Voters decide on 13th AHV pension and higher retirement age
Published: Sunday, Mar 3rd 2024, 04:50
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The people and cantons will decide on two initiatives on old-age provision. The initiative for a 13th AHV pension could clear the hurdle and become a historic success for the trade unions. The initiative for a higher retirement age is unlikely to stand much of a chance.
According to polls conducted in mid-February, the popular initiative "For a better life in old age (initiative for a 13th AHV pension)" launched by trade unions could clear the majority hurdle. In the SRG poll, it received 53% in favor and 59% in the "20 Minuten"/Tamedia poll.
It will be interesting to see whether the initiative achieves the required majority of the cantons. The popular initiative calls for AHV pensions to be increased by one twelfth, or 8.3 percent, from 2026 in order to increase purchasing power. All pensioners should receive the increase.
Opponents argue with the costs: according to the Federal Council, it will cost around CHF 4.1 billion in 2026, the year of introduction. Five years later - due to the rising number of pensioners - it would be CHF 5 billion.
The SP and the Greens supported the initiative. The conservative parties and business associations opposed it. The referendum campaign was intensive - and expensive. Supporters and opponents budgeted around six million francs for their campaigns.
Higher retirement age has a hard time
The pension initiative launched by the Young Liberals has little chance of success. As a first step, it calls for the retirement age for women and men to be raised to 66. After that, the retirement age should be linked to life expectancy.
The SVP and FDP supported the initiative. The Center Party, SP, Greens and GLP voted against the initiative. According to the SRG trend survey, 63% of respondents want to reject the initiative. According to "20 Minuten"/Tamedia, 65 percent want to vote no.
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