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In 2024, voters approved the initiative for a 13th pension payment under the old-age and survivors\u2019 insurance (AHV\/AVS). It will be paid for the first time at the end of 2026, whatever the outcome of the upcoming vote. The text did not specify how it would be funded; the Confederation estimates the cost at 4.2 billion francs in 2026. After a long debate, Parliament opted for an increase in value added tax (VAT), now put to the vote.<\/p>\n
On 29 November 2026, Swiss voters decide on the VAT increase proposed to finance the 13th AHV pension. The standard rate would rise from 8.1% to 8.5%<\/strong>, and the special rate for accommodation from 3.8% to 4%. The reduced rate of 2.6%, which applies in particular to food and medicines, would remain unchanged.<\/p>\n The increase could take effect from 2028, according to Entreprise Romande, the newspaper of the Federation of French-speaking Swiss Businesses Geneva (FER Gen\u00e8ve). The Confederation covers 20.2% of AHV expenditure. The balance, around 1.7 billion francs, would be drawn from the reserves of the AHV compensation fund.<\/p>\n Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider defends the measure and plays down its cost for the population, with the image of \u201c2 centimes on a coffee\u201d. In Valais, the remark drew nearly 600 comments on Le Nouvelliste\u2019s Facebook page, mostly critical.<\/p>\nKey figures<\/h3>\n
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What it means for businesses<\/h3>\n
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Analysis<\/h3>\n
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What's next<\/h3>\n
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Further reading<\/h3>\n