Useful information
Social security insurance in Switzerland
Old-age and survivors’ insurance (OASI)
OASI is the backbone of Switzerland’s old-age and survivors’ insurance scheme. It is also referred to as the first pillar. OASI coverage is compulsory, and its aim is to cover the basic needs of persons reaching retirement age, or in the case of death of their spouse.
Employer | Employee | Self-employed
Disability insurance (DI)
DI is the backbone of Switzerland’s disability insurance. It is part of the first pillar. It is a compulsory insurance, like the OASI, which aims to cover the basic needs of insured persons who become disabled before retirement age. Basic needs are covered either through rehabilitation measures or allowances.
Employer | Employee | Self-employed
Income compensation insurance (IC)
IC is a scheme that provides fair compensation for income loss in case of service (military, civil protection, Red Cross or community service; Youth and Sport instructor courses; or young shooter instructor courses), or motherhood.
Employer | Employee | Self-employed
Family allowances (AF)
AF are provided to help parents with the care of their children up to the age of 25 years. These allowances include child benefits, occupational training allowances and, in certain cantons, birth and adoption allowances.
Employer | Employee | Self-employed
Unemployment insurance (UI)
Like the old-age and survivors’ insurance, UI is a social insurance. All salaried persons as well as their employers have the obligation to contribute. The self-employed are not eligible and therefore not covered. Unemployment insurance aims to provide appropriate benefits in the case of loss of employment, reduction in working hours, lack of employment due to weather conditions, or insolvency on the part of the employer. This insurance scheme also provides for unemployment prevention measures and the rapid and sustainable reintegration of insured persons into the workplace
