Unemployment benefit (Switzerland)
As unemployment compensation a performance of the Swiss is unemployment insurance for in Switzerland resident unemployed designated persons.
Unemployment benefits essentially
Eligible persons are entitled to a daily unemployment benefit if they become wholly or partially unemployed. The unemployment insurance funds are responsible for clarifying whether a person is entitled to unemployment benefits.
Insured persons
Insured employees and newcomers to the labor market are eligible . In Switzerland, all employees who work in Switzerland are compulsorily insured. Self-employed people are not insured. Employed persons who, as shareholders of a stock corporation or a GmbH , can significantly influence the decisions of this company are also not insured . Eligible persons must have completed compulsory schooling and must neither have reached the retirement age of the AHV nor receive an old-age pension from the AHV.
Eligibility level
Unemployment benefits are paid out in the form of daily allowances. The amount of the daily allowance is based on the insured earnings. The daily allowance is usually 70% of the insured earnings. In certain cases, a daily allowance rate of 80% applies, such as insured earnings of less than CHF 3,797.50, maintenance obligations for children or young people in training or drawing a pension from disability insurance (IV) or accident insurance (Suva). The payment amount is calculated per working day and this can therefore vary from month to month. There is also a maximum number of daily allowances:
- 400 daily allowances with a contribution period of at least 12 months
- 520 daily allowances with a contribution period of at least 18 months and reaching the age of 55
- 520 daily allowances with a contribution period of at least 18 months and drawing a pension from IV or Suva
- 260 daily allowances if the contribution period of at least 12 months has not been fulfilled, but certain reasons for exemption such as training, illness, etc. exist
The maximum insured salary up to December 31, 2015 was CHF 10,500 per month or CHF 126,000 per year. Since January 1, 2016, the maximum insured salary is now CHF 12,350 per month or CHF 148,200 per year.
