- The Swiss electorate will vote on the reform of occupational pensions on September 22nd. The Federal Council decided this today.
- An alliance of opponents of the pension fund reform passed by Parliament submitted the referendum in June 2023.
- Resistance to the BVG reform comes from, among others, the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB), the SP and the Greens.
By amending the Federal Act on Occupational Retirement, Survivors’ and Disability Pensions, the Federal Council wants to make occupational pensions fit for the future.
Due to the aging of society, pension funds recently had to spend more money on financing current pensions than had previously been saved by employers and employees. The conversion rate for calculating pensions is to fall from 6.8 to 6.0 percent.
According to Parliament’s plans, part of the transition generation should be compensated with a supplement to their pension.
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In addition to the BVG reform, the people will also vote on the initiative “For the future of our nature and landscape (biodiversity initiative)” on September 22nd. It was launched in September 2020 by Pro Natura, Bird Life Switzerland, the Swiss Homeland Security and other organizers.
According to its supporters, the biodiversity initiative aims to strengthen the protection of nature, the landscape and Switzerland’s built heritage as a joint task between the federal government and the cantons. It wants to ensure that the necessary areas and resources are available to secure endangered biodiversity.
Meanwhile, three other referendums will not be voted on on September 22nd: the referendum against the so-called monism bill, which provides for uniform financing of outpatient and inpatient care (Efas), the expansion of the motorways approved by Parliament and a double referendum against the Adjustments to tenancy law decided in the autumn session of 2023.