https://www.ch.ch/en/retirement-benefits/

Thank you Reka for your prompt response.

However, because we live over the border, where one can calculate what should be paid, this is not possible as the box only allows 4digit postcodes, not 5 as we have in France.

But thank you anyway.

Sorry, Sheila, I don’t know enough about AVS to be of any real help.

R.

AVS/AHV is the first of the 3 pillars of Swiss pension system. It's supposed to cover the basic needs but it vary depending of your former salary and the number of years you've been working.

In you case, 6 years is a very short time which is why this pension is so low. There is no way to increase it since you are not living in Switzerland.

Normally you must have a second pillar (unless you were independant) LPP/BVG in which your employer and yourself must have put money in. It's usually substantially higher that the AVS/AHV as it is not designed to cover only the basic needs, but to allow you to keep the same "way of life".

But I doubt yours should be high since you've been working only 6 years. In any case if you've not asked for it, you should do so. I know a lot of expats do forget to get it paid before leaving. If it's your case, you should probably ask your former employer what was the retirment fund he was enlisted to and how you can get this money.
If you've already done it and struggle to survive, then you'll have to rely on your country of residence welfare to help you as you are not living in Switzerland.

as I assume that you worked somewhere before those 6 years, maybe it is possible for you to claim the pension from all those years before in an other country ?  I say as a way of complementing the Swiss pension

No, unfortunately I did not, well only a Saturday job which does not really count.

So it's back to belt-tightening. Oh well, many people are worse off, so we must be grateful.

It is a matter of perspective of course, but I really do not understand your surprise, if six years were enough to call it quits and receive any significant amount for life, I would be the first person to retire right now and move somewhere with a low cost of living.

But again, I am from a generation that never had any expectation of stable employment, home ownership or a family...

If anyone has any questions or would like some professional advice feel free to get in touch deVere specialize in all areas of independent financial advice and we help ex pats and locals plan for there financial future which lets face it is very imoportant

Regards Paul

You seem to be assuming that it was Sheila who called quits.  Perhaps she left the job because she had reached the retirement age or maybe she was made redundant.

Call it quits?

Actually I got married!

… and lived happily ever after!

For all that, what would your contributions be worth in today’s money, Sheila, and what about the interest that accrued on the thousands you paid in?

Well, at least your file didn’t get lost and presumably you receive your mite monthly.  I’ve been told that UK pensions for retires living in CH are paid quarterly so changes in the exchange rate can have an impact on the amount the OAP receives.