Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Social security and insurance

Switzerland has concluded international social security agreements with 44 countries, aimed primarily at ensuring equal treatment for citizens, determining which legislation is applicable, and paying benefits abroad. A social security agreement has existed between Switzerland and Chile since 1998.

Social security system

The Swiss–Chilean social security agreement sets out the rights and obligations of nationals of both countries with regard to specific categories of social security and the coordination arrangements. The agreement also sets out the rules that apply to posted workers from Switzerland.

Pensions / retirement

Statutory retirement age is 60 for women and 65 for men. Foreign workers who are employed or self-employed in Chile and pay into an Administración de Fondos de Pensiones (Chilean pension fund) are entitled to draw a pension.

Health and accident insurance

The Chilean social security system does not provide sufficient cover by Swiss standards. The compulsory social security scheme for workers and employees only partially covers hospital costs.

It is strongly recommended to check your insurance cover with your provider before you emigrate. If your cover is insufficient, it is advisable to take out an international insurance plan to cover your costs in Chile.

Occupational pension scheme

Employees are automatically affiliated to an Administración de Fondos de Pensiones – AFP (private pension fund). The private pension funds also provide cover in the event of unemployment. The cover is not as comprehensive as that provided by the Swiss social security system, however.

Unemployment insurance

To obtain unemployment insurance and receive an income in the event of unemployment, workers must be employed under a permanent employment contract or a contract for work and services under the Chilean Employment Code, i.e. have the status of an employee, or contribute monthly to an individual savings account. This is called unemployment insurance.

As soon as a worker signs their employment contract, they are automatically entitled to cover either through the solidarity fund or their individual account.

Upon retirement, the employee (or the employer on their behalf) may either withdraw as a lump sum or transfer any funds they have accumulated to their private pension fund (AFP). If the employee dies, the funds go to their designated beneficiaries or legal heirs.

Swiss old-age and survivors' insurance (OASI) and invalidity insurance (IV)

Payment of ordinary pensions

Ordinary OASI and IV pension payments (except quarter pensions under the IV scheme) for Swiss nationals can be transferred to their place of residence anywhere in the world. The pension is paid out directly by the Swiss compensation office, generally in the currency of the country of residence. You may also choose to have your benefits paid into a personal postal or bank account in Switzerland. Helplessness allowances and supplementary benefits are only paid if you are resident in Switzerland.

Voluntary OASI/IV

Swiss nationals who do not live in an EU/EFTA member state may join the voluntary OASI/IV scheme if they had compulsory insurance cover for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to their departure. Enrolment in the Swiss voluntary OASI/IV system does not exempt you from enrolling in a compulsory insurance system in your country of residence or employment. Employed persons contribute 10.1% of their salary to the pension fund. The minimum annual contribution is CHF 950. The voluntary OASI/IV system offers protection against the risks of old age, disability and death, in particular to persons who are not gainfully employed and who in many cases are not entitled to join a foreign social security scheme.

Special provisions for people employed by a Swiss company

Special provisions apply to persons who live abroad and are employed and on the payroll of an employer based in Switzerland and to their accompanying spouses abroad provided they are not gainfully employed. For further information, please contact your OASI office.

OASI pensioners (1st pillar) and pension fund beneficiaries (2nd pillar)

Make sure that pension payments from your old-age and survivors' insurance (OASI), your pension fund or other insurance policies you have taken out are being properly transferred to you. Whenever you change your address, you must inform the OASI compensation office, your pension fund and insurance provider. The Swiss Compensation Office (SCO) sends all persons who are receiving benefits a certificate of life and marital status form each year. To ensure uninterrupted payment of your pension, please return the form to the SCO within 90 days, duly endorsed by your local authority, or any other officially recognised administration.

Taxation of pension fund income

Switzerland imposes a withholding tax on pension fund income if the beneficiary resides abroad. Double taxation agreements sometimes allow the withholding tax to be waived or to be reclaimed by the pension recipient in their country of residence.

Social assistance for Swiss citizens abroad

In certain circumstances, the FDFA's Social Assistance Service for the Swiss Abroad (SAS) provides social assistance to Swiss nationals living abroad who have run into financial difficulty. If you find yourself in financial distress, you must first make every effort to manage with your own resources. If you really cannot manage on your own, you should try to get financial help from your family or from friends or acquaintances. You should also find out what social assistance or other support you can receive from the authorities in your country of residence. Support from the SAS should be a measure of last resort.