Leaving the Pension Fund

The death and disability benefits insured on termination of the pension relationship remain insured without any changes until the beginning of a new pension relationship, but at the longest for one month (maximum extension period).

If the criteria for a cash payment are met, the insured person must submit the following documents:

a) An official confirmation must be submitted if the departing person is permanently leaving Switzerland or will no longer work in Switzerland as a cross-border commuter.

b) If the insured person is moving to an EU/EFTA country, the extra-mandatory portion of the vested benefits (VB) can be paid out in cash. The form required for applying for the additional cash payment of the mandatory BVG vested benefits can be obtained from the BVG Contingency Fund at www.verbindungsstelle.ch.

c) If the insured person is moving to a non-EU/EFTA country, the total vested benefits can be paid out in cash. A confirmation of residence issued by the new country of domicile must be submitted.

d) If the insured person takes up self-employment as their primary occupation and is no longer subject to the mandatory employee benefits insurance, a confirmation issued by the AHV Compensation Fund must be submitted.

As a general rule, a certificate of marital status or a statutory declaration of marital status and the certified signature of the insured person and, depending on their marital status, also the certified signature of their spouse/registered partner are required for all cash payment transactions.

Insured persons can request the cash payment of their vested benefits if they:

• Will be leaving Switzerland permanently, but not to take up residence in Liechtenstein;
• Will be taking up self-employment and will no longer be subject to the mandatory employee benefits insurance
• or if their vested benefits amount is less than their annual personal contribution

A distinction is made between the following two cases if the insured person is leaving Switzerland permanently:

Moving to an EU/EFTA country

The extra-mandatory portion of the vested benefits (VB) can be paid out in cash. The mandatory vested benefits must be transferred to a vested benefits account.

Moving to a non-EU/EFTA country

The total vested benefits (VB) can be paid out in cash.

No, the vested benefits cannot be transferred to a foreign pension fund.

No, if you do not yet have a new employer when your employment relationship ends, you are obliged by law to open a vested benefits account with a bank or take out a vested benefits policy with an insurance company and have your vested benefits transferred to this account. If no instructions are received within six months, the vested benefits will automatically be transferred to the BVG Contingency Fund.

You have to complete and sign the form below and email it to pensionskasse@lonza.com to arrange the transfer of your vested benefits to your new pension fund or your vested benefits account / vested benefits policy.

Dienstaustritt (DE)

Service exit (EN)

The time required will depend on the quality of the documents that are submitted. If the required documents are submitted in full and correctly, the vested benefits are paid out within two weeks of submission. Payments are usually made on Fridays. If the documents are incomplete or incorrect, payment can only be made when the complete set of documents is received.

The vested benefits (VB) equal the full retirement savings that have been accrued with the employee benefits insurance until the insured person's departure (full vesting pursuant to the Vested Benefits Act).

If the employment relationship of a person who is capable of working is terminated before retirement savings have been accrued (< 25 Jahre), the pension relationship ceases at that date without giving rise to any entitlement. If retirement savings are available, the departing person is entitled to vested benefits if they cannot claim a retirement pension  but have not yet reached the regular retirement age and remain in gainful employment or are receiving benefits from the unemployment insurance.

When you leave your employer's company, the employer will automatically notify the pension fund of your departure. You do not have to do anything yourself regarding your departure from the pension fund. You simply have to complete the "Service exit" form sent to you by post and email it to pensionskasse@lonza.com.

You can also find the documents here:

Dienstaustritt (DE)

Service exit (EN)

If you fail to notify PKL of a new pension fund or vested benefits account, your vested benefits will be transferred to the BVG Contingency Fund after six months.

If you do not yet have a new employer when your employment relationship ends, you are obliged by law to open a vested benefits account with a bank or take out a vested benefits policy with an insurance company and have your vested benefits transferred to this account.

Please contact the pension fund employees directly if you have any questions about your pension certificate.

To do this, you can use the contact form or send us an email (pensionskasse@lonza.com).

After the transfer of your vested benefits, PKL will inform you in writing about the payment/transfer of your vested benefits.

After your departure, your retirement savings will continue to earn interest at the rate determined by the Board of Trustees until their transfer to your new pension fund. This is usually the minimum BVG interest rate for the current year for all departing insured persons.