Do B-permit holders pay these the same way?

Social security contributions apply the same way regardless of permit type, but B, G, and L permit holders typically have income tax withheld at source instead.

Swiss Social Security Calculator (AHV/ALV/BVG)

Enter your annual salary and age to calculate your 2026 Swiss social security contributions: AHV/IV/EO, ALV, and the BVG occupational pension.

Swiss Social Security Calculator

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Annual salary (CHF)

Age

AHV/IV/EO (5.3%, no ceiling)	CHF 4,240.00
ALV (1.1%, up to CHF 148,200)	CHF 880.00
BVG pension fund (employee share)	CHF 2,713.75
Total employee contribution	CHF 7,833.75
Net after social security	CHF 72,166.25

Social security only - not income tax. Swiss income tax is federal + cantonal + municipal, varying enormously by location (roughly 20-43% total depending on canton), and is not included here. BVG shown is the statutory minimum; your pension fund may contribute more.

The 2026 rates used

AHV/IV/EO: 5.3% of full gross salary (employee share), no income ceiling ALV: 1.1% of gross salary (employee share), up to CHF 148,200/year BVG (occupational pension, employee share, statutory minimum): Coordinated salary = Gross salary - CHF 25,725 (capped at CHF 62,475) Age 25-34: 7% - Age 35-44: 10% - Age 45-54: 15% - Age 55+: 18% (of coordinated salary) Employee pays half; employer must fund at least the other half

Example

CHF 80,000 salary, age 40: AHV CHF 4,240, ALV CHF 880, BVG (10% band, employee half) CHF 2,713.75 on a coordinated salary of CHF 54,275 - total employee contribution of about CHF 7,834, before Swiss income tax (which varies by canton) is applied.

Why Swiss income tax isn't included here

Switzerland uniquely taxes income at three separate levels - federal, cantonal, and municipal - and while the federal rate is uniform nationwide (maxing out around 11.5%), cantonal and municipal rates vary dramatically by location. The same CHF 100,000 income can face a total tax burden as low as roughly 20% in a canton like Zug, or over 40% in Geneva - a difference of tens of thousands of francs a year based purely on postal code. Because there's no single number that represents "Swiss income tax," this calculator focuses on the social security contributions that apply uniformly nationwide, and leaves income tax to canton-specific calculators that account for your exact municipality.

Common mistakes

Assuming the "net" figure here is your final take-home pay - unlike many countries, Swiss income tax often isn't automatically deducted from Swiss citizens' and C-permit holders' paychecks, but is billed separately and must be budgeted for.

Applying the full BVG rate as your own contribution - the percentage shown by age band is the combined employee+employer minimum; the employee typically pays half, with the employer required to fund at least the other half.

Frequently asked questions

Why does BVG depend on my age?

The occupational pension (2nd pillar) is designed so contribution rates rise as you approach retirement, reflecting the shorter time remaining for that money to grow before you'd draw on it.

Do B-permit holders (foreign workers) pay these the same way?

Social security contributions (AHV/ALV/BVG) apply the same way regardless of permit type. However, B, G, and L permit holders typically have income tax withheld directly at source (Quellensteuer) rather than billed separately, unlike Swiss citizens and C-permit holders.

Is the AHV pension the same for everyone who contributes?

No - the eventual pension depends on your total contribution years (44 years needed for full entitlement) and average insured salary over your career, not simply on the amount contributed in any single year.

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