What are the benefits of marriage in Switzerland?

The Swiss parliament is debating the so-called marriage penalty – but marriage also brings clear advantages. Here's a summary of the most important privileges

Widows and widowers receive pensions

"If someone dies, married couples are better protected than cohabiting partners," says Karl Flubacher of VZ Vermögenszentrum. According to the law, they receive pensions from AHV (Old Age and Survivors' Insurance), pension funds or accident insurance, SRF reports, albinfo.ch reports.

Married couples generally have privileges under the AHV.

While married couples do not receive the maximum pension twice, they generally have privileges under the AHV (Old Age and Survivors' Insurance): Non-working people can be exempted from the minimum contribution thanks to their marriage, and widows and widowers receive pensions and supplements. According to the Federal Social Insurance Office, these benefits amount to CHF 4.6 billion per year, clearly exceeding the CHF 3.4 billion in lost pensions.

Some couples pay less tax thanks to marriage

The idea that married couples pay more in taxes is only partly true. “Depending on the circumstances, there is also a marriage bonus,” says Flubacher. “That is, when income is distributed extremely unequally.” For example, if the husband earns well and the wife stays at home, the tax bill for married couples is lower in many cantons. Married couples also benefit from better tax treatment when withdrawing assets from pension funds or Pillar 3a.

Married couples inherit tax-free

Spouses inherit by law, and tax-free, what's more. Cohabiting couples must favor each other in their wills and pay high inheritance and gift taxes in most cantons. According to Flubacher, this can be particularly problematic if a cohabiting couple has bought a house together. "Some surviving partners don't have enough liquidity to pay inheritance tax on the inherited share of the house."

Pension is divided after separation

Unless otherwise agreed, the assets of the pension fund are divided in the event of a divorce. With Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHV), income during the marriage is also divided, with each partner receiving half of it. Therefore, those who earn less than their partner are better off as a result of the marriage.

Poorer people get money when they divorce

Unless otherwise agreed, the money that both partners have saved during the marriage is divided equally. Furthermore, the wealthier spouse must pay alimony after the divorce if the other spouse does not have enough money. Both are beneficial to the person who earned little or nothing. According to Flubacher, this serves to protect housewives – and nowadays housewives – in traditionally divided roles.

Living and working in Switzerland thanks to marriage

Anyone who marries a Swiss citizen receives a residence permit and can become a Swiss citizen more easily.

Married couples don't have to blame each other.

Married couples enjoy the so-called right to refuse to testify. This also applies to cohabiting couples, but they must provide proof of their cohabitation.

Spouses receive information from the hospital

If unmarried couples want information from doctors, they need a power of attorney. Married couples have the right to legally represent them. “If someone develops dementia, their spouse very often becomes their support person,” Flubacher says. “Cohabiting couples need an advance directive for that.”

Men are automatically considered fathers

Unmarried fathers must acknowledge their children. If another man is already considered the father (such as a surrogate husband), the biological father must file a lawsuit.