13th AHV Pension: Paid in December, Vote on 29 November
The 13th AHV pension arrives in December 2026 without an application if you qualify. We show you how much it is and what's on the ballot on 29 November.
On 29 November, Switzerland votes on additional financing of the AHV (old-age and survivors' insurance) through VAT (MWST). In December, the 13th AHV pension is paid for the first time (as of 12.10.2026, no voting recommendation from us).
Vote
29.11.
Sunday, additional AHV financing via VAT
First 13th pension
December
With the old-age pension, no separate application
13th pension amount
2'520
CHF with maximum pension and twelve months of payment
Do you get the 13th pension in December?
Gets it
- You receive an old-age pension in December 2026
- Pension starts during 2026: pro rata
Doesn't get it
- Disability (IV), widow's, widower's, orphan's and child's pensions
- Deferred old-age pension (until you draw it)
- Pension starts from 1.1.2027
Your timeline: what happens when?
- 1.–8.11.
Voting materials
Depends on your municipality; due in this window by our calculation. Then vote.
- 29.11.
Vote
Voters and cantons decide on additional AHV financing.
- December
First 13th pension
Payday depends on your compensation office, early December.
- 1.1.2027
Higher pensions
Pensions rise by around 1.59%.
- Later
Higher VAT
Only with a yes vote, early 2028 at the earliest.
What you can do now
More: AHV pension explained and AHV key figures 2027 (in German).
How much is your 13th pension?
The 13th pension is one twelfth of the old-age pensions paid in 2026. With a full pension, twelve months of payment, no cap and no early drawing, that is CHF 1'260 to 2'520. With a 1 July start, the maximum pension gives CHF 1'260. Try it.
Your 13th AHV pension in December 2026
CHF 2'000
13th pension in December 2026: monthly pension CHF 2'000 × months of payment (12) ÷ 12.
Rough guide for single people with an unchanged pension. For couples the cap limits the pensions, by our calculation the 13th pension too. With early drawing the reduced pension counts. Your compensation office calculates the exact amount.
Married couples
Two old-age pensions of a married couple are capped at CHF 3'780 per month combined in 2026. By our calculation, not officially confirmed, this also affects the 13th pension: CHF 1'890 each instead of CHF 2'520 with two maximum pensions.
What applies to tax, supplementary benefits and fraud?
EL
For supplementary benefits (EL), the 13th pension does not count as income. It does not reduce or cancel EL.
Tax
Like the ordinary pension, the 13th pension is usually taxable and raises your 2026 taxable income. The tax on it depends on your canton and income.
Caution
Fraudsters exploit current AHV topics: the Federal Social Insurance Office (BSV) does not demand money from insured people and never asks them to confirm their AHV number by email or phone. Don't click links, delete the email and report it to antiphishing.ch.
What's on the ballot on 29 November?
The vote only concerns VAT financing, not the pension itself: voters (with a majority of cantons) approved the 13th pension on 3 March 2024 with around 58% in favour. We only show numbers and who says what.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who recommends what? | Yes: Federal Council and parliamentary majority. No: parliamentary minority. |
| When does VAT go up? | Only with a yes vote, early 2028 at the earliest. No additional financing for 2026 or 2027. |
| Revenue if yes | Around CHF 1.4 billion per year from 2029 (according to the BSV) |
| 13th pension cost | Over CHF 4 billion per year (according to the federal government). VAT covers only part of it. |
| AHV deficit 2035 | Federal Council estimate: around CHF 3 billion if yes, just under CHF 5 billion if no |
Also on 29 November: the initiative to restrict fireworks, the Centre party's fairness initiative (federal tax for married couples) and the amendment to the War Material Act. Details in your voting materials.
What would 8.5% instead of 8.1% mean for your budget if voters say yes?
Example: extra cost from the VAT increase
About CHF 89 per year
0.37% more on spending at the standard rate (8.1% to 8.5%), if prices rise by the full amount. Example, not a forecast.
Not covered: spending at the reduced rate (2.6%, unchanged) and items without VAT (according to the Federal Council, for example rent or health insurance premiums). Earliest from the start of 2028, and only if the vote on 29 November is a yes.
Our calculation: 1.085 ÷ 1.081 = 1.0037. That is CHF 3.70 per CHF 1'000 of spending at the standard rate including VAT. This is an example calculation with freely chosen assumptions, not an official estimate.
What changes on 1 January 2027?
The Federal Council raises AHV and IV pensions by around 1.59% on 1 January 2027 (decision of 2 October 2026).
| Full pension per month | 2026 | from 1.1.2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum pension | CHF 1'260 | CHF 1'280 |
| Maximum pension | CHF 2'520 | CHF 2'560 |
Note
The December 2026 payment is still based on 2026 pensions. The higher amounts start with the January 2027 pension and arrive automatically.
Frequently asked questions
When does the money arrive?
In December 2026, with the December pension. The federal government names only the month. At several compensation offices we checked, payday falls between 1 and 7 December. Your office will tell you the day.
Do I have to apply for anything?
You do not need to apply separately for the 13th pension. Anyone entitled to an old-age pension in December 2026 gets it automatically from the compensation office.
Does it also apply to IV pensions?
No. The 13th pension only comes with an old-age pension. IV, widow's, widower's, orphan's and child's pensions stay at twelve payments per year.
As of 12.10.2026. Sources: Federal Social Insurance Office, Federal Council and compensation offices. This is guidance, not legal or tax advice.