Is this correct, one can leave your pension assets in the existing pension fund for up to 6 months after termination of employment and the assets will continue to earn the minimum BVG interest rate?

Where did you hear/read that?
Last time I moved jobs I immediately got an email from the provider where to transfer the funds to and staying was not an option.

I believe Federal Law on Vesting in Pension Plans (FZG) gives you six months if you do not have a new employer to transfer the funds to.

Why not transfer to the below
https://finpension.ch/en/vested-benefits/

From what I have seen, some pension funds do not mind if you take a bit of time to sort it out. However, as of your termination date (i.e., last date of employment), you are no longer a member of the fund and therefore they do not provide any interest.

Only exception is when one is due to retire within the next 2 years. Then the assets can stay in the pension and collect interest until retirement age.

A person who loses their job at the age of 58 or over can continue to participate in their employer’s pension fund with the same rights as those of other insured workers (interest rate, conversion rate, pension) if both the employer and employee contributions are paid by the former employee.

This is provided for in Article 47a of the pension law (LPP).

https://www.rsm.global/switzerland/e...lar-unemployed

I believe there was a change something along those lines in recent years, but as I am retired I have not kept up with it. However, you need to be aware that you are also exposed to the same risks as the other members, particularly if there were to be mass redundancy or the company was bordering on insolvency.

but also such person can just keep the current accumulated funds in the pension, when changing employer, right? I thought that was the major improvement, once you cross 58 you can't be thrown out from a good pension fund just because you've changed job (and your new employer is with different pension plan).

I think you are correct. Once your employment is over they will send you forms to know about the new pension fund so that they can transfer funds there. If you dont have a new job or don't provide details of new pension fund in 6 months they will transfer money to a statutory fund which can be transferred again to the new pension fund when you provide the details.

It is important to have all money at one place in case some claims arise e.g. disability.

I don‘t think so. You can continue paying in both employee and employer part when you lose your job but not that you can stay with a previous pension fund when changing jobs.

No. The risk profile is different, so if you moved to a company with a poorer profile then the members of the old fund would carry the risk.

While there are minimum rates of return the capital is not guaranteed - funds do suffer capital losses. The funds are well regulated and in serious underfunding a combination of an employer cash injection plus an adjustment to the entitlements is sufficient to get the thing of the rails.

If the terminated employee enters a new employment, they become affiliated to their new employer's pension fund, and their former employer pension plan transfers their retirements savings to their new plan.

If the insured person remains in the former pension fund for more than 2 years after their termination, a lump-sum withdrawal is no longer possible and the retirement benefits are paid out exclusively as a pension.

Early withdrawal or pledges for residential property are also no longer possible.

so I'm no longer sure if the change in the law was any improvement ¯\(°_o)/¯

Because for only a few months, it’s not really worth it?

If you are close to retirement and/or the amount is significant, then it is important to make the right decision about where the funds go.
I have seen this organisation recommended at one time https://web.aeis.ch/ but really you have to check, it depends on your circumstances, especially if you want regular pension payments instead of simply having the cash handed to you.

It in an improvement because if you get laid off you can stay in a plan with all the insurance it provides and not be on your own.

Bear in mind that they will charge you a fee of 400 CH when you transfer your funds to your future employer's found:

'Transfer to another vested benefits foundation within one year
of entry CHF 400'

https://finpension.ch/app/uploads/20...e_Schedule.pdf

The other alternative is VIAC, which doesn't charge this particular fee.

Regards

Assuming I change employer at some point and will have the option of transferring my BVG funds to a new employer, can I actually move them to Finpension, have them invested, and at the new employer start from scratch?
I would expect the return to be higher (at a higher risk). I always thought I could only do it if I planned to leave the country.

According to this it suggests you can keep any non-mandatory benefits in Finpension

https://finpension.ch/en/vested-benefits/faq/new-job/

Do I have to put the money back into the pension fund when I start a new job?

Yes, in principle you must transfer all vested benefits back to the pension fund if you have a new employer and are insured with the pension fund. However, you are only obliged to contribute up to the maximum regulatory benefits.