... did it ever happen?

I know it did for me but was there a noticable outflow of EU foreigners who wanted to get their greedy hands on cold, hard pensions cash?

Gav, a lot of people sang the song and I do remember some MBS roadshows <spit> which were informing people of the well-known fact. But there are probably more EU folk here than ever, now.

Have you bought an island yet?

Not enough I say.
Rates are still on the low side.

Are you having a laugh? I couldn't even buy a f******g garden shed in Belfast right now at current property prices


Seriously, the pension wasn't that much though it was worth getting out. The thing is that house prices in Ireland have increased about 250% since I left. Although my current stash would have been easily enough to buy a reasonable (3 bed semi) property outright, pre-2000, it's not even sufficient for a 2 bed terrace now


Roll on the house price crash, I say! Also, a devaluing of sterling would be appreciated too. Until then, ironically, the dosh will stay ensconced with the Zuerich gnomes.

Yes there was an exodus of long term residents and an influx of new Germans well old Germans newly in Switzerland.
I must say that life in Switzerland does not seem to have changed much though...

Is this thread about the law change of people leaving before/after June 1st?

no, it's about the way the second pension pillar can be removed when you quit the country.

Oh well, I guess I asked for that
Yes, that's what I meant, I think things were clear in my brain and didn't come out like that.

Funny, because I've just received a mail from my HR and now I have to fill in these forms, and tell them about a "vested benefits account" to put the compulsory part of the money. And I'm going to receive the overflow from this compulsory part.
I'm already arranging a meeting with the lady to understand better, but can you help me in advance?
This vested benefits account will basically be similar to a private pension fund account, right? Earning interest that I will then receive once I reach retirement age (or 5 years earlier).
Are there big differences between these accounts in different banks, in terms of interest? I have an account with UBS and maybe it'd be easier to stay with them.

I'll probably have to transfer out the extra money I'll receive, no point in keeping it here at 0.5% interest (their 'savings' account )

AFAIK the vested accounts are the same everywhere. They have to pay a standardised rate of interest by law and you can only access the money at a certain age OR if you want to put it towards buying a primary residential property.

Are you from the EU? If you officially quit Switzerland before the 1st of June (ie got deregistered) then you should be able to actually get the money paid out into a regular account, minus a small tax fee. Not too sure if you need to have filed the applications for withdrawal before the deadline too.

Yep, ok thanks, then I'll just stay with my bank.

Yes, from Portugal going to the UK, and no, only leaving at the end of this month, so I will only receive now the money paid over the compulsory amount.