Divorce and pension splitting in Switzerland (Vorsorgeausgleich)
Published 2026-10-19 · Updated 2026-10-19 · 3 min read · 3 sources · Verified Swiss federal benchmarks
Direct answer
During divorce, occupational pension (BVG) benefits built while married are split equally between spouses (Vorsorgeausgleich). AHV splitting (Plittentente) applies to income during marriage and can affect each person’s future pension. Full AHV today ranges CHF 1,260–2,520 per month; each missing contribution year reduces the pension by about 1/44.
Key facts
- BVG: assets from marriage period divided 50/50 via pension fund transfer or compensating payment.
- AHV: income splitting for years of marriage can rebalance contribution records.
- Couples’ AHV cap CHF 3,780/month applies while both receive pensions.
- Pillar 3a remains personal property but may appear in overall marital settlement.
- You can order a free IK extract; corrections may fall within a five-year back-pay window.
Two different mechanisms
Vorsorgeausgleich splits BVG built during marriage 50/50. AHV Plittentente reallocates marriage-year income on contribution records. Both are separate from bank accounts.
Pillar 3a is personal but often offset in the global settlement. Reference age is 65; women transition by birth year.
Example: BVG split (illustration)
Assume (not a forecast) CHF 120,000 of BVG mandatory benefits accrued during a ten-year marriage. Each spouse’s share from that period is CHF 60,000. The fund transfers credits to the ex-spouse’s pension account or pays a settlement if they have no Swiss pension.
The split uses values at the time of division, not future projections. Interest and conversion at retirement follow fund rules. If one spouse buys in CHF 40,000 during marriage, that increase may still sit inside the marriage-period pot unless the court orders otherwise.
| Asset | Total accrued in marriage | Each spouse |
|---|---|---|
| BVG mandatory (example) | CHF 120,000 | CHF 60,000 |
| 3a (personal account) | Not auto-split by BVG law | Negotiated separately |
AHV after divorce
Once divorced, each person is treated individually for the AHV maximum. The married couples’ cap of CHF 3,780 per month no longer applies when both receive pensions.
A full pension still requires 44 contribution years. Youth years between 17 and 20 can fill up to three gap years. Each missing year costs roughly one forty-fourth of a full pension. Order a free IK extract on ahv-iv.ch to see both records before signing.
From December 2026, eligible AHV recipients receive a 13th monthly payment under the same rules as other pensions.
Practical steps
Collect pension certificates from every employer and fund covering the marriage years. Missing a small pension from an old job delays the split.
Ask the compensation office about Plittentente deadlines and required forms. Coordinate with your lawyer so the divorce agreement lists each fund by name and policy number.
Update death benefit and life insurance beneficiaries after the decree. A former spouse named on old forms can still inherit if you forget to change them.
Common mistakes
Trading away BVG rights for cash without valuing future pension loss, especially near age 65.
Assuming 3a is invisible because it is personal; courts regularly count it in the asset pool.
Signing before all foreign pension rights are disclosed when one spouse worked abroad.
Ignoring the three-year BVG buy-in lock on future capital withdrawal when negotiating who keeps the larger account.
FAQ
- Does splitting reduce my own BVG account?
- Yes. The ex-spouse receives an equal share of marriage-period credits from your fund or via offsetting assets in the settlement.
- What about Pillar 3a?
- 3a is private savings. It is not part of Vorsorgeausgleich but courts may offset 3a against other assets in the global settlement.
- Can we agree not to split pensions?
- Waivers are restricted for mandatory BVG. Do not rely on informal promises; only agreements that meet legal form protect you.
- Does divorce change the AHV couples’ cap?
- After divorce you are treated as individuals for AHV maxima. Each person can receive up to the individual full pension range if contributions qualify.
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Keep reading
- Pension or lump sum in Switzerland: how to decideAt retirement you often choose between a monthly BVG pension and a one-time capital payout from your pension fund. A full AHV pension in 2026 is CHF 1,260–2,520 per month; couples are capped at CHF 3,780. Lump sums are taxed separately at a reduced rate, but buy-ins must stay in the fund for at least three years before you withdraw capital.
- BVG buy-ins in Switzerland: deductibility and the three-year ruleVoluntary BVG buy-ins (Einkauf) are tax-deductible in the year you pay, within limits set by your pension fund. Each buy-in starts a three-year waiting period before you may withdraw that money as a lump sum at retirement. BVG applies from CHF 22,680 annual salary, with coordination deduction CHF 26,460 and insured salary capped at CHF 90,720.
- Retiring early in Switzerland: pension reductions and cash needsEarly retirement is possible but pensions are permanently reduced. AHV can start before 65 with a lower monthly amount; deferral by 1–5 years increases it instead. Plan for health premiums (franchise CHF 300–2,500, retention 10% cap CHF 700) and lost salary years that also cut AHV (1/44 per missing year toward 44 years).
- Guide: Swiss gross-to-net salary in 2026: AHV, ALV, BVG and taxes explainedIn Switzerland, mandatory employee social security and pension deductions reduce gross salary by roughly 10% to 16% before income tax: 5.30% for AHV/IV/EO, 1.10% for ALV (up to CHF 148,200), ~1.3% for NBU/KTG, and 3.5% to 9.0% of coordinated salary for the 2nd-pillar pension (BVG/LPP).
- Guide: Pillar 3a maximum for 2026: CHF 7,258 or 20% of incomeIn 2026 you can pay up to CHF 7,258 into Pillar 3a if you have a pension fund. Without one, the limit is 20% of net earned income, up to CHF 36,288.