruesch, Martin
author_facet Bütler, Monika
Ruesch, Martin
author_sort Bütler, Monika
title Annuities in Switzerland
title_short Annuities in Switzerland
title_full Annuities in Switzerland
title_fullStr Annuities in Switzerland
title_full_unstemmed Annuities in Switzerland
title_sort annuities in switzerland
publisher World Bank, Washington, DC
publishDate 2012
url http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2007/12/8877327/annuities-switzerland
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/7567
_version_ 1764402787438821376
spelling okr-10986-75672021-04-23T14:02:35Z Annuities in Switzerland Bütler, Monika Ruesch, Martin ACCOUNTING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS ADDITIONAL INCOME ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS ADDITIONAL PENSION ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS AMOUNT OF MONEY ANNUAL WAGE ASSET ALLOCATION ASSET MANAGEMENT AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION AVERAGE PENSION AVERAGE PENSIONS AVERAGE WAGE AVERAGE WAGES BANK PRODUCTS BANKS BENEFICIARIES BENEFIT PLAN BENEFIT PLANS BEQUEST BOND BONDS BUSINESS CYCLE CALCULATION CALCULATIONS CAPITAL MARKET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS CAPITAL STOCK CASH FLOWS CHILD CARE CLAIMANT CONSOLIDATION PROCESS CONTRIBUTION CONTRIBUTION RATE CONTRIBUTION RATES CONTRIBUTION SCHEMES CONTRIBUTIONS CREDIT BALANCE CREDIT BALANCES CREDITS CURRENT PRICES CURRENT RATE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PENSION DEGREE OF RISK DEGREES OF RISK DEPENDANTS DIFFERENT INTEREST RATE DIFFERENT INTEREST RATES DISABILITIES DISABILITY DISABILITY BENEFITS DISABILITY INSURANCE DISABILITY PENSION DISABILITY PENSIONS DISCOUNT RATE DISCOUNT RATES DIVORCE EARLY RETIREMENT EARNINGS EXPENDITURES FAIR VALUATION FEMALE WORKERS FINANCIAL ASSETS FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FINANCIAL HEALTH FINANCIAL MARKETS FINANCIAL POLICY FINANCIAL SITUATION FINANCIAL SYSTEMS FIXED INCOME FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS FREE ASSETS FUND MANAGERS GOVERNMENT BOND GOVERNMENT REVENUES GROSS INCOME GUARANTEE FUND HEALTH INSURANCE INCOME INCOME GROUPS INCOME INCREASE INCOME LEVELS INCOME SOURCE INCOME STREAM INDIVIDUAL PENSION INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT INFLATION INSURANCE COMPANY INTEREST RATE INTEREST RATES INTERNATIONAL BANK INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT REGULATIONS LABOR FORCE LABOR MARKET LIABILITY LIABILITY MANAGEMENT LIFE EXPECTANCY LIFE INSURANCE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES LIFETIME LIVING COSTS LIVING STANDARD LONG-TERM PROJECTIONS LOW COST LOW INCOME LOW-INCOME LOW-INCOME WORKERS LOWER INTEREST RATE LOW­INCOME LUMP SUM LUMP SUMS MARGINAL UTILITY OF CONSUMPTION MARKET CONDITIONS MARKET DEVELOPMENTS MARKET INTEREST RATES MARKET RETURNS MARKET RISKS MARKETING MARRIED COUPLE MARRIED COUPLES MARRIED WOMEN MATURITY MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION RATES MINIMUM BENEFIT MINIMUM BENEFITS MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION MINIMUM PENSION MINIMUM RATE OF RETURN MONTHLY INCOME MONTHLY INCOMES MORTGAGE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS NOMINAL YIELD OCCUPATIONAL PENSION OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEME OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS OCCUPATIONAL PLANS OLD-AGE PENSION OLDER WORKERS PENSION PENSION BENEFIT PENSION BENEFITS PENSION COMPANIES PENSION FUND PENSION FUNDS PENSION PLAN PENSION PLANS PENSION PROVIDER PENSION PROVIDERS PENSION REFORMS PENSION SYSTEM PENSION SYSTEMS PENSIONERS PENSIONS POVERTY RATE PRESENT VALUE PRIVATE PENSION PUBLIC PENSION PUBLIC PENSION SCHEME REAL ESTATE RECESSION REFERENDUM REGULATORY AUTHORITIES REGULATORY FRAMEWORK REPLACEMENT RATE REPLACEMENT RATES RESERVES RESPONSIBILITIES RETIRED RETIRED INDIVIDUAL RETIRED INDIVIDUALS RETIREMENT RETIREMENT AGE RETIREMENT AGES RETIREMENT ASSETS RETIREMENT BENEFITS RETIREMENT DECISION RETIREMENT DECISIONS RETIREMENT INCOME RETIREMENT INCOMES RETIREMENT PLANS RETIREMENT PRODUCTS RETIREMENT PROGRAMS RETIREMENT SAVINGS RETURNS RISK MANAGEMENT RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES RISK PREMIUM SAFETY NET SALARY SAVINGS SAVINGS INSTRUMENTS SMALL EMPLOYERS SOCIAL INSURANCE SOCIAL INSURANCES SOCIAL SECURITY SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS SUPERVISION OF PENSION FUNDS TAKE-UP RATE TAKE-UP RATES TAX TAX ADVANTAGE TAX RATE TAX TREATMENT TRANSPARENCY TRUST FUND TRUST­FUND UNEMPLOYMENT VALUATION VALUE OF PENSION WAGE GROWTH WAGES WITHDRAWAL WORK FORCE WORTH YIELD CURVES YOUNGER WORKERS ZERO COUPON Switzerland's pension system has attracted considerable attention, mainly due to its reliance on a three-pillar structure. A relatively small pay-as-you-go system (first pillar) is complemented by a mandatory, employer-based, fully funded occupational pension scheme (second pillar). The main goal of this paper is to provide a detailed description and analysis of the Swiss pension system. Particular emphasis is placed on the second pillar and its role in the provision of old age benefits within the Swiss social security system. The paper shows, for example, that a typical individual with an uninterrupted career can expect a net (after-tax) replacement rate of at least 70 percent. Occupational pension plans are highly regulated. Minimum interest rate requirements and minimum conversion rates (at which the accumulated retirement balances are transformed into annuity streams) introduce many elements of defined benefit plans into notionally defined contribution schemes. The resulting money's worth ratios are very high (with the exception of single males). Switzerland also has a high annuitization rate by international standards (approximately 80 percent). However, due to high fragmentation of the scheme and non-uniform accounting practices, some aspects of the system are not very transparent. The paper sheds light on the financial health of the pension system and the evolution of the regulatory framework in the past two decades. 2012-06-08T19:09:04Z 2012-06-08T19:09:04Z 2007-12 http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2007/12/8877327/annuities-switzerland http://hdl.handle.net/10986/7567 English Policy Research Working Paper; No. 4438 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank World Bank, Washington, DC Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper Publications & Research Europe and Central Asia Switzerland