Hello, I’ve heard somewhere (alas don’t remember anymore where) that you have five years after moving to Switzerland to transfer your “working years” contributions from your home country to the Swiss AHV system. I have some 20 years worth of contributions in my home EU country and 5 years limit is fast approaching so I thought I’d ask if anyone has heard that it is possible to “buy in” into AHV or BVG this way.
Many thanks and happy Easter holiday to everyone!
And the country is, my guess, Greece?
I have the impression that you may have remembered something incorrectly.
If you work in a EU/EEA/EFTA country, your accumulated pension benefits in that country stay in that country until you eventually retire. There may be some provisions for non-compulsory contributions like the Swiss 2nd pillar part that is not compulsory (Überobligatorium).
There are, however, two 5-year-limits that you may be referring to:
- Pillar 1 (AHV/AVS), where as a former Swiss resident with residence abroad outside EU/EEA you may buy up to 5 years into the AHV.
If you have moved to Switzerland from abroad and were never previously affiliated with a Swiss pension scheme, your maximum annual buy-in amount is limited to 20% of your insured salary for the first 5 years after joining a Swiss pension fund for the first time. (Source: German, Was tun bei Beitragslücken?)
- Pillar 2 (Pensionskasse, BVG), where as an foreigner moving into Switzerland during the first 5 years you can close a pension gap. Here, as far as I can see, there is no limitation on if you are an EU resident or not.
If you have moved to Switzerland from abroad and were never previously insured with a Swiss pension institution, you may make pension buy-ins up to a maximum of 20% of your insured salary per year during the first 5 years after your relocation. (Source: Einkauf in die Pensionskasse)
- In the 1st case, I don’t see any chance of you closing any gaps as this measure is intended for Swiss residents who move back from abroad. If you’re not sure, inquire with your cantonal SVA.
- In the 2nd case, you may be still eligible to do a bigger buy in than you would otherwise be allowed. It is best to check with your pension fund.
Otherwise, if I have misunderstood your question, you may want to more specific.
1 Like
Thanks so much. 5 years limit is expiring next month so this information is very much appreciated.
For the second case, if we miss this 5 year period, we’ll not be able to buy into 2nd pillar ever again?
The 5 year rule is a limit. In the first 5 years you can only pay 20%. After that you have no limit.
I know someone who thought they only had 5 years and so paid into pension fund in a panic, and it was a bad mistake.
Oh ok, so it’s actually better to wait for 5 years to expire. And I was stressing all this time 
Thank you everyone so much!
1 Like
- OASI (AHV): The 5-year limit applies to closing gaps in your benefits. Gaps in your benefits can only occur after you are already enrolled in the AHV. So this is irrelevant in your case.
- Pillar 2 (occupational pension funds): As a newcomer to Switzerland, you will generally have a large gap in your occupational pension fund. You can make voluntary “buy-ins” to close this gap, and those buy-ins are tax deductible. There are few situations that I know of in which you can directly transfer foreign pension benefits to the Swiss pillar 2. You would normally have to withdraw your foreign benefits, if that is an option, and then use that money to make a buy-in. From a Swiss standpoint, that transaction would be tax-neutral (until you retire, after which your Swiss pension will be taxed). Of course, you may be taxed for the withdrawal in your former home country.
2 Likes