The 13th AHV pension in 2026: how it works
| 01 | What the 13th AHV pension is |
| 02 | How much it adds (and when it's paid) |
| 03 | Couples and the pension cap |
| 04 | Common questions |
| 05 | See it in your own plan |
From 2026, everyone who gets an AHV old-age pension (the Swiss state pension) also gets a 13th AHV pension payment each year. It's an extra amount on top of the usual twelve monthly payments — roughly one extra month's pension. It comes from the 2024 national vote. For most people it's a simple top-up. For married couples, whose pensions are already capped, how this extra payment fits with that cap follows the official rules — worth checking for your own case.
In one line: from 2026 the AHV pays old-age pensioners a 13th payment each year — about one extra month's worth. For couples, how it fits the pension cap is worth checking.
What the 13th AHV pension is
Until now the AHV (state pension) paid twelve monthly payments a year. From 2026 there's a thirteenth payment too, roughly one extra month, paid on top. It's part of the normal state pension, so it's based on the pension you already get. A bigger pension means a bigger 13th payment.
How much it adds (and when it's paid)
The 13th AHV payment follows your existing pension, so it's roughly one-twelfth more AHV per year. The exact amount — and when in the year it's paid — follows the official rules. You can check with your AHV office for your own case.
A quick example (made up, to show the idea): someone who gets a given monthly AHV pension would receive that same amount again as a 13th payment over the year. The exact figure depends on your own pension and follows the official rules.
Couples and the pension cap
A married couple's two AHV pensions are capped at a maximum combined level. So two married pensioners usually get less together than two singles with the same record. How the 13th payment works with that cap follows the official rules. If you're a couple, it's worth checking how it applies to you.
Common questions
What is the 13th AHV pension?
From 2026, AHV old-age pensioners get an extra payment each year on top of the twelve monthly ones — roughly one extra month's pension.
How much is the 13th AHV pension?
It follows your existing pension — roughly one-twelfth more AHV per year — so a bigger pension means a bigger 13th payment. The exact amount follows the official rules.
Do couples get the full 13th AHV payment?
A married couple's pensions are capped; how the 13th payment fits that cap follows the official rules, so couples should check their own case.
When did the 13th AHV pension start?
From 2026, after the 2024 national vote.
See it in your own plan
You don't have to work out what the 13th payment means for your own retirement income. SORVA projects your AHV pension from your contribution record and income, includes the 13th payment from 2026, and applies the couples cap where it fits your situation. You see your projected retirement income year by year, with AHV, your pension fund and Pillar 3a in one picture, calculated with the official Swiss rules rather than rough averages. See what your own pension could look like: create your plan at sorva.ch, free during the public beta.
Educational information, not financial advice. Figures are for 2026 and may change.