As people across Switzerland brace for their first heightened insurance premiums of 2025, a new proposal has been submitted that would see elderly residents pay more for cover. Supporters argue the plan would give cheaper insurance to families and young people, while opponents have labelled it an unnecessary attack on pensioners.

FDP councillor calls for higher insurance premiums for seniors

Under the plans, submitted to the Federal Council by FDP National Councillor Philippe Nantermod, older residents and pensioners in Switzerland would be required to pay a higher rate for basic health insurance. Specifically, he called on the Federal Social Insurance Office to calculate how much more pensioners would have to pay to give families and young people a discount.

Under the current system, health insurance providers in Switzerland are permitted to charge for basic cover at three separate premium levels based on age. These levels are for children younger than 19, young adults aged 19 to 25 and everyone else aged 26 or over. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the average child’s premium in 2023 stood at 1.243 francs a year, compared to 3.409 francs for a young adult and 4.856 francs for everyone else.

System of insurance places huge financial burden on young families, says FDP

Nantermod argued that the current system places huge pressure on families with children, who are the most likely to apply for social assistance to help subsidise costs. Indeed, according to the latest Worry Barometer from UBS, health insurance costs are the biggest concern in Switzerland today.

At the same time, younger adults are required to pay the same insurance rates as the elderly, despite incurring lower costs. According to the FSO, of the 34,6 billion francs paid to healthcare providers in 2023, nearly half went to treating those 65 years old or older. At the same time, pensioners only contribute a quarter of insurance funding, despite having more financial assets than couples of working age.

"It is a fact that in health insurance, but also in pensions, a transfer from young to old takes place," Nantermod argued. Though he did not cite a specific figure, the councillor suggested that the elderly could pay a basic health insurance premium of 600 francs a month, around 200 francs more than currently.

Interestingly, Nantermod’s motion echoes a previous plan submitted to parliament in 2009 by former Centre Party National Councillor Ruth Humbel. In the proposal, Humbel called for a 50-franc-per-month surcharge on insurance premiums for those older than 55 or 60. "The formula 'poor equals old' is no longer true," she told reporters at the time.

Equal insurance costs a matter of "solidarity" argues Swiss government

However, the fate of the 2009 proposal suggests that Nantermod may not get very far in pushing for higher premiums for seniors - Humbel received hundreds of emails and phone calls calling for her resignation after she submitted the proposal. Pro-elderly advocacy groups also took umbrage, arguing the idea ignores the role the elderly play in supporting the economy through spending and unpaid work.

In the end, the Federal Council rejected the idea, arguing in a statement that "all insured persons contribute to solidarity between young and old and between the sick and the healthy." However, they added that they are "aware that [this] solidarity between generations can weigh heavily on young insured persons".