Interest rates and new Pension Fund regulations

The interest rate for Pension Fund assets is 1.25% for 2018.

From 2019, a five-year period will apply to cohabiting partner's and surviving spouse's pensions.

Interest rate

The Board of Trustees has set the interest rate for the pension capital savings and retirement capital savings pension pots at 1.25% for 2018. At the same time, it has approved a prospective interest rate of 1% for 2019. The prospective interest rate determines the intrayear interest on retirement savings capital.

The Pension Fund's financial situation was slightly down in 2018, in a capital market environment characterized by uncertainty. The coverage ratio now stands at around 113%, compared to 116% at the end of 2017. The investment performance was -0.5%. These figures take into account all future retirement losses.

The primary goal of the Board of Trustees is to maintain the financial stability of the Pension Fund sustainably and for the long term. Particular attention is paid to achieving the target fluctuation reserve, the value of which is reached at a coverage ratio of 116%.

2019 Pension Fund regulations

The Pension Fund regulations valid for 2019 are available on the website of the Pension Fund at  under the "Download" section. 

Important changes: The periods of eligibility for both cohabiting partner's benefits and for surviving spouse's pensions have been increased to five years.

Existing cohabiting partner contracts or order of beneficiaries forms that have been submitted to the Pension Fund will remain valid. Please note, however, that the five-year periods apply with immediate effect. The forms can be found in the "Download" section of our website.

• Cohabiting partners are entitled to benefits if they have been living in a joint household with the insured for at least five years without interruption, pursuant to Art. 61 (2)(c), and if they fulfill all the other conditions.
• Spouses are entitled to a pension if the marriage lasted for at least five years, pursuant to Art. 62(1)(b), and if they fulfill all the other conditions for a pension.