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Products and benefits
The "OASI 21" reform will also affect occupational benefit schemes. Find out how this will affect your occupational benefits. We also show two further benefit improvements set out in the General Regulation Provisions 2024.
Products and benefits
Impact of the "OASI 21" reform on your benefit plan
The "OASI 21" reform will go a long way towards stabilizing the OASI system – we reported on this in detail last year (Helvetia – News on the 2nd pillar 2023, in the section entitled "Market and social insurance"). The occupational benefit system will also be affected by the reform. Various adjustments have therefore been made to the pension regulations of the Helvetia collective foundations and will take effect on 1 January 2024.
Benefit improvement in the event of a contribution waiver
With this change as of 1 January 2024, Helvetia aims to promote the reintegration of employees after a prolonged illness by removing procedural obstacles for employers in the continuation of the employment relationship.
During the first year of incapacity for work, contributions are waived on the basis of the incapacity for work as certified by a doctor; as of the second year, contributions are waived on the basis of the degree of disability set by the invalidity insurance scheme (IV). It often takes longer for the IV ruling to be issued. If the employment relationship continues in the second year of incapacity for work and if the incapacity for work is higher than the degree of disability determined by the invalidity insurance office for this (often retroactive) period, the contribution exemption in the second year of incapacity for work will also be realigned in accordance with the medically certified degree of incapacity for work.
By simplifying the process, affected employers and employees have more planning security, less administrative effort, higher benefits – depending on the situation – and a constant premium.
Capital option for disabled persons
As of 1 January 2024, insured persons who are fully or partially unable to earn can now also claim the capital withdrawal of their retirement assets.
As part of personal pension planning, which takes into account, among other things, the family and tax situation, more and more insured persons are opting to draw all or part of their retirement savings as capital. We would now also like to offer this option to insured persons who are fully or partially unable to earn so that they too can make the most of their retirement.
Closing gaps with the 3rd pillar
OASI and occupational pensions, known as the 1st and 2nd pillars, together provide a good basis for covering the most important pension needs. However, pension provision is a very individual and personal concern and needs differ greatly from person to person. In addition, not all pension gaps can be closed with OASI/IV or the pension fund. This is where the 3rd pillar comes in.
Author: Caroline Kresta