AHV Reform 21: What You Need to Know – Especially as a Woman

What may sound technical at first – things like reference age, pension supplements or early withdrawal rates – can have a profound impact on your lifestyle, financial stability, and retirement decisions.

Especially for women, the reform introduces significant changes. But men, too, need to be aware: retirement planning is becoming more complex, and those who don’t act now may miss key opportunities – or suffer long-term financial losses.

A New Reference Age: Equality or Burden?

Until now, women were eligible for the state pension at age 64, men at 65. Starting in 2025, a uniform retirement age of 65 will apply to both genders. This change will be implemented gradually. For women born between 1961 and 1969, the retirement age increases by three months each year.

Example:
If you were born in 1963, your official retirement age will now be 64 years and 9 months. For many women, that means working an extra year – or retiring earlier and accepting a lifelong reduction in benefits. That’s why careful planning is critical.

Transition Generation: Rewards for Those Who Plan Ahead

The reform includes compensation measures for women affected by the increase in retirement age. If you were born between 1961 and 1969, you’re part of the “transition generation” and may be entitled to a lifelong monthly pension supplement – but only if you don’t take early retirement. Your supplement depends on your average income and year of birth. Lower incomes receive higher monthly bonuses (up to CHF 160), and older birth years within the transition period benefit more.

Example:
Born in 1964 with an average income of CHF 60,000? You could receive a monthly supplement of CHF 100 for the rest of your life. But: if you decide to draw your pension early, the bonus is lost – permanently.

Early Retirement: Greater Flexibility, Bigger Reductions

Yes, early retirement is still possible – as early as age 62. But it now comes with significantly higher cuts. The exact reduction depends on your income and year of birth. In some cases, early retirees will receive up to 11.1% less AHV – for life.

Example:
A high-income woman retiring at 62 might forgo CHF 30,000 to 50,000 in total AHV benefits over her lifetime – simply by drawing too early and without guidance.

Flexible Retirement Sounds Good – but It’s Not Simple

One of the reform’s positives is greater flexibility: you can now draw partial pensions (e.g., 40% now, 60% later) and decide more freely when to retire – between age 63 and 70. Sounds modern? It is. But it requires coordination with your pension fund, tax planning, liquidity forecasts, and timing of private investments like Pillar 3a or vested benefits. Without a financial plan, this flexibility can turn into confusion – or worse, costly missteps.

Why Men Should Pay Attention Too

Even if the retirement age for men remains unchanged at 65, the reform impacts you as well.

• New rules for early withdrawal and deferral apply to everyone

• Partial pensions are now an option for you too

• Changes in the coordination with your occupational pension (BVG) must be considered

Especially for self-employed individuals and business owners, the way you retire – and when – will influence not only your benefits but also taxes, liquidity, and future planning.

Don’t Rely on Good Intentions – Get a Plan Instead

In practice, we often see what we call the patchwork problem: people get financial advice from friends, insurers, online blogs, or even banks – but never tie it together into a real strategy.

Example:
A couple retires early, draws down 3a funds, and cashes out pension savings. Unfortunately, their decisions disqualified them from AHV bonuses – and resulted in a much higher tax bill. A proper plan would have avoided all of that.

Now Is the Time to Take Control

If you’re within 10–15 years of retirement, this is the ideal time to plan. But even if you’re younger, big life decisions (marriage, divorce, home purchase, business changes) can trigger consequences for your pension strategy. Do you want to:

• Retire early – without worrying about running out of money?

• Know the best timing for drawing AHV or BVG benefits?

• Make sure your retirement strategy fits your taxes, liquidity, and long-term goals?

Then you don’t need more tips. You need a comprehensive financial plan.

How Caveo Supports You

At Caveo, we combine expert financial planners with smart, independent tools. We offer:

• A clear overview of your AHV, pension fund, and private savings

• Personalized retirement simulations based on your age and income

• Strategic timing advice for withdrawals and purchases

• Tax optimization and liquidity planning

• A digital action plan with timely reminders via our Caveo app

In short: we turn uncertainty into clarity – and good intentions into real strategies.

Conclusion: The Reform Is an Opportunity – If You Use It Wisely

AHV Reform 21 is not something to fear. It’s an opportunity to take charge of your retirement. But you need a plan that looks beyond just one pillar of the system. Otherwise, you risk missing out on benefits, overpaying taxes, or creating gaps you didn’t anticipate. Book your free first consultation today – via the Caveo App or directly on our website. Because good retirement decisions don’t happen by accident – they happen by design.