Pension fund reform Baume-Schneider calls for smaller reform steps after BVG rejection

Following the resounding "no" to the pension fund reform, Social Affairs Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider does not want to stick with the status quo. Occupational pension provision must be adapted. In order for this to succeed, smaller reform steps will probably be necessary.

"We now have to set priorities," Baume-Schneider told the media in Bern on the evening of Sunday's vote. Smaller reform steps are less complex, more transparent and could convince a majority. "We can see that major reforms are not successful."

For the Federal Council, the situation of people with low incomes is paramount. Many women will continue to receive only a small pension or none at all from the occupational pension scheme. The lowering of the entry threshold and the adjustment to the coordination deduction planned as part of the BVG reform have been dropped. These issues must now be resolved soon.

"Challenges remain"

Baume-Schneider listed various possible reasons for the resounding "no" vote. Various measures had been linked together. The proponents were not united in their support for the reform. Ultimately, there was a great deal of uncertainty about what consequences the reform would have had for each individual person.

However, doing nothing was not an option for the Federal Council. "The challenges in the second pillar remain." The conversion rate in particular is a problem for many pension funds. However, the population wants more transparency about the effects of reforms.

Baume-Schneider announced that she would be contacting the most important players. The Federal Council, Parliament and the social partners would have to assume their responsibilities. "We need to adapt the system to new circumstances."

SDA