VRM Pension - Questions about Calculation
How the VRM pension is calculated, salary cap and special cases.
The monthly bridging pension in principle corresponds to 72 % of the qualifying monthly salary lost as a result of the reduction, but no more than the age-dependent upper limit. The lower amount is always paid out.
A detailed explanation can be found in the regulations under point 4.3.1
The amount of the VRM pension is based on your previous benefit-determining monthly salary, the extent of the reduction in working hours and your age. Use our calculation tool to simulate your personal VRM pension without obligation.
The benefit-determining monthly salary is the ordinary monthly salary before the bridging pension is first drawn, including a pro-rated 13th monthly salary, but excluding allowances and overtime compensation.
Yes. The benefit-determining monthly wage may not exceed 3.25 times the maximum monthly AHV old-age pension, based on a level of employment of 100%.
The basis for calculating the VRM pension is, in principle, the ordinary monthly salary immediately prior to the first use of the VRM benefit — including the pro-rata 13th monthly salary, but excluding allowances and overtime compensation.
If a person is already working a reduced workload before the application, for example 80 %, the qualifying salary is not extrapolated to a 100%-workload. What matters, in principle, is the actually agreed level of employment and the corresponding ordinary salary immediately prior to drawing VRM benefits.
However, the regulations contain safeguards for significant fluctuations in salary or level of employment. If the level of employment or the salary has changed substantially in recent years, an average value may be used for the calculation. This is intended to avoid abusive or random distortions.
The definitive calculation is always carried out by Stiftung VRM based on the submitted salary and employment data.
The maximum monthly bridging pension is the following percentage of the qualifying monthly salary:
36% at age 60/00 to 60/11
44% at age 61/00 to 61/11
54% at age 62/00 to 62/05
72% at age 62/06 to 64/11
For hourly pay, the hourly wage, including the pro-rata 13th monthly salary, is extrapolated based on the annual working time under the GAV and divided by 12. For fluctuations of more than 10 %, the rules on salary fluctuations apply accordingly.
When submitting an application, the ordinary monthly salaries of the 3 preceding years must also be reported. If, at the same level of employment, the current monthly salary deviates by more than 10 % from one of these monthly salaries, an average is calculated from the current monthly salary and the monthly salaries of the 3 preceding years.
If the highest and lowest levels of employment over the last 15 years differ by more than 20%, the monthly wage determining the benefit is calculated taking into account the average level of employment over the last 15 years.
Yes. In the results step, you will find buttons to share the calculation via link (e.g. by email or WhatsApp) or to print the results. The link contains all your inputs and can be reopened at any time.
For the calculation of the VRM pension, the ordinary salary from your last covered gainful employment is generally decisive — not unemployment benefit. The Stiftung VRM determines the salary-relevant monthly wage based on the most recent relevant salary and employment data before the benefit start date.
As VRM only levies contributions from 2027, earlier years of employment in the industry could naturally not yet be linked to actual VRM contributions. For the 15/7 rule, such earlier industry years are nevertheless credited — as a «theoretical contribution obligation». What matters is whether the person worked, during that time, at a company covered both at company and at personal level.
No. The calculator tool provides non-binding estimates based on your input. The legally binding pension amount is only determined by the foundation as part of the official registration process.
The level of employment results from the ratio of the duration of seasonal employment to the full year. For hourly wages, the ratio of hours actually paid to the annual working time under the GAV may be used.
No. What is decisive is the ordinary monthly salary under the contract paid before you first drew benefits (clause 4.1.5 of the VRM regulations) — not the daily allowance. Periods of daily allowance during covered employment are treated as though you had worked normally.
The determining salary remains the ordinary salary under your contract; the pension is therefore not reduced as a result. In addition, when applying, the ordinary monthly salaries of the previous 3 years must be reported: if the current salary, at the same level of employment, deviates by more than 10%, an average is calculated (clause 4.1.7). A single bad year therefore does not reduce the pension.
No. AHV and UVG contributions fall outside the scope of VRM and are not shown in the calculator tool. An addition is under review. Clarify your AHV contribution obligation at an early stage with the responsible AHV compensation office in the event of a full reduction.