Hello All,

Me and my husband are working in Switzerland for the past 10 months.
We have been paying tax, AHV, pension and all others like every Swiss employee.Due to certain cost reasons, the contract is being terminated at the end of 10 months, instead of 1 year.Iam told that we can receive refund of pension but not the AHV.Is this true ? I read somewhere that if the spouse is also working and is contributing to AHV, then we can claim if the contribution is less than 1 year..is this true? Iam really worried because it is a huge amount for the two of us.Please suggest and help.Thanks in advance !

Hello Deven

I do not believe that any refunds are possible on the AHV contribution... you have to understand that Pension is like a savings plan - AHV is like insurance; hence the different treatments

To the best of my knowledge you can claim this money back however for the EU it needs to be transferred to a similar scheme. I am not sure of the rights of non-EUers. Normally this is the one place where they gain an advantage...

From what I have read, there are certain countries where you can get the AHV back (not sure if there is a time limit) after a year of having been out of CH. YOu have to contact AHV directly and ask them. If you dont speak german, I recommend getting someone who does to contact them and sort out the details.

More and more countries are creating agreements with Switzerland, esp EU countries, which means when you leave ,you cant get your AHV back, but you do get it once you are a certain age (the swiss age of retirement for your sex - male/female is different) - but again there may be a min of one year payment to help offset the hassle cost of keeping track of people, countries payements etc).

I understand it could be painful to lose the money, but then again - its a pension so you can't really expect cash in your hand - in most other I doubt that would happen countries either. Its meant for retirement right ??

BTW: most of the leaving stuff - cancelling phone etc, is better facilitated with a "I am leaving switzerland" type paper from your local Gemeinde / Kreise Buro (community office). In fact I think you need one for most things (to cancel them).

Apologies to post late.

Yes think Indians can claim their AHV since the Swiss dont have any tie-ups with India !!. One of my friends did it... But you have to be here for a minimum amount of period which you have to figure out... I will send him an email to check it out more.

What I think you have to do is get back to India and get a affidavid from a registrar that you are indeed back in India and forward it to the Swiss authorities...

Since its an old thread, you probably figured it out by now, so if you could please post the outcome it will be helpful for the other people

thanks,
Vishi

^affidavit

Hi Vishi,

I also wanted to claim AHV back I have contributed it more then 12 months and now I am returning back.

did you get your AHV contribution back after leaving switzerland ?

Could you kindly send me the procedure to claim it back.

Thnaks
IG

Hi

Best way is to ask the concerned Zurich state office !

Or perhaps even better - click here and read...