Plan your transition

Benefits can be drawn at the earliest from the first of the month 5 years before the reference age. In practice, this generally means from age 60. Benefits always begin on the first day of a month.

You must

• be at least 60 years old 
• worked at least 15 years in the building-technology industry (or the contribution obligation)
• have been continuously employed in the industry for the last 7 years (or the contribution obligation)
• have your workload reduced under an approved part-time model 
• be fit to work 

The bridging pension is a monthly benefit that offsets part of the loss of income when the working hours are reduced or working activity is given up completely.

No. The VRM provides for both full early retirement and a partial reduction in workload. You can therefore retire completely or reduce your workload, provided the requirements under the Regulations are met.

Under the regulations, benefits can be drawn from a reduction in working activity, or a benefit-related reduction in income, of at least 10 %. It is also possible to interrupt work for at least one month per year.

Yes. Once chosen, a reduction can be increased while benefits are being drawn. However, it cannot be reversed. If the reduction is increased later, the implementing office recalculates the benefit and offsets benefits already received. In the calculator tool you can try out different reduction steps on a non-binding basis.

A working-time reduction that has already been chosen cannot be reversed under the regulations. A return to a higher workload while VRM benefits are ongoing is not provided for.

You must have worked for at least 15 years for a company within the scope of the GAV-VRM Gebäudetechnik.

Of these, the last 7 years before drawing benefits must be uninterrupted.

These requirements are central to eligibility.

The 15-year rule applies to the professional career in the industry, excluding apprenticeship. In individual cases, the foundation's assessment is decisive.

Unemployment or direct sickness or accident daily allowance payments can be taken into account for up to a total of 2 years within the last 7 years. If this exceeds 2 years within this period, entitlement to a bridging pension may lapse.

As a rule, unpaid leave does not interrupt the 7-year period of employment if it lasts no more than 6 months, the work is resumed afterwards with the same employer, no paid work is carried out during the leave, and at least 50% employment with the same business can be proven for the calendar year.

A change is only compatible with ongoing benefits if the new employment is with a company within the scope of the GAV-VRM Gebäudetechnik and in a contribution-liable occupation. The change must be coordinated with, or reported to, the Foundation.

Yes. The foundation is responsible for controls. If reporting obligations are breached or requirements are no longer met, benefits may be withheld, adjusted or stopped. Benefits received wrongly must be repaid.

The BVG savings contribution is generally paid directly to the pension fund with which the beneficiary is affiliated through the employer. If this is not possible, a solution using a vested-benefits account can be offered.

The additional BVG savings contribution amounts to 18% of the bridging pension paid. It is paid if the eligible person indicates this when submitting the form. The additional BVG savings amount can only be paid if no BVG retirement benefits are drawn (no early withdrawal).

The bridging pension is paid monthly to the eligible person. Any transfer costs may be charged to the beneficiary (in particular for payment addresses outside Switzerland).

Yes. Hardship compensation benefits are possible if the regulatory requirements are met. They are limited to special case constellations and exclude further benefits from the Stiftung VRM. Hardship benefits are decided exclusively by the Board of Trustees.

If a beneficiary becomes disabled due to illness or accident before reaching the reference age, the bridging pension is generally continued unchanged. However, it counts as replacement income that must be reported.

No. The benefits are not paid out in lump-sum form.

If the person receiving benefits does not request it via the form, or if the person is simultaneously drawing or has drawn early BVG retirement benefits in the form of a pension or lump sum from the pension scheme. In the event of an early BVG withdrawal, entitlement to the additional BVG savings contribution lapses.

The foundation provides monthly bridging pensions, additional BVG savings contributions and any hardship compensation benefits.

No. The bridging pension is not adjusted for inflation or any salary increases up to the reference age.

The death of a beneficiary must be reported to the implementing body by the survivors. If the beneficiary dies before reaching the reference age, entitlement to VRM benefits ends at the end of the month of death; benefits paid as a result of late notification must be repaid to the foundation.

VRM benefits are paid at most until the end of the month in which you reach the AHV reference age.

In the case of a partial reduction, BVG insurance on the remaining earned income continues through your employer. In addition, the foundation may make a BVG savings contribution of 18 % of the bridging pension paid, provided no BVG retirement benefits are drawn. In the case of a full reduction, AHV and UVG questions must be clarified separately — early clarification with the AHV office, pension fund and health insurance fund is recommended.

Contact the foundation directly — we will clarify your eligibility together. You can reach us at Contact.

Early planning is recommended. The application for pension benefits must be submitted at least 6 months before the pension start date. Check coverage, documents, pension fund and possible reduction models early on, together with your employer.

Anyone who has wrongfully obtained or received benefits must repay them. Criminal proceedings remain reserved.

Yes.

Within the industry:

   up to max. CHF 22’680.00/year

   (= current BVG entry threshold)

Outside the industry:

   up to max. CHF 12’000.00/year

Yes. The secondary occupation (e.g. a board mandate) can be continued, but not increased.

Voluntary continuation of occupational pension cover (BVG) is legally possible from age 58. The specific implementation depends on the employer's pension fund and must be coordinated well in advance. In addition, Stiftung VRM pays a BVG savings contribution of 18% of the bridging pension paid — provided no early BVG retirement benefits are drawn. Clarify the details directly with your pension fund.

In principle, yes.

The last 7 years before benefits begin must be completed without interruption at a business covered by the GAV-VRM. Even a single month at a business not covered can count as an interruption. Exceptions apply to sector activities for which a permeability agreement exists.

An activity outside the scope of the GAV-VRM interrupts the 7-year period.

The last 7 years before the start of benefits must be completed without interruption at a company covered by the GAV-VRM. Even a single month at a non-covered company can count as an interruption. Exceptions apply to industry activity where a recognised permeability agreement exists.

Yes. Seasonal employment does not exclude entitlement to a bridging pension (clause 4.1.9 of the VRM regulations). The same eligibility requirements apply as for all other employees.

Employment is considered seasonal if it lasts at least six consecutive months and comprises at least 950 net hours per year, repeated over at least three consecutive seasons. Net hours are the actual hours worked, i.e. gross hours less holidays and public holidays.

No. The seasonal interruption does not break continuity, provided the work is resumed in the following season at a business covered by the GAV-VRM.

Proven, season-related unemployment during the off-season is not counted towards the two-year limit (Art. 14.3 GAV-VRM, clause 4.5.6 of the VRM regulations). Register with the RAV so that the periods can be documented. Unemployment not related to the season is counted normally.

Only if, on the day benefits begin, you are fit for work to the same extent as your previous employment. If this is not the case, the benefit start date is postponed until fitness for work is restored or a definitive IV ruling is issued. A pending IV application blocks the release of benefits.

Once the daily sickness benefits end, cover passes to invalidity insurance (IV). VRM does not take its place. If the eligible person had not yet drawn a bridging pension when incapacity for work or invalidity occurred, no entitlement to VRM benefits arises on the invalid portion of the salary (clause 4.7 of the VRM regulations).

Yes, on the valid portion of the salary. Contributions remain due on this portion; a proportional entitlement can arise if gainful employment is partially or fully given up. The IV ruling is decisive.

If the calculation matches your expectations, you can download the official registration form in the documents section.

Agree on the reduction step and timing with your employer and submit the form together with all required documents.

Note the 6-month submission deadline before your desired benefit start date.

The application must be submitted to Stiftung VRM at least 6 months before the desired start of benefits.

No. Benefits do not arise automatically and are not paid retroactively. Entitlement arises only upon application by the eligible person and only after full proof of eligibility has been provided.

In particular, you need the written application with personal details and signature, proof of employment and workload, documents for checking the 15/7 rule, current wage and workload details, and details of wage fluctuations over the last 3 years. Depending on the situation, proof of incapacity to work or other special circumstances may be required.

You can find the forms in the documents area.

The Foundation reviews the documents and determines the amount of the bridging pension. The decision is communicated in writing to the applicant and the employer. If the application is rejected in whole or in part, the reasons are given in writing.

Yes. You can submit the decision within 30 days of notification to the Board of Trustees or an appointed committee for review. Objections must be submitted in writing with reasons and any supporting evidence.

You must immediately report to the Foundation any circumstances that could affect your entitlement. These include, in particular, taking up paid employment, a change of residence, changes to the paying agent, and relevant changes to pension provision or employment.

Yes. In the case of a full reduction, AHV and UVG questions are particularly important. AHV contributions must be organised independently if needed; accident insurance cover must be clarified with the health insurance fund or the responsible body. Early clarification with the AHV office, pension fund and health insurance fund is recommended.

Yes. Anyone who fully reduces or ends their employment and has not yet reached the ordinary AHV reference age must check their AHV contribution obligation themselves.

If the person remains resident in Switzerland, AHV contributions generally must be registered and paid independently with the responsible AHV compensation office. If no registration is made, contribution gaps may arise, which can later have a negative effect on the AHV pension.

VRM does not handle this registration. Stiftung VRM therefore recommends contacting the responsible AHV compensation office at an early stage and clarifying your personal contribution situation before full early retirement.

If registration is late, the earliest possible start of benefits is postponed by the missing months. The foundation cannot pay benefits retroactively.

Plan the timing of your registration well in advance — for example, if you want to reduce your workload as of 1 April, the complete registration must be received by 1 October of the previous year at the latest.