PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES: YOUR ROLE AS AN EMPLOYER
OASI, DI and helplessness allowances: several benefits may concern your employees throughout their careers, whether at retirement, in the event of long-term incapacity for work, or when daily assistance is required. You are not alone in dealing with these situations: we support you in understanding your role and taking the appropriate steps at the right time.
OLD-AGE PENSION (OASI)
As an employee approaches retirement, it is important to note that the OASI pension is never paid automatically: it must be claimed, generally 3 to 4 months before the chosen retirement date. Retirement may also be taken early from the age of 63 or deferred for up to 5 years, with a direct impact on the pension amount.
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Disability Insurance (DI)
If one of your employees has been unable to work for 30 consecutive days, or is repeatedly absent for health reasons, you may report the situation to DI through an early detection notification, even without the employee's prior consent, provided that the employee is informed.
This procedure aims to ensure early intervention to help prevent job loss, by implementing reintegration measures where appropriate, even before a disability pension application is submitted.
Visit the Vaud DI website for employers
HELPLESSNESS ALLOWANCE
If an employee requires regular and substantial assistance from another person to carry out everyday activities, such as getting up, washing or moving around, they may be entitled to a helplessness allowance. This allowance is paid in addition to any DI or OASI pension and is granted according to three levels of severity (minor, moderate or severe). The application must be submitted to the DI office in the canton where the employee resides.
View the official information sheetFrequently asked questions
Do I need to do anything when an employee retires?
Remind them that the OASI pension is never paid automatically: they must apply for it 3 to 4 months before their chosen retirement date. You do not need to submit any application yourself, but you will need to provide them with a salary certificate if our compensation office requests one in order to finalise the calculation.
What should I do if an employee has been off work for several weeks?
After 30 consecutive days of incapacity for work (or in the event of repeated absences over the course of a year), you can submit an early detection notification to the Disability Insurance (DI) office. You do not need your employee’s consent to do so, but you must inform them. This allows the DI office to intervene at an early stage to help the person concerned remain in employment.
Do we continue to pay contributions for an employee who is already receiving an OASI pension but is still working?
Yes, contributions remain payable, but an allowance of CHF 1,400 per month (or CHF 16,800 per year) applies to their earnings, unless the employee explicitly chooses to waive it in order to continue improving their future pension entitlement.
Contact person
Isa Ebibi
+41 21 613 35 14