In Switzerland, some pensioners with modest incomes divorce to earn a better pension. A separation only in front of the justice, since they continue to live together, to circumvent a law of 1948.
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This is a phenomenon that Swiss lawyers see more and more. Low-income couples are filing for divorce, without actually separating, to get a better pension.
1,200 euro difference
Particularity of the Swiss system, married couples get a pension and a half, against two full pensions for those who are not. The difference can be up to an additional 1,200 euros per month and per couple.
A significant sum, especially when you have a small pension. “I do not want to say that we are ashamed, but almost, to come to this after 50 years of marriage when it is for financial reasons and to be able to survive, it is unfortunate and lamentable“explains this retiree at the microphone of Radio Télévision Suisse.
A 1948 law still in force
This difference in treatment comes from a law dating from 1948. At the time, the idea was to protect housewives to prevent them from receiving anything in retirement. Hence the idea of giving a pension and a half to retired married couples. “In 1948 you always had one of the two people, often the woman, who was at home and who did not contribute“, analyzes the specialized lawyer Pierre Mauron.
“Seventy years ago this system was correct, today it is completely aberrant”develops Pierre Mauron, “for decades, each person in the couple has been working, so each person contributes and is likely to have a pension for themselves“.
The legislation especially penalizes the most modest, such as those who have not been able to build up occupational or capitalization pensions, as most Swiss people do. If the phenomenon is more and more visible, it is still difficult to quantify.
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