Occupational benefits for the unemployed
If you are unemployed and receive a daily allowance from unemployment insurance you must be insured against the risks of disability and death by the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution.
Note: You may continue to be voluntarily insured by the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution if you have withdrawn from compulsory insurance due to unemployment or if you would like to supplement your compulsory pension benefits. Read more
Services
If you are unemployed and are already insured with another pension scheme, you can request exemption from the contribution obligation. Insured persons receiving daily allowances from unemployment insurance are automatically insured with the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution for the risks of disability and death.
Questions and answers
- All unemployed persons who meet the requirements for drawing a daily allowance from unemployment insurance and whose daily allowance is higher than CHF 87.10 (2025). The insurance begins once the waiting period has expired.
- Persons who have voluntarily insured themselves with an occupational benefits institution to the extent of the mandatory benefits are not insured. The exemption from the occupational pension scheme for the unemployed must be applied for in writing from the Substitute Occupational Benefit Institution (Application for exemption).
- The insurance covers the risks of death and disability, but not the risk of retirement.
- If the insured person received a daily allowance of CHF 87.10 (2025) from unemployment insurance at the start of the incapacity for work (illness or accident) or at the time of death.
- If the onset of the incapacity for work or the time of death is not during the waiting period.
- The corresponding application form (disability/death) must be completed and submitted together with other documents.
- Completed and signed Application for disability benefits with details of the payout location (bank details) and duty to pay withholding tax
- Disability insurance ruling
- Proof of available mandatory retirement assets upon joining risk insurance for the unemployed (account statements, vested benefits account, last pension certificate)
- Other insurance rulings/insurance statements (e.g. accident insurance)
- Up-to-date evidence of education for children over the age of 18 with details of the expected duration of education (with regard to payment of the disabled person’s child’s pension beyond the regulatory age limit)
- Copies of the childrens’ birth certificates
- Copy of the family booklet
- Any certificate of appointment of the deputy or power of attorney
- Completed and signed application for survivors’ benefits with details of the payout location (bank details) and duty to pay withholding tax
- Medical certificate on cause of death
- Copy of death certificate and list of heirs
- Copy of the updated family booklet or certificate of partnership
- Up-to-date evidence of education for children over the age of 18 with details of the expected duration of education (with regard to payment of the orphan’s pension beyond the regulatory age limit)
- Copy of the OASI ruling
- In the event of corresponding obligation to pay benefits: Copy of the ruling issued by the acci-dent or military insurer
- For beneficiaries from a previous marriage or previous registered partnership: Copy of the divorce decree or declaration of dissolution
- Copy of the OASI ruling on entitlement to survivors’ benefits
- Any certificate of appointment of the deputy or power of attorney
- A confirmation of receipt will be issued within a few days. In the event of disability, the review may take several months, depending on the file situation and complexity.
Documents
Contact
Contact
Stiftung Auffangeinrichtung BVG
Risikoversicherung für Arbeitslose (ALV)
8050 Zürich
+41 41 799 75 75
+41 44 468 23 97
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