SwissCommunity To compensate for the loss of child pensions, the motion proposed that individual supplementary benefits should increase if necessary. Given that residence abroad precludes you from receiving supplementary benefits, Swiss Abroad on low incomes would have their child pensions cancelled and not receive any benefits to offset this loss in income. “Misguided and wrong” Anyone following the debate surrounding state pensions for the Swiss Abroad may be forgiven for thinking that retired expats live a life of luxury. For most, the reality is different. Many Swiss Abroad would have needed supplementary benefits if they had stayed in Switzerland. “Swiss who emigrate after retirement are normally less of a burden on the Swiss welfare state,” says Filippo Lombardi, president of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, “which is why it is misguided and wrong to be chipping away at their pensions”. SMILLA SCHÄR, SWISSCOMMUNITY MEDIA OFFICER The next edition of “Swiss Review” will contain a detailed overview of the latest statistics on the Swiss Abroad (for 2023). Our “Discussion” page containing reader comments is taking a break. It will appear again in the next issue. Some 813,400 Swiss nationals were living abroad at the end of 2023. This is an increase of 1.7 per cent on the previous year. The Federal Statistical Office published these new figures at the end of March. It is still the case that easily the biggest proportion of Swiss Abroad – around 64 per cent – live in Europe. France and Germany were again home to the largest Swiss expatriate populations in 2023. And the majority of Swiss Abroad – 56 per cent – are between 18 and 65, i.e. of employable age. As in recent years, the over-65 age group grew faster than all the other expatriate age groups in 2023 – by almost four per cent. This is partly down to an ageing expatriate population, but emigration also plays a key role. Evidence suggests that financial insecurity is another reason why more Swiss are deciding to move abroad. In a survey conducted as part of the nccr – on the move research project at the University of Neuchâtel, respondents most frequently said that they had moved abroad because the cost of living in Switzerland was too high or because they wanted to maintain or improve their standard of living. State pension figures support this argument. In 2022, Swiss living in Switzerland received an average monthly OASI state pension of 1,919 Swiss francs. The average state pension payment for Swiss Abroad was much lower: 1,209 francs. Retired Swiss Abroad now see political and media sentiment swinging against them. The National Council recently voted in favour of a motion to abolish child pensions. Statistics reveal sense of financial insecurity among over-65s The “Fifth Switzerland” continues to grow. Last year, the biggest percentage increase in Swiss Abroad was among the over-65s. This is partly because financial insecurity has become more of an issue for people in this age group. Ensuring the future of “Swiss Review” “Swiss Review” is blessed with an experienced editorial team well-versed in giving their independent journalistic take on the latest burning issues in Switzerland and making this content relatable to readers in the “Fifth Switzerland”. Through your donation, you can support independent, quality journalism directly. Given that printing and mailing costs are so prohibitively high at the moment, we are particularly grateful for donations towards our print edition. MARC LETTAU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The bank details for the transfer of voluntary subscriptions are as follows: Donate via credit card: revue.link/creditrevue Donate via PayPal: www.revue.link/revue Bank account for donations: IBAN: CH97 0079 0016 1294 4609 8 Bank: Berner Kantonalbank Bundesplatz 8 CH-3011 Berne BIC/SWIFT: KBBECH22 Beneficiary: BEKB Bern, Account 16.129.446.0.98, Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, FAO Mr A. Kiskery, Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne Email: revue@swisscommunity.org Read it instead of waiting. Getting impatient waiting for your printed copy of “Swiss Review” to arrive? Pick up the magazine on your tablet or smartphone. The app is free of charge and contains no advertising. You can find the app by searching for “Swiss Review” in your App Store. SWISS REVIEW MAY 2024 The magazine for the Swiss Abroad Dayana Pfammatter– blazing a trail as Switzerland’s first-ever yodelling graduate Switzerland – an island of prosperity where many households are buckling under the cost-of-living crisis Football in Switzerland is a vehicle for integration, but its treatment of women still leaves a lot to be desired 31 Swiss Review / May 2024 / No.3
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