What’s the ideal case? 18% of total contributions to 2nd pillar in the interval of 35-44 YO? That means 8% of employer contributions above the minimum required by law.
I get 3% above minimum, I guess I’m a sucker too 
I have no idea what “the norm” is. The 18% example on 40/60 split is what my employer does. I know that UBS/CS are more generous, my old employer was similar to my current, and I have had a job offer a year ago that was a bit worse.
Many pension funds have their documents available online and you can look at them even if you are not a member of the pension fund, here’s one:
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For once, the law simple. You employer must contribute as much as you to the 2nd pillar. Above the minimum, anything is possible.
So, if you pay 40% of the total contributions to 2nd pillar, it means the mandatory minimum contribution is 80% of 18%, which is 14.4%. Therefore, the optional extra is the 20% of 18%, or 3.6%.
3.6% is the extra voluntary contribution by employer per year. This 3.6% is applied to the insured income of 64k (see this reply #84 by CloudsInTheSky for details) which gives 2’304 CHF /year. That’s the difference between the sucky retirement plan and a good one.
PS. Edited for clarity. Also, is it a déjà vu or did I already wrote about this?
I cannot follow you.
Will be taxed assuming a income equivalent value of 0.9% of price (excl. VAT) per month, and of course you will not be able to deduct commute. Still better than not having one in most cases.
Are there no reduced rates for EVs? OP should get an allowance and buy a used EV (provided he can at least charge at work).
An allowance is cash and will be taxed as income. But then we are talking about ZG and a modest income, so we can actually disregard tax.
Still need to confirm, but the employer has recommended i stay outside of Zug to find cheaper apartment, i recall reading on this thread that my permit might not allow it. But will confirm.
I will also try negotiate for some type of startup allowance to buy furniture (just the basics)
This whole ordeal has been somewhat stressful for me and my family, but this thread has been a great help, thanks again.
Initially my wife will not work until we are settled in, and then we are hoping to find here something 50 or 60% to help manage the kids. The uncertainty of how the schools and times work is still somewhat concerning.
Which brings up a point: On our old forum there was a section for giving away/selling household items. People relocate or need to downsize–it’s where we are now with our old shipment of nice furniture from PT, originally from Florida. It’s coming to DE, but we know there will not be sufficient room, and I’ll have to sell some really pretty pieces and give away the patio furniture. Is there sufficient interest in reviving that thread?
Yes, i saw that there is a lot of good 2nd hand furniture available, and i like bargain hunting.
So im confident we will be sorted before my wife and kids arrive, if i arrive before them.
I need to give feedback on my decision on Friday, My heart is telling me go to Switzerland. but my brain wants to do spreadsheets first.
Make sure there is no misunderstanding. You need to know whether permit allows you to live outside of canton Zug. They might have meant the town of Zug.
You also need to be aware that your permit is most likely going to be tied to the employer. Which means you cannot just change jobs without new permit application.
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There’s tutti.ch and ricardo.ch - though the prices most sellers expect are usually way too high.
You’d have to haggle them down, which is not alway possible.
Usually and eventually, a great bargain comes along at some point - but you have to have the patience to keep waiting for it (and make the drive to collect it).
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Morning All.
Contract has been signed and employer is busy applying for permits.
HR is unfortunately on leave today, but i was hoping someone might be able to shed some light ont he below question.
Will the whole family permits/visa’s be approved at once, or will mine be done first, then we need to apply for reunification for the rest of the family?
I believe yours will be done first via the company then you apply for the rest of the family via the family reunification route.
You’ll almost certainly need to apply for visas too.
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Let me guess, one of these is Cemex ?
Thank you, do you have any idea of how long the process takes?
so there is also a big chance of me going to Switzerland first and then the family coming at a later stage?
Hello,
Congrats on the contract.
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Just an update, ermächtigung has been received from Cantonal offices, and we have an appointment at the local embassy on the 13th of August, if I understand correctly we will have our visas (all 4 of us) around the 15th of August.
So we are planning on arriving in Switzerland end of August, i have been getting quotes for Health insurance for the 4 of us, and will then register once we have arrival dates, then i will take proof of health insurance, plus ermächtigung to local Gemeinde and register.
We will also ask the Gemeinde to guide us on how to register at the local school.
We have also signed for a apartment in Affoltern am Albis, it suits our needs until we find out feet, only problem there is no bath tub for the kids, parking is 50m away, and the ceiling is only 2m high and im 1.9m tall, but we will manage.
Company has been kind enough to provide us with a relocation allowance, and vehicle upon arrival. Ideally we want new mattrases but the rest we will source from Tutti, Ricardo and FB marketplace. They will also pay for me for German course at Migros Klubschule
- My wife will bring some insulin, plus a prescription from our local doctor, which we will use to get more medicine, until we have a local doctor
- Regarding medical insurance I have been looking at Comparis, but there are so many options, any input guidance or advice on how to choose will be appreciated. For example as per @Bowlie post, we will take lowest deductible for my wife (Type1 Diabetic), and the rest i was thinking of going mid line deductible of around 1000chf for me and 300chf for the kids.
We are both very active crossfit (my wife more than me) and would like to join a crossfit gym, but the costs are very high, i have read that some Health insurances subsidize gym membership, and will do little more research on that. I will be fine to join a normal gym, but I know crossfit has helped my wife a lot with her diabetes, and just a better sense of belonging, it will also help her make friends.
As we progress, i will come back and ask more questions
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I would recommend that your wife look for a diabetes expert, rather than just a gp. Some things, like pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) can’t be prescribed by all doctors, only specialists. You can get them without prescriptions but the insurance is not required to pay. The current price for an Abbott 15 day monitor is CHF 85 each (2040 per year).
Check for a Diabetes Association in your new Canton or ask at a pharmacy for recommendations on Drs.
Edited to add:
The primary diabetes association in Zürich is diabeteszürich (formerly Zürcher Diabetes-Gesellschaft). It is the official regional organization representing people with diabetes in the canton of Zürich.
Key activities and services include:
- Diabetes counseling and education to help patients interpret blood glucose values, manage daily diabetes care, and understand the influence of different factors on blood sugar regulation[1][2].
- Nutritional counseling that emphasizes practical, sustainable lifestyle changes rather than strict prohibitions or rigid diet plans[2].
- Medical foot care (podology), offering specialized foot treatments for diabetic patients; these services are typically covered by basic health insurance[1][2].
- Provision of diabetes supplies, such as glucose meters and test strips, at reimbursed prices[2].
- Support for families and children, including organizing diabetes camps[1].
- Public awareness and prevention campaigns, as well as supporting related research projects when possible[1].
- Psychosocial support for persons with diabetes and their relatives[2].
Their new office is located at Turnerstrasse 24, 8006 Zürich (from June 2024 on)[2].
Membership, donations, and legacies help sustain their non-profit work. The association collaborates with healthcare professionals and supports public education on diabetes, emphasizing prevention and early detection[1][2].
For medical advice, patients in Zürich can also contact the University Hospital Zürich’s endocrinology and diabetes clinic or search for local self-help groups through Selbsthilfe Zürich[6][9][10].
Sources
[1] Organisation - Zürcher Diabetes-Gesellschaft Organisation - Zürcher Diabetes-Gesellschaft
[2] Zürcher Diabetes-Gesellschaft https://www.diabeteszuerich.ch
[3] Diabetesschweiz Schweizerische Diabetesgesellschaft
[4] Deutschschweizer Diabetikertag - Schweizerische Diabetes-Stiftung Veranstaltungen - Schweizerische Diabetes-Stiftung
[5] Über Uns - Schweizerische Diabetesgesellschaft Über Uns - Schweizerische Diabetesgesellschaft
[6] Diabetesberatung - Universitätsspital Zürich Diabetesberatung – USZ
[7] Diabetesfachberatung - Hirslanden Diabetesfachberatung - Hirslanden Klinik Hirslanden
[8] Insulitis in type 2 diabetes https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/7324/
[9] Diabetes – USZ Diabetes – USZ
[10] Selbsthilfeangebote zum Thema Diabetes - Selbsthilfe Schweiz Selbsthilfeangebote zum Thema Diabetes
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