Young middle-class parties reject initiative for 13th AHV pension
Published: Monday, Jan 15th 2024, 10:30
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An alliance of four young middle-class parties is campaigning for a No to the initiative for a 13th AHV pension. Representatives of the Young Liberals, the Young SVP, the Young Center and the Young GLP announced in Bern on Monday that the initiative is expensive, untargeted and not fair to the generations.
Allianz warned of high follow-up costs of several billion francs per year, which would be incurred if the initiative is approved by the people on March 3, 2024. Working people and consumers would then have to pay these costs in the form of higher wage contributions and higher VAT, Allianz explained at the media conference.
Meanwhile, the already strained financial situation of the AHV would be further exacerbated. "The financing of the AHV is already in serious danger today. The initiative for a 13th AHV pension acts like an accelerant here", said Matthias Müller, President of the Swiss Young Liberals.
The initiative also favors pensioners who are financially better off, Allianz added. Those who already receive a high pension today would receive a higher supplement in future. This is not a policy that is fair to all generations, emphasized Marc Rüdisüli, President of Junge Mitte Schweiz.
"Not responsible"
An increase in AHV pensions for all pensioners by the amount of a monthly pension, regardless of their actual needs, would not be responsible towards future generations given the financial situation of the AHV, Rüdisüli continued.
Jeremy Borel, Vice-President of the Young GLP, brought up "more cost-effective alternatives". For example, a motion was recently adopted in the National Council calling for the AHV pension formula to be improved so that those in need would receive a pension increase.
The popular initiative launched by the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) calls for a "thirteenth" for old-age pensions, as many working people know it. Specifically, recipients of an AHV pension should be entitled to an annual supplement equal to one twelfth of their annual pension.
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