More room for maneuver for welfare funds
Published: Wednesday, Nov 20th 2024, 12:40
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From January 1, company welfare funds will also be able to pay benefits in the event of illness, accident and unemployment. They may also do so even if there is no specific emergency. The Federal Council is bringing the corresponding changes to the law into force in the new year.
The Federal Council recognizes that welfare funds with discretionary benefits have an important social function, according to the press release issued on Wednesday.
In principle, such funds provide benefits to people in emergency situations to cushion the economic consequences of old age, death and disability. Amendments to the Civil Code now also allow them to provide money in other situations, such as for education and training, for reconciling work and family life and for health promotion.
Historically, welfare funds were primarily active in the area of occupational pensions. Before the creation of the mandatory pension fund, they were an important instrument for this.
Parliament adopted the bill drafted by the National Council's Social Security and Health Committee in the 2024 spring session. It is based on a parliamentary initiative by FDP National Councillor Daniela Schneeberger from Basel.
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