The Council of States rejects a tax for unreferred ER visits; the 13th state pension will amount to an average of 1,580 francs per month; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.
The Council of States rejects a tax for unreferred ER visits
Unlike their colleagues in the National Council, deputies in the upper house of the Parliament have overwhelmingly rejected on Tuesday a proposal to introduce a 50-franc tax aimed at discouraging people from going to the hospital for minor ailments
Several MPs questioned the effectiveness of this tax in relieving the burden on hospitals – the main reason for the measure in the first place.
They pointed out that emergency departments are often the only option for patients living in outlying areas outside business hours and on weekends.
Furthermore, the fee “would create additional administrative burdens in the healthcare system,” the senators pointed out.
The 13th state pension will amount to an average of 1,580 francs
The 13th AHV/AVS pension, which will be paid for the first time in December, will amount to 1,580 francs on average, the Federal Office of Social Insurance (OFAS) said on Tuesday.
The actual payout will, however, vary depending on the marital status of the beneficiaries, as well as their place of residence.
While the average pension in Switzerland was 1,969 francs a month in 2025, it amounted to only 702 francs for people residing abroad.
That’s because many beneficiaries living in foreign countries had contributed to the Swiss social security system only for part of their working life and have therefore “contribution gaps.”
READ MORE: Switzerland finally sets date for start of 13th pension payments
Study:Switzerland should boost economic productivity and prepare public finances for an ageing population
‘‘Switzerland has one of the most prosperous and innovative economies in the world. The priority now is to keep its competitive edge while ensuring public spending is sustainable.”
This is the finding of a new analysis carried out by the Organisation for the Economic Cooperation Development (OECD).
Specifically, “high geopolitical risks and trade uncertainty are weighing” on the future economic outlook.
Therefore, “ambitious reforms are needed for the country to remain competitive and innovative,” OECD reported.
It suggests that “stronger competition and lower administrative burdens would boost productivity. And more efficient healthcare spending and linking the retirement age to life expectancy would improve the fiscal outlook.”
American files a criminal ‘slavery’ complaint against three Swiss cantons
A US citizen, Shelley Moorehead, is suing Zurich, Bern, and Solothurn, for their involvement in the transatlantic slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Descendant of slaves himself, Moorehead is suing each of the cantons for 5 million francs.
Legal experts point out, however, that his odds of succeeding are slim to none: Not only are the people allegedly implicated in slave trade at the time long dead, but under the criminal law, cantons cannot be prosecuted in the same way as individuals.
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