I am now living in the UK and will reach the UK retirement age in about six weeks. I notified the pension authorities in Geneva in September, as directed, and I sent all the required documentation ie proof of life, bank details etc, but despite several emails to ask for confirmation of receipt, I have had no communication from them. Does anyone know when I should expect to hear from them? What would the complaints procedure be? Is it too soon to complain? I’d appreciate any guidance.
I thought you had to ask the UK authorities and they would coordinate with the Swiss authorities to get the Swiss pension to you. Maybe use search to check a few threads on here about pensions in multiple countries. I’m sure it has been discussed before.
I needed to communicate with the Geneva office. I found this to be best done by phone as they were slow in responding to Emails.
I would suggest that you do not complain, but rather enquire how things are proceeding and asking if there is any more information required. The good news is that payments due should be made retrospectively.
Should be done through this UK department
For any private Swiss pension you had you need to contact the pension provider of your Swiss employer to claim.
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But you’re resident in Switzerland.
The OP is resident in the UK so they should apply via the UK office.
Well, would you believe it! The postman delivered a letter from the DWP International Pension Centre today! It seems that things are moving - slowly, as it’s dated 4/11/25. Thanks for the responses.
Yes, I did realise this. I applied through the correct channels and still had to talk to three pension offices in the end, Zug, Geneva and the UK. It took several phone calls to move things along when one office said they were waiting for the other etc etc
Lucky you! We were dealing with five of them. Germany was by far the most difficult.
I only worked in Switzerland for 3 years and two months in Zug. Thus I built up 3/44th of pension. I asked ChatGPT some questions out of curiosity and now have the following assumptions.
My Swiss state pension will be 178 CHF a month (I earnt a very high salary at the time).
I can claim this in two years when I’m 65.
Is above correct?
I didn’t think I would be eligible with such low number of year contributing.
Also in the UK I’m entitled to a full state pension having paid 42 out of 35 years required.
Does this impact my uk pension? Ie they reduce it?
Should be able to claim and you ought to check if you paid into your company’s private pension scheme as well as you’re probably entitled to something from that if you did.
And no, won’t affect your UK State pension at all.
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Maximum pension is 2520 for a single person (3780 for a couple). If you have 3 years of contributions then your max is 3/44x2520=171 per month. But if you are still in Switzerland for the next 2 years, then you have 2 more years of contributions (even if unemployed you have to make AHV contributions) so 5/44x2520=286.
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I believe the calculation is correct. However if OP is married his partner (w/o any additional income) would also be eligible for another 171 CHF, right?
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Thanks for the reply - I returned from Switzerland to the UK a few years ago.
So just the 3 years pension contribution in Switzerland.
Yes I’m married and during my time in Switzerland my wife didn’t work at all.
You’d get 50% more.
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The OP would only get the additional pension for their spouse once the spouse has reached retirement age themselves.
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My wife will be 65 four years after myself. Thanks for the clarification.
Even just my pension is better than nothing and for just 3 years working in CH.
Will buy a regular Fish and Chip supper every week 
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My 12 years working in my home country has given me beer money, and less every month due to strength of the franc.
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OP here you can calculate the estimated pension for you and your partner:
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That may be a suggestion but I applied for and received benefits from UK, Switzerland, Québec and USA after applying to each separately. No totalisation was required as I had over ten years of contributions to each.
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