Information from Lonza Pension Fund (PKL) at the turn of the year
Interest on pension capital
At its meeting on 19 December 2024, the Board of Trustees of the Lonza Pension Fund (PKL) decided to grant interest of 5.75% on the assets of the active insured members for 2024.
This favourable decision is based on the very positive performance achieved on the PKL’s investments in 2024 and due to the strong situation with regard to investment fluctuation reserves and other parameters. Although the build-up of investment fluctuation reserves has not allowed for a higher interest rate in recent years, the Board of Trustees was able to make a favourable interest rate decision this year. The Board of Trustees based its interest rate decision on the new interest, inflation and pension participation model introduced in 2024, which is set out in a guideline and was also approved at the meeting on 19 December 2024.
The Board of Trustees would like to emphasise that future interest rate decisions will depend on the actual financial situation of the pension fund, the return achieved on its investments and will be based on the new interest rate guidelines. It cannot be inferred from the positive interest rate decision for 2024 and the introduction of new guidelines that future interest rate decisions by the Board of Trustees will be of a similar magnitude.
For 2025, the BVG interest rate of 1.25% is currently expected. As usual, the Board of Trustees will decide on the definitive interest rate in December 2025 on the basis of the framework conditions applicable at that time.
New AHV limits - increase in co-ordination deduction
As of 1 January 2025, the maximum annual AHV pension will be increased from CHF 29,400 to CHF 30,240. This increase also has an impact on the co-ordination deduction, which amounts to 7/8 of the maximum AHV pension and is used to calculate the insured salary and thus the monthly pension fund contribution. The co-ordination deduction is now CHF 26,460 (previously CHF 25,725). It is calculated according to the current level of employment and deducted from the effective salary (qualifying salary according to the pension certificate). The new co-ordination deduction will reduce the insured salary as at 1 January 2025. The relevant details can be found in the payslip and the personal pension certificate via Pension Cockpit.