During the 2002 survey, a set of questions from the module “Social Security” dealing, among others, with certain aspects of old-age provision, was included in the SLFS. Consequently, the Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) decided to commission a research project on the old-age provision section of the module. The data gathered through this module proved very helpful in obtaining an overview of the socioeconomic situation of people immediately prior to retirement. Also data on 2nd and 3a pillar insurance cover among the entire resident population of Switzerland were systematically collected for the first time.
Besides an analysis of the factors which influence 2nd and 3rd pillar old-age insurance cover, the study, conducted by the private research institute BASS, attempted to pinpoint the different pathways to retirement. In addition to the traditional categories of “statutory retirement” and “early retirement”, several sub-categories were also included – testimony to the fact that retirement is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. This study contributed to a better understanding of the characteristics of both individuals in statutory retirement and those in early retirement who are still gainfully employed (4th pillar). It also provided information on individuals who stated that they had taken early retirement but did not receive any type of old-age pension.