Othmar Filliger appointed chair of Central Swiss Occupational Benefit and Foundation Supervisory Board

It has been announced that Othmar Filliger, a member of the cantonal government of Nidwalden, is to take over the chair of the Central Swiss Occupational Benefit and Foundation Supervisory Board (ZBSA) as of 1 January 2019.

In so doing, Filliger will be taking over from Manuela Weichelt-Picard, the head of the Zug cantonal government who is currently responsible for the Department of Inner-Cantonal Affairs, until 31 December 2018 when she is set to stand down. She has been the chair of ZBSA since the summer of 2008.

Among other areas, the ZBSA is responsible for the public awareness of all aspects of the second of three pillars which make up the Swiss social security system.

The first pillar in this system relates to the old age, survivors’ and invalidity pension, which is generally compulsory for everyone, ensuring basic living costs are covered, whereas the second pillar is the occupational benefit plan “aiming to ensure that insured persons maintain their previous standard of living in an appropriate way.” This second pillar is compulsory for all employed persons whose annual salary amounts to more than CHF 21,150 (as of 2016). The third pillar is an optional way of ensuring additional benefit. Further detailed information on this can be found on www.ahv.iv.ch, in English, too.

Filliger’s responsibility also includes monitoring foundations as set up in the cantons of Lucerne, Nidwalden, Schwyz and Zug.