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Manage the cost of living better: A Swiss popular initiative is calling for more money for pensioners.

Photo: Hill Street Studios / Getty Images

The Swiss will vote on Sunday on two popular initiatives that could change the lives of pensioners in the country in different ways: one initiative calls for a 13th month pension for retirees, the other calls for a higher retirement age.

Swiss unions have proposed helping older people cope with rising living costs through additional pension payments.

According to surveys, a majority of those eligible to vote are in favor of the plan - although the lead has recently fallen, so the success of the popular initiative is uncertain.

The maximum pension is 2,450 Swiss francs

The maximum monthly pension in Switzerland is currently 2,450 Swiss francs (around 2,470 euros) for single people and 3,675 francs (3,854 euros) for married couples.

However, Switzerland is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world: the monthly rent for a three-room apartment in the country's larger cities costs around 3,000 francs (3,150 euros) or more, and a cup of coffee costs five francs.

If the Swiss agree to the 13th month pension, they will follow Liechtenstein, which also uses the Swiss franc.

The government there introduced a similar system a few years ago.

“The standard of living of pensioners is eroding”

»Like everywhere else, there is a purchasing power crisis in Switzerland.

The standard of living of pensioners is eroding," says Pierre-Yves Maillard from the Swiss trade union association SGB, who is campaigning for a "yes" vote.

The left-wing parties support the initiative, but a broad front of opponents has formed: the right-wing parties as well as those in the political center, the Federal Council and the Federal Assembly are against the initiative.

Opponents warn that if the popular initiative is accepted, many retirees who are not dependent on it would receive a 13th month pension.

The right-wing populist SVP argues that the “irresponsible” initiative could weaken the pension system.

She campaigned for a “no” to the initiative with the image of a 100-franc note being sucked down a drain.

Apparently with success: In the most recent survey for the broadcaster SSR, 53 percent were in favor of the proposal - less than a month earlier it was 61 percent in a similar survey.

For it to be accepted, the initiative would have to reach a double quorum: on the one hand, the majority of all votes, and on the other hand, the majority of votes in a majority of the 26 Swiss cantons.

Retirement age should increase to 66 years

Swiss voters will also vote in the referendum on Sunday on a call by the youth organization of the Liberal Party.

She wants the retirement age in the country to be gradually raised from 65 to 66 within ten years.

The proposal seems to have no chance: in recent surveys, only 35 percent of respondents were in favor of the plan and 63 percent were against it.

Less than two years ago, the Swiss voted by a narrow majority to increase the retirement age for women from 64 to 65, thus bringing it into line with the retirement age of men.

jpa/AFP