How much AHV pension will I get? The 2026 amounts and the 44-year rule
Updated · 2 sources
Direct answer
In 2026 a full AHV old-age pension is between CHF 1,260 and CHF 2,520 per month depending on your average lifetime income, and a married couple's two pensions are capped together at CHF 3,780 (150% of the maximum). 'Full' requires 44 contribution years; every missing year cuts the pension by 1/44, and from December 2026 pensioners also receive the new 13th AHV pension payment.
Key facts
- 2026 full pension: CHF 1,260 (minimum) to CHF 2,520 (maximum) per month, 13 payments a year
- Average income of CHF 90,720+ over the career reaches the maximum; CHF 15,120 or less gives the minimum
- Couples: both pensions together capped at CHF 3,780 per month (150%)
- Early withdrawal and deferral are possible; childcare and care credits count as fictitious income (3× the annual minimum pension)
The two ingredients: years and average income
Your pension is set by how many years you contributed (44 for a full pension, counted from age 21 to reference age) and by your revalued average annual income across those years, including childcare and care credits. The scale is deliberately steep at the bottom: average income up to CHF 15,120 already yields the minimum pension of CHF 1,260, and from CHF 90,720 the pension is capped at CHF 2,520 no matter how much more you earned.
That cap is why the 2nd pillar and Pillar 3a exist: AHV alone replaces most of a low income but only a small share of a high one. From December 2026 the 13th AHV pension adds one extra monthly payment per year (1/12 of the year's pension total), a change voters approved in March 2024.
| 2026 AHV amount | Per month | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum full pension | CHF 1,260 | 44 years, low average income |
| Maximum full pension | CHF 2,520 | 44 years, average income ≥ CHF 90,720 |
| Married couple cap | CHF 3,780 combined | 150% of maximum, split between spouses |
What you can still influence
Three levers remain open during your career. Close contribution gaps while the 5-year back-payment window is open (each saved year is worth 1/44 of pension). Make sure childcare credits are split correctly between parents in the pension calculation. And time the start: drawing early reduces the pension, deferring by 1 to 5 years increases it, and working past reference age can now be credited toward gaps and a one-time recalculation.
For a binding figure, request a provisional pension calculation (Rentenvorausberechnung) from your compensation fund; online estimators cannot see your individual account (IK) and credits.
FAQ
- What is the maximum AHV pension in 2026?
- CHF 2,520 per month for a single person with a full 44-year contribution record and an average income of at least CHF 90,720, paid 13 times a year from 2026. A married couple receives at most CHF 3,780 combined.
- How many years do I need for a full AHV pension?
- 44 contribution years. Each missing year reduces the pension by 1/44 (about 2.27%), which is why checking your IK extract for gaps matters.
- What is the 13th AHV pension?
- An additional monthly pension payment each December, equal to 1/12 of the total AHV old-age pension paid that year, first paid in December 2026 following the March 2024 referendum. It does not apply to disability or survivors' pensions.
- Can I find out my expected AHV pension before retiring?
- Yes. Your compensation fund (Ausgleichskasse) can run a provisional calculation (Rentenvorausberechnung) from your individual account; it is free in many cases, for example when approaching retirement.
Related guides
- 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.
- How much tax does Pillar 3a actually save? CHF 1,100 to 2,500 a yearAt the 2026 maximum contribution of CHF 7,258, Pillar 3a saves you CHF 7,258 times your marginal tax rate each year: about CHF 1,090 at 15%, CHF 1,815 at 25% and CHF 2,540 at 35%. It is partly a deferral, because withdrawals are taxed later, but at a separate reduced rate and often in a lower-income year, so most savers keep a real share of the saving.
- How to check and fix AHV contribution gaps before they cut your pensionEvery missing AHV contribution year cuts your old-age pension by 1/44 (about 2.3%) for life, but gaps can be back-paid within 5 years and youth years (17–20) can fill older ones. Order the free individual account extract (IK-Auszug) from ahv-iv.ch, compare every year from age 21 to retirement age against your salary certificates, and contest wrong entries within 30 days of receiving the statement.