Dear customers,

The office in Bellinzona will be exceptionally closed on Monday afternoon, 4 december 2023. 

Thank you for your understanding.  

Dear customers,

From Friday 1 December 2023 until further notice, our Collection will be available as follows: You can contact us Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding.

With effect from 1 October 2023, the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution is adjusting the interest rate for vested benefits accounts from 0.25 to 0.30 per cent.

Dear customers,

On Thursday 28 September 2023, these will close at 4 p.m. due to an internal event.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear customers,

From Monday 25 September 2023 until further notice, our Backoffice LOB in Lausanne will be available as follows: You can contact us Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear clients

On Monday, September 18 2023, is the Day after the Federal Fast. Therefore, our office in Lausanne will be closed.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear clients

On Monday, September 11 2023, the traditional «Knabenschiessen» will take place in Zurich. Therefore, our counter in Zurich will be closed that afternoon and our telephones will not be answered in German.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear customers,

From Monday 4 September 2023 until further notice, our benefits service in Zurich will be available as follows:

Accessibility by telephone: You can contact us Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Callback service: If you call outside of telephone hours, you will be able to arrange a time for a callback.

Other concerns: You can inform us of these quickly and easily via our online services.

Thank you for your understanding.

In many sectors of the economy, the digital exchange of data has been working perfectly for a long time now. Only in pillar 2 are we still struggling with different formats and types of transmission. The transfer of vested benefits does not meet today’s economic and environmental standards, creates a great deal of administrative work and involves unnecessary costs.

Come and see us or take part on line: on Thursday, 30 June 2022 from 2 to 4 p.m., we will be giving you all the key facts about BVG Exchange and letting you share in our vision for the future of data exchange in pillar 2.  We will then be pleased to invite you to a networking drinks and canapés. NB: the event will be held in German.

How does the exchange of data between pension funds take place with LOB Exchange? What advantages does the platform offer? What else do you need to know about using BVG Exchange? We’ll be pleased to answer these and other questions during our event.

Programme

• 2 to 4 p.m.: Welcome – Marc Gamba, CEO
• 2.10 to 2.30 p.m.: Current situation – Roman Senti, Head of IT
• 2.30 to 3 p.m.: Live demo, interaction between LOB Exchange and Apollo – Dalibor Oresic, Client Service Team Leader
• 3 to 3.30 p.m.: What do our clients say? – Patrick Nasciuti, member of GastroSocial management
• 3,30 to 3.45 p.m.: Outlook – Roman Senti, Head of IT
• 3.45 p.m.: Questions
• followed by, networking drinks and canapés

Details of the event

• Date: Thursday, 30 June 2022
• Time: 2 to 4 p.m., followed by networking drinks and canapés until around 6 p.m.
• Venue: 8050 Zürich-Oerlikon or online
• The event is free of charge.

Registering

Please register by Friday, 10 june 2022 at the latest with the following details: company name, surname, first name, job title (if more than one participant, please state separately) and participation option (online or in person).

We look forward to your attendance.

We will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Stiftung Auffangeinrichtung BVG
Elias-Canetti-Strasse 2
8050 Zürich
bvg-exchange@aeis.ch

https://exchange.aeis.ch/

Dear clients

Tuesday, 15 august 2023 is Ascension. For this reason, our Bellinzona location will be closed.

Thank you for your understanding.  

Dear clients

Tuesday 1 August 2023 is Swiss National Day. For this reason, our Client Service Desks will be closed and our telephones will not be operated from Monday 31 July 2023, 16.00. We will be happy to advise you again from Wednesday 2nd August 2023.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear Customers,

In French-speaking Switzerland in particular, there has recently been an increase in telephone calls from people claiming to be employees of the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution LOB.

 A criminal charge against unknown persons has already been filed.

Important information: we do not call customers without notifying them in advance of specific topics. In addition, we do not ask anyone to transfer money to an account for no reason. Furthermore, we do not charge any account management fees. This means the claim that fees are saved with another provider is wrong. In general, if you receive calls requiring you to take action, which otherwise threaten consequences, you should regard them as suspicious.

In the event of fraudulent calls purporting to be on behalf of the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution LOB, please write down the name and telephone number and report the incident to us immediately. As a customer, you also have the option of reporting such callers to the police. At all events, this is tantamount to criminal conduct.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to resolve these fraudulent cases.

Dear customers

Thursday, 29 June 2023 is a public holiday in Ticino (Peter and Paul). For this reason, our Bellinzona office will be closed.

Thank you for your understanding.

With effect from 1 July 2023, the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution is adjusting the interest rate for vested benefits accounts from 0.01 to 0.25 per cent.

Dear customers

Thursday, 8 June 2023 is Corpus Christi. For this reason, our Bellinzona location will be closed.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear clients

Monday 29 May 2023 is Pentecost Monday. For this reason, our receptions and telephone lines will be closed on this day and we will be happy to advise you again from Tuesday 30 May 2023.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear Clients

Thursday 18 May 2023 is Ascension Day. For this reason, our receptions and telephone lines will be closed from 16.00 on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, till Friday, May 19, 2023.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear clients

On Labour Day on Monday, 1 May 2023, our Client Service Desks will be closed and our telephones will not be operated. We will be happy to be at your service again at the usual opening hours from Tuesday, 2 May 2023.

Thank you for noting this information.

Dear Clients

During the processing of your annual statements of account, the Client Service department will be available to you as follows.

Telephone contacts: From 23th January until 3th March 2023, we are expecting a high number of calls. It’s best to call us between 1.30 pm and 5 pm.

Transfers: For transfers of your vested benefits to a pension fund or vested benefits foundation, please use the webform.

Other matters: Our online services offer you the possibility of conveying these quickly and easily too.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear clients

Please note our opening hours during the holiday period: on Monday 26th December and on Friday 30th December 2022 until and including Monday 2nd January 2023, our Client Service Desks will be closed and our telephone lines will not be manned. We’ll be there to speak to you again on Thursday 29th December 2022 until 16.00 h. And we’ll be pleased to assist you from Tuesday 3rd January 2023 during the usual opening hours.

Thank you for noting this information and Merry Christmas!

The Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution has set the 2023 interest rates for the mandatory and extra-mandatory retirement savings capital. The pensions will be adjusted for inflation in accordance with the law.

Payment of interest

• The interest on vested benefits accounts remains unchanged at 0.01%.
• The interest on mandatory retirement savings capital will be reduced from 1.25% to 1.00%.
• The interest on extra-mandatory retirement savings capital will be reduced from 0.35% to 0.10%.
• The interest on additional account assets remains unchanged at 0.01%.

Adjustment of pensions for inflation

• Retirement provisions (Occupational Pensions Act BVG/LPP provision) are not adjusted for inflation.
• The survivors’ and invalidity pensions paid in accordance with BVG/LPP and unemployment insurance (ALV) are adjusted for inflation in accordance with the law (Media release dated 20 October 2022 - german).

Dear customers

We have expanded our call service. For certain matters dealt with by the Benefits department, you can now choose a date and time for a call. Where we offer this service for the required subject, you will find access, below right on the Website, to the date/time booking options in each case, such as for example here.

Dear customers

On Friday, 2 September 2022, our counters will be closed and our telephones will not be answered.

We will be pleased to assist you again from Monday, 5 September 2022.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear clients

Like many other pension funds, the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution LOB has also adapted its investment activity due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Foundation will, with immediate effect and until further notice, be making no new investments in Russian stocks, shares or bonds and is withdrawing from existing ones. This affects 0.05 per cent of the investments or around 11 million out of 20.5 billion francs of investment volume.

Dear customers

As from Thuesday 1st March 2022, we are able to receive you in person again at our reception offices in Zürich, Lausanne and Bellinzona.

The opening hours are as follows:

Zürich:                                                    08.30 – 11.30 h / 13.30 – 16.30 h
Lausanne and Bellinzona:             08.00 – 12.00 h / 13.30 – 17.00 h

Many answers can already be found on our customer website:

• Transfers: For transfers of your vested benefits to a pension fund or vested benefits foundation, please use the webform.
  
  
• Other matters: Our online services offer you the possibility of conveying these quickly and easily too.

Dear customers

Your health and ours is important to us. That’s why, until further notice, we will be advising you in person at our customer reception desks only after prior arrangement by telephone.

You can reach us by telephone under the following numbers:

• Zurich 041 799 75 75
• Lausanne 021 340 63 33
• Bellinzona 091 610 24 24

Many answers can already be found on our customer website, and our web forms will help you to address your concerns. You can also contact us in writing, you will find our address under this Link.

Many thanks for your active participation and for your understanding.

The Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution is increasing the interest rates for the mandatory and extra-mandatory retirement savings capital as of 1 January 2022. The pensions will be adjusted for inflation in accordance with the law.

Payment of interest

• The interest on vested benefits accounts remains unchanged at 0.01 %.
• The interest on mandatory retirement savings capital will be increased from 1.00 % to 1.25 %. The minimum interest rate set by the Federal Council is 1.00 %.
• The interest on extra-mandatory retirement savings capital will be increased from 0.10 % to 0.35 %.
• The interest on additional account assets remains unchanged at 0.01 %.

Adjustment of pensions for inflation 

• Retirement provisions (Occupational Pensions Act LOB provision) are not adjusted for inflation.
• The survivors’ and invalidity pensions paid in accordance with LOB and unemployment insurance (ALV) are adjusted for inflation in accordance with the law (Media release of the Federal Social Insurance Office dated 19 October 2021 (german)).

Our Customer Service will be closed from 24th until 26th December and again from 31st December 2021 until 2nd January 2022. You can contact us on 30th December until the earlier closing time of 4 pm.

Thank you for your understanding.

You can reach us by telephone under the following numbers:

• Zurich 041 799 75 75
• Lausanne 021 340 63 33
• Bellinzona 091 610 24 24

Many answers can already be found on our customer website, and our web forms will help you to address your concerns. You can also contact us in writing, you will find our address under this Link.

Many thanks for your active participation and for your understanding.

In response to popular request from our customers, we are adapting our payment arrangements: as from 1st January 2022, we will now be transferring pension payments each month in advance. This change does not affect the amount of the pension entitlement.

Starting this week, the information letter will be sent to our retired pension fund members and to the appropriate offices.

Many customer issues can be dealt with conveniently online too rather than by telephone. With our online services, we offer you the opportunity to submit the details required to us quickly and straightforwardly. In certain cases we are happy to call you back. Simply book an appointment with us.

Web forms  

Select our online services, your category: individual, company or pension institution and find out whether it is possible to have the relevant matter handled electronically.

Call service

To clarify specific topics, you are welcome to select an appointment for us to call you back. If we offer this service for the topic required, you will find access to booking an appointment on the lower right on the website, for example here. 

Further online services planned

We are making every effort to constantly further develop the service for our customers. In the future, you will find other web forms and alternative contact options for specific topic areas on our website. Please note that there are matters which we can only address in the future in written form or by telephone for data protection reasons. Thank you very much.

Dear customers

As from Thursday 1st July 2021, we are able to receive you in person again at our reception offices in Zürich, Lausanne and Bellinzona.

The opening hours are as follows:

Zürich:                                            08.30 – 11.30 h / 13.30 – 16.30 h
Lausanne and Bellinzona:           08.00 – 12.00 h / 13.30 – 17.00 h

Please note that it may be necessary to wait as, due to the protective measures we have put in place against COVID-19, we can receive only one person at a time (with no more than one accompanying person). Whenever possible, particularly for more complex questions, it is advisable to arrange an appointment in advance by calling us on one of the following telephone numbers:

• Zürich:                041 799 75 75
• Lausanne:          021 340 63 33
• Bellinzona:        091 610 24 24

Our staff are also still available to help you by phone on these telephone numbers.

If you have any cold or flu symptoms and/or have recently returned from a higher risk region, please do not come to our reception offices.

Many thanks in advance for your active cooperation.

Dear customers

Your health and ours are important to us. Owing to the measures to tackle the Corona virus, we keep our customer reception desks closed. Our employees will be happy to advise you by telephone from their home office.

Many answers can already be found on our customer website, and our web forms will help you to address your concerns:

• FZK: Transfer vested benefits    https://forms.aeis.ch/uebertragfzk
• FZK: Mutation Personal data      https://forms.aeis.ch/mutationfzk
• LOB: Transfer vested benefits    https://forms.aeis.ch/uebertragbvg

You can also contact us in writing, you will find our address under this Link.

Or you can reach us by telephone under the following numbers:

• Zurich 041 799 75 75
• Lausanne 021 340 63 33
• Bellinzona 091 610 24 24

Many thanks for your active participation and for your understanding.

Dear customers

For some time now, we have recorded a large growth in our vested benefits accounts, and, as a result, an even greater increase in customer inquiries. Our team is working on additional assignements to answer all inquiries as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, the processing of your case may be delayed. 

We ask for your patience and understanding.

Due to contradictory and partly incorrect information circulating about various pension plans of the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution the Foundation has decided to provide some clarification on this matter. It should be noted in particular that the W20 plans introduced by the Foundation on 1 January 2020 aim to reduce the increasingly high conversion losses at the expense of active insured persons. This measure was urgently needed to combat the misuse of the obligation to contract with the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution.

The Foundation under private law, which is supported by the employees' and employers' associations, is a non-profit organisation and safety net for occupational benefits. On behalf of the Swiss Government, it insures all employers and individuals requesting affiliation with the mandatory occupational benefits scheme (BVG) and has the legal mandate to offer other voluntary special plans. Notably, it is the only occupational benefits institution that provides vested benefits accounts (FZK) and insures all unemployed persons against the risks of death and disability (ALV). BVG, FZK, ALV business areas and Reinstatement control (WAK) maintain separate accounts.

W20 plans as voluntary BVG insurance for individuals

The W20 plans ((verlinken Übersichtsdokument)) relate to the BVG area. They build on the W-plans that existed up until the end of 2019 and ensure maintain of retirement provision.  The change essentially relates to the switch to an enveloping conversion rate in a special plan. The relatively high conversion rate of 6.8 percent for mandatory part and 5.0 percent for extra-mandatory part has been reduced to 4.2 percent (enveloping).).

The Foundation felt compelled to take this measure as insured persons with high earnings often switched to the substitute Pension Fund shortly before starting their pension to benefit from the high conversion rates without having made a sufficient amount of contributions. The original idea and legal mandate for W-plans for individuals has therefore been undermined. The Foundation felt compelled to make these adjustments to the W-plans to prevent misuse and ultimately generational injustice at the expense of the active insured. These plans are based on Art. 60 (2c) in conjunction with Art. 47 BVG and coordinated with the Occupational Pension Supervisory Commission (OPSC) as the supervisory authority for the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution.

Improved position of insured persons through Art. 47a BVG and Covid-19 Act

In this context the new Art. 47a BVG should also be noted:: from 1 January 2021 an insured person who leaves the mandatory insurance scheme after reaching the age of 58 because the employment relationship has been terminated by the employer can continue the insurance  in the current amount with their previous occupational benefits institution. Based on the Covid-19 Act, insured persons after reaching the age of 58 can also apply for this insurance to be continued if they leave mandatory insurance after 31 July 2020 because the employer has terminated the employment relationship.  . Since the Substitute Institution d only insures the statutory minimum benefits, many insured persons benefit more by retiring with their previous pension fund.

Zero-interest account in the FZK business area

The zero-interest account with the Federal Treasury, which the substitute Pension Fund has been granted access to for a limited period of time and under strict conditions as of 1 October 2020, applies only to the FZK business area. The Substitute Occupational Institution is also subject here to a contracting obligation and manages 1.2 million vested benefits accounts with CHF 15.5 billion in assets. There have been strong inflows of funds into the FZK area of the Substitute Occupational Institution since interest rates turned negative. It is currently not possible to invest funds securely and provide the capital guarantee required by law. The Substitute Institution has not yet had to make use of the zero interest account.

Dr Lukas Müller-Brunner is taking over from Martin Kaiser as representative of the Employers’ Association and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution LOB from 1st January 2021. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously for election of the Chairman at its meeting today.

Müller-Brunner acquired professional experience at, among other places, Lantal Textiles, in the Auditing department of KPMG, as Research Associate at the Institute of Accounting, Controlling and Auditing at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and as Employee Benefits Adviser at Swisscanto/Prevanto. On 1st April 2020, he joined the Swiss Employers’ Association (SAV) as Head of the Social Policy and Social Security Insurance department and, in this role, took over from Martin Kaiser, who left the Employers’ Association at the end of March. Prior to that, Lukas Müller-Brunner was Assistant Professor of Management & Regulation at the HSG.

The Board of Trustees and the Management should like to thank Martin Kaiser for his many years of dedicated and successful work in the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution and looks forward to working together with Lukas Müller-Brunner in the future.

As from 1st January 2021, people whose employment has been terminated by their employer can continue their insurance with the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution voluntarily. The precondition for this is that they were insured in the Workplace (Employee) Pension Plan and are at least 58 years old. 

As part of the Supplementary Benefits Reform, under the new Art. 47a LOB, employees will, on certain conditions, be able to continue insuring themselves voluntarily with the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution. Either the whole pension provision (new ANWG pension plan) or the risk insurance (new ANWR pension plan) can be continued.

The conditions for this are as follows: 

• The person was previously insured in the Workplace (Employee) Pension Plan of the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution.
• Their employment relationship was dissolved by the employer giving notice or by the conclusion of a mutual termination agreement.
• Their employment relationship was dissolved on 31st July 2020 or later.
• The person is at least 58 years old when their employment relationship ends.

Dear customers

Owing to the measures against COVID-19 decided on by the Canton of Vaud, Reception in Lausanne has been closed with immediate effect. The reception offices in Zurich and Bellinzona are still open, with Bellinzona now having reduced opening hours:

• Lausanne: closed
• Bellinzona: Monday / Wednesday / Friday 9.00 till 11.30 h / 14.00 till 16.00 h
• Zurich: Monday to Friday 8.30 till 11.30 h / 13.30 till 16.30 h

Whenever possible, particularly for more complex questions, it is advisable to arrange an appointment in advance by calling us on one of the following telephone numbers:

• Zürich:        041 799 75 75
• Lausanne:  021 340 63 33
• Bellinzona: 091 610 24 24

Many thanks for your understanding.

Dear customers
As from Monday 7th September 2020, we are able to receive you in person again at our reception offices in Zürich, Lausanne and Bellinzona.
The opening hours are as follows:

Zürich:                                           08.30 – 11.30 h / 13.30 – 16.30 h
Lausanne and Bellinzona:             08.00 – 12.00 h / 13.30 – 17.00 h

Please note that it may be necessary to wait as, due to the protective measures we have put in place against COVID-19, we can receive only one person at a time (with no more than one accompanying person). Whenever possible, particularly for more complex questions, it is advisable to arrange an appointment in advance by calling us on one of the following telephone numbers:

• Zürich:                041 799 75 75
• Lausanne:           021 340 63 33
• Bellinzona:          091 610 24 24

Our staff are also still available to help you by phone on these telephone numbers.
If you have any cold or flu symptoms and/or have recently returned from a higher risk region, please do not come to our reception offices.
Many thanks in advance for your active cooperation.

The Substitute Occ upational Benefit Institution amends the contributions for administration costs as of January 1, 2021:

• The proportional contribution for administration costs, which is levied on the insured salary, increases from 1.4% to 1.5%.
• As of January 1, 2021, the revised Cost Regulations 2021 shall apply as regards the extraordinary administrative costs and fees.

Dear customers
Your and our health is important to us, which is why our customer reception desks remain closed. Our employees will be happy to advise you by telephone.

Many answers can already be found on our customer website, and our web forms will help you to address your concerns: 

• FZK: Transfer vested benefits    https://forms.aeis.ch/uebertragfzk 
• FZK: Mutation Personal data     https://forms.aeis.ch/mutationfzk 
• LOB: Transfer vested benefits   https://forms.aeis.ch/uebertragbvg 

You can also contact us in writing, you will find our address under this Link

Or you can reach us by telephone under the following numbers: 

• Zurich           041 799 75 75
• Lausanne      021 340 63 33
• Bellinzona     091 610 24 24

Many thanks for your active participation and for your understanding.

Dear customers

Postal traffic with many countries is currently restricted due to the coronavirus. You can find more information on the Swiss Post website.

Thank you for your understanding.

The Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution has revised various interest rates downwards as of 1 January 2020. 

Adjustments to interest

• Interest on vested benefits has reduced from 0.1 to 0.01 per cent.
• Interest on supplementary retirement assets has reduced from 1.0 to 0.1 per cent.
• Interest on additional account assets has reduced from 0.1 to 0.01 per cent.

Adjustment of pensions for change in prices

• Retirement provisions (Occupational Pension Act LOB provision) are not adjusted for change in prices.
• Survivors’ and invalidity pensions are adjusted for change in prices in accordance with the law (Medienmitteilung BSV vom 22. Oktober 2019).

Dear customers

For some time now, we have recorded a large growth in our vested benefits accounts, and, as a result, an even greater increase in customer inquiries. Our team is working on additional assignements to answer all inquiries as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, the processing of your case may be delayed. 

We ask for your patience and understanding.

Are you looking for a new job? Here you will find our current job offers.