Finance Minister: 13th AHV pension probably not without tax increase
Published: Wednesday, Dec 27th 2023, 10:30
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According to Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter, there is a risk of a tax increase if the people vote yes to the 13th AHV pension. "If this initiative is accepted, we will hardly be able to avoid a tax increase," she told the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper on Wednesday.
"A 13th AHV pension can only be financed if either VAT is increased or employers' and employees' wage contributions are increased. Perhaps a combination of both is needed," said the FDP Federal Councillor in the interview.
On March 3, the people will vote on the initiative "For a better life in old age" by the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB), among others. It calls for a 13th monthly pension for AHV pensioners to compensate somewhat for falling pension fund pensions and the rising cost of living. The initiative leaves the financing open. The trade unions propose using the National Bank's profits.
According to Keller-Sutter, the 13th pension would cause additional costs of a good five billion francs in the medium term, of which the federal government would have to assume one billion. "A 13th AHV pension is so expensive that it is not possible without additional funding," said the Finance Minister. In addition, the population continues to age, which increases costs. At present, the AHV is only stably financed until 2030 - without the 13th monthly pension already being factored in.
No tax hearing for the army
Keller-Sutter, however, practically ruled out a tax increase for the army. "I can't imagine higher taxes for the army. I would also like to see who would stand up in a referendum and make a tax increase in favor of the army palatable to the people."
She does not believe that a tax increase is the right way forward given the current financial situation of the federal government. "We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem." The federal government cannot simply raise its tax rate like this. It would need an amendment to the constitution with the approval of the people and the cantons.
The debt brake forces the federal government to set priorities, said Keller-Sutter. An increase in military spending would inevitably mean that this would be at the expense of almost all other areas of responsibility for years to come - especially because social spending would increase so much at the same time.
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