Employees who decide to reduce their workload before they reach normal retirement age or who decide to continue working after reaching normal retirement age may maintain their full BVG/LPP coverage.

The Federal Council has adopted a series of measures in favour of older employees. Effective 1 January 2011, members of BVG/LPP pension plans who reduce their degree of employment after age 58 may remain covered at the existing level provided their salary is reduced by no more than one-half.

Conversely, employees who choose to continue working after reaching normal retirement age may continue contributing to their pension plan until they are 70.

These measures, adopted by the Federal Council in December 2009, are designed to further the employment of older employees and facilitate their continued participation in the labour market.

The measures are the first in a three-stage structural occupational benefits reform.