EURAXESS SWITZERLAND

2. Getting Started


2.6 Social Security System

The Swiss system of social security is split up into various branches: each branch has its own special characteristics. This is a result of federalism (where the Federal Government does not have the power to legislate, social security lies within the competence of the cantons).

Swiss social security covers the risks of

  • health and occupational accident, 
  • old age, death and disability (basic system and occupational pensions), 
  • unemployment as well as 
  • family allowances.
  • With regard to maternity, the benefits in kind are granted by the health insurance provider and cash payments are paid by the loss of income insurance fund.

All persons domiciled in Switzerland have to arrange their health insurance within three months of birth or arrival in Switzerland. The insurance is personal. The daily allowance insurance in the event of illness is optional, unless an insurance obligation results from the individual employment contract or the GLA. Persons domiciled or working in Switzerland are compulsorily insured under the pension scheme for old age and disability (OASI/DI). In contrast, only wage-earners with a salary over a certain level (at least CHF 19,890.--/year) are insured in the occupational pension scheme. Cash benefits in the event of maternity are paid to working women (salaried and self-employed). Accident insurance and unemployment insurance only cover wage-earners. With regard to family allowances, the federal system covers all agricultural wage-earners as well as self-employed farmers whose income does not exceed a certain limit. The cantonal systems cover salaried workers, certain cantons also cover self-employed persons and/or those who are not employed.
 
In general, Swiss social insurances are financed by the contributions of the insured persons, calculated depending on their salaries, incomes or assets. Employers participate in the funding of all the branches except for health insurance. The state also participates in the funding of social insurances, with the exception of the occupational pension. Health insurance is financed by the premiums of each insured person, premiums which depend on the provider chosen and not on the income of the insured person; the state subsidises the health insurance of persons in modest financial situations.
 
Questions regarding benefits must be addressed to the competent insurance provider: health insurance provider, accident insurance provider, OASI compensation office, disability insurance office, occupational pension fund.

(Source: www.swissemigration.ch)