Witwenrente Schweiz: Hinterlassenenrente der AHV

The survivors' pension is a benefit of the AHV (1st pillar) that is paid to the surviving dependants upon the death of an insured person. It comprises three types of pension:

• Widow's pension: For surviving wives and, under certain conditions, also for divorced women.
• Widower's pension: For surviving husbands, as long as they have minor children.
• Orphan's pension: For children who have lost one or both parents.

The survivors' pension is intended to at least partially compensate for the loss of income after the death of a partner or parent. It is paid monthly and is based on the contribution years and the relevant average annual income of the deceased person.

Not every surviving person is automatically entitled to a widow's pension. An overview of the requirements:

• Married widows: Entitlement exists if at least one child is present at the time of death OR if the widow has reached the age of 45 and the marriage lasted at least 5 years.
• Divorced women: Entitlement exists if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the divorce took place after the age of 45, OR if there are children.
• Registered partnership: The surviving partner of a dissolved registered partnership is entitled under the same conditions.

Important: The entitlement to a widow's pension expires upon remarriage. If the new marriage is divorced or dissolved, the entitlement may be revived under certain conditions.

The widow's pension amounts to 80% of the corresponding old-age pension of the deceased person. The amount depends on the contribution years and average income.

As of: Reference values 2026. The minimum pension is paid with a full contribution period and the lowest income; the maximum pension with a full contribution period and high income. Missing contribution years lead to a proportional reduction.

What happens to the widow's pension after retirement? Upon reaching the ordinary retirement age, the widow's pension is replaced by the personal old-age pension. The following applies:

• The widow's pension and the personal old-age pension are not cumulated; only the higher of the two pensions is paid.
• When calculating the old-age pension, a survivor's supplement of 20% may be taken into account, provided this results in a higher pension.
• The maximum old-age pension with survivor's supplement may not exceed the maximum amount of the old-age pension.

In many cases, the old-age pension with survivor's supplement is higher than the previous widow's pension. The compensation office automatically checks which variant is more favourable.

Widower's pension: Widowers are entitled to a widower's pension as long as they have minor children (under 18 years). Once the youngest child reaches adulthood, the widower's pension expires. The amount also corresponds to 80% of the deceased person's old-age pension.

Orphan's pension: Children who have lost a parent receive an orphan's pension amounting to 40% of the corresponding old-age pension. For full orphans (both parents deceased), the two orphan's pensions are added together but may not exceed 60% of the maximum old-age pension.

• The orphan's pension is paid until the 18th year of age.
• For children in education, the entitlement is extended until the 25th year of age.
• The orphan's pension amounts to a minimum of CHF 502 and a maximum of CHF 1,004 per month (reference values 2026).

The survivors' pension must be actively applied for; it is not paid automatically. Here is how to proceed:

• Registration: Register with the AHV compensation office where the deceased person last paid contributions. If the person was already at retirement age, contact the compensation office that last paid the old-age pension.
• Application form: The official application form 'Application for a survivors' pension' is available from the cantonal compensation offices or online at ahv-iv.ch.
• Required documents: Death certificate, family booklet or civil status certificate, AHV card of the deceased person, divorce decree for divorced persons.
• Deadline: Register as soon as possible, as the pension is generally only paid from the month following the application. Retroactive payments are only possible for a maximum of 5 years.

Tip: At the same time, enquire about any benefits from the 2nd pillar (occupational pension) and the 3rd pillar. Accident insurance and military insurance may also provide survivor benefits.