“After working hard for so many years, pensioners are being pushed to the margins of society. When it comes to its own people, I no longer see Switzerland as a social country.”

State pensions often only cover basic living costs

State pensions sometimes don’t even cover the essentials. A simple calculation of rent, health insurance and additional expenses shows how quickly the money is spent.

“CHF 2,200 [$2,770] is no longer enough to survive in Switzerland. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment for pensioners is CHF 700, while health insurance costs between CHF 500 and CHF 600,” says one person who responded to the topic. “Food, taxes and electricity usually come to CHF 800.” In Spain, the user adds, CHF 2,200 is more than enough to live comfortably, albinfo.ch reports.

Those who do not own property, who make up the majority of pensioners in Switzerland, can quickly run into financial problems, says user JoanBoa. Rent and health insurance often swallow up the entire state pension, writes swissinfo.

“As a high earner, I have contributed more than 10% of my salary to the state pension scheme for 47 years and paid significant amounts into the occupational pension fund system for more than 40 years,” writes someone with the initials PG. “You would think that in these circumstances I could live a dignified life as a pensioner, right? Not at all!” Two divorces and the subsequent division of his pension have upended his plans and are now forcing him to emigrate.

“I am also one of those who would like to live in Switzerland after retirement, but can’t afford it,” writes user Klausius. By withdrawing money from his pension, he was able to buy a house in the UK. “The state pension is enough to cover my monthly needs here in England,” he adds.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of Swiss citizens receiving their state pension abroad has doubled over the past 20 years, reaching 134,000 by the end of 2024. Countries such as Thailand, Portugal, Spain and South Africa are home to large Swiss communities and are distinguished by a particularly high percentage of pensioners. Between 2023 and 2024, the share of Swiss pensioners increased particularly sharply in Portugal (+16%) and Thailand (+7%).

These countries have a milder climate, surprisingly good health systems and significantly lower living costs. “My wife and I left Switzerland for financial reasons and above all because of the weather and the mild lifestyle,” writes Jean-Claude Chabloz. In Spain, he writes, they managed to buy a house with a sea view just a hundred meters from the beach, which would have been impossible in Switzerland.

A retirement with dignity

Many commentators make it clear that leaving Switzerland is not about luxury, but about dignity. It is about spending the last part of your life without constantly worrying about making a living.

Retirees, they argue, can choose to live in a small one-bedroom apartment and rely on social assistance in Switzerland or leave their homeland with a heavy heart to live a dignified life in a foreign country that offers lower living costs.

User Peter Segessemann says he would have liked to stay in Switzerland. “But my pension and the money in my pension fund would not be enough for a comfortable life.” He would have had to seek every form of assistance available. “I would have been a burden on the taxpayers and I don’t want that.” In Portugal, he says, he can live well on his pension and the part of his occupational pension fund that he was left with after the divorce. “And that way, I am not a burden to anyone in Switzerland,” he writes.

One argument that keeps coming up is that the state pension is not an honor, but a well-deserved reward for many years of hard work. “We have paid our contributions both financially and socially, for example, through various voluntary roles on the boards of associations and clubs. Now that our children are grown, we want to enjoy life together,” writes JohnnyBdSR.

Switzerland, many say, is a place to work – not to grow old.