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Voluntary extra contributions: better benefits, save on taxesBenefits can be increased by means of uncomplicated extra contributions. The maximum level of voluntary extra contributions is limited, however, and can be requested from the Pension Fund at any time.Extra contributions to the retirement plan to purchase missing insurance years are possible at any time within the limits stipulated in the regulations – up to four extra contributions per calendar year may be paid into the Pension Fund.In the event of early withdrawal for home ownership purposes, however, voluntary extra contributions may not be paid in until the sum withdrawn has been repaid. But this does not apply in the case of extra contributions as a result of a divorce.FAQWhat is the maximum possible purchase?The maximum retirement savings can be determined with reference to the purchase scale in Annex 3 of the regulations. If the accumulated retirement savings are lower than this, the difference can be made up through voluntary extra…

Designation of beneficiaries by insured membersIf an active insured member or a recipient of a retirement or disability pension dies before reaching the age of 65, a lump sum on death is paid out to the entitled beneficiaries. Insured members can designate the sequence of beneficiaries themselves within certain limits.In the event of death of an insured member of the Syngenta Pension Fund before the age of 65, a lump sum on death is paid out amounting to double the annual insured disability pension.Insured members may file a written amendment to the sequence of beneficiaries with the Pension Fund. This means that on the one hand additional persons supported by the insured person in the years leading up to death can be designated beneficiaries and, on the other, the formula for distribution between the beneficiaries can be changed in part.FAQWhen is a lump sum on death paid out?The lump sum on death is paid out in the event of death before the age of 65.How high is the lump sum on death?The lump sum on death…

Admission: provision of benefits for Syngenta employeesEmployees of Syngenta companies in Switzerland are automatically insured by Syngenta Pension Fund.Insurance in the Syngenta Pension Fund is mandatory for all employees of Syngenta. Anyone who is over the age of 18 and whose annual base salary exceeds the minimum salary stipulated in law (see regulations for exceptions).Employees on hourly rates, part-time employees and ancillary staff who meet the general conditions for admission are also explicitly insured.On admission to the Syngenta Pension Fund, possible vested benefits, i.e. portable sums from previous benefits schemes in Switzerland, will be credited to the retirement plan.FAQWhen do I join the Pension Fund?You are admitted to the Pension Fund when you take up employment with the company, but not before the age of 18 (when contributions for risk insurance start). At the age of 25, the savings process begins for retirement assets on the retirement account.How is the age calculated for admission…

Promotion of home ownership: early withdrawal or pledgeUp to the age of 62, insured members can withdraw a sum or pledge part of their pension funds to purchase a home for their own use.Insured members can withdraw pension funds early for the purchase or construction of a home for their own use in sole ownership, co-ownership or joint ownership with their spouse or a registered partner. The funds can only be claimed for one object at the same time. It is not permitted to use the funds for holiday or second homes or for the purchase of land with no intention of building.With these funds, insured members may    repay mortgages    make investments to preserve or increase the value of a home    acquire shares in a housing cooperative.The early withdrawal is regarded as a lump-sum withdrawal and is taxable at a reduced rate when it is paid out. The relevant tax authority is also notified of the early withdrawal by Syngenta Pension Fund. For insured members who live…

Disability: financial assistance in the case of incapacity for workIn the event of disability, insured members receive a disability pension depending on the degree of disability.Insured members who are at least 40 percent incapacitated are entitled to a disability pension. The degree of disability is defined according to the Federal Disability Insurance.In the case of full disability, the pension amounts to 60% of the insured remunerations at the start of unfitness to work. The retirement savings continue to be accummulated up to age  65. At this point the disability pension is redefined by converting the continued retirement savings into a lifelong pension.FAQHow high is the disability-related child pension?If an insured person has children who are below the age of 20 (or 25 if in education) an additional pension is paid for each child amounting to 20% of the disability pension received.What happens with the retirement account?The retirement credits on the retirement account continue to be paid by the…

Funding contributions: a choice of three modelsSeparate contributions are paid for the retirement and capital plans and for risk insurance. In the retirement plan, insured members can choose the level of contributions from three scales.The benefits of the Syngenta Pension Fund are funded through the contributions of its insured members and the company. The company covers around two-thirds of the total funding.In the retirement plan, insured members can choose the level of their own contributions from three scales. The retirement benefit can thus be adjusted to the individual needs of insured members.Insured members can choose between the following three contribution scales up to 1 July of the given year: normal, superior (+1.5%) or excellent (+3%). If no written notification to this effect is received, the normal scale applies.The contributions are calculated in percent of the insured remuneration and deducted from the monthly salary.The total contributions (incl. risk contributions) of the insured members…

Leaving: transfer of vested benefitsWhen an insured member leaves the Syngenta Pension Fund, the vested benefits are transferred to the pension fund of the new employer. In special cases, a cash disbursement is possible.If the contract of employment is terminated, the insured person leaves the Pension fund and is entitled to vested benefits. When a person leaves the Syngenta Pension Fund, the portable sum is transferred to the occupational benefits scheme of the new employer or to a vested benefits institution of the person's choice.A cash disbursement is only possible if the insured person takes up self-employment or is leaving Switzerland permanently.If the Pension Fund does not receive any notification on how the vested benefits are to be used, the portable sum will be transferred to the BVG Suppletory Institution (Article 60BVG) six months after the person leaves the Pension Fund (possible costs of the transfer will be at charge of the person leaving the pension fund.FAQHow are the vested benefits made…

Retirement: pension or lump sum - or both?Retirement savings can be paid out on retirement either in full or in part as a lump sum or as a lifelong pension. Ordinary retirement age in the Syngenta Pension Fund at present is 65 for men and women. Early retirement is possible from the age of 60. On retirement, the retirement savings may be converted into a pension and taken in whole or in part as a lump sum.Retirement can be taken in one or more steps (partial retirement). FAQHow is the level of the variable retirement pension calculated?The retirement savings accumulated at the time of retirement are converted into a retirement pension using the conversion rate. The Syngenta retirement pension consists of a basic retirement pension and the variable retirement pension. The guaranteed basic pension is determined on the basis of the conversion rate determining the basic pension. In addition, the target pension is determined on the basis of the conversion rate for determining the target pension.&nbsp…

Death: benefit payments for survivorsIn the event of death of a married insured member, the Syngenta Pension Fund pays out a lifelong spouse’s pension. In addition, a lump sum on death is paid out.In the event of death of an insured person, the survivors are entitled to the following benefits:    Spouse’s or domestic partner’s pension    Orphan’s pension    Lump sum on deathThe spouse’s pension is paid out if the marriage lasted at least five years and the surviving partner is at least 35 years of age or has to provide for at least one child – regardless of whether the deceased person was already retired. Domestic partners of unmarried insured members are entitled to a domestic partners pension, provided a domestic partner's agreement has been filed with the Pension Fund during the lifetime of the deceased partner.If an insured person dies before reaching the age of 65, a lump sum is paid out to the survivors, in addition to the spouse's or domestic partner's…

 On these pages, employees of Syngenta can find things worth knowing about the different topics of the Pension Fund, occupational benefits schemes and social security, as well as a wealth of information, information sheets and brochures.Pension insurance certificate: The individual insurance data can be found in the annual insurance certificate, which provides detailed information.Choice of contribution scale:Insured members can choose once a year whether they want to pay in more or less contributions into their retirement savings account.Information sheets:Answers to the most important detailed questions of insured members concerning occupational benefits.Brochures:Easily understandable information on the social security system and the Pension Fund is summarized in brochures.State pension:How does the social security system actually work in Switzerland?Glossary:Here you will find explanations of specialist terms concerning occupational benefits and the Pension Fund.

May 2021In May, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 0.59%.The funding ratio is 123.8% at the end of May.April 2021In April, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 0.92%.The funding ratio is 123.3% at the end of April.March 2021In March, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 2.45%.The funding ratio is 120% at the end of March.February 2021In February, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 1.39%. The YTD return at the end of February was 0.92%.The funding ratio is 119.9% at the end of February.January 2021In January, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of -0.46%.The funding ratio is 116.6% at the end of January.You can reach us under the telephone number +41 61 323 51 17 or email pensionskasse.info@syngenta.comArchive

December 2020In December, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 2.45%. The YTD return at the end of December was 4.6%.The funding ratio is 117.5% at the end of December.November 2020In November, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 3.86%. The YTD return at the end of November was 2.1%.The funding ratio is 115.4% at the end of November.October 2020 In October, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of -0.84%. The YTD return at the end of October was -1.69%.The funding ratio is 111.4% at the end of October.September 2020In September, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 0.48%. The YTD return at the end of September was -0.86%.The funding ratio is 112.6% at the end of September.August 2020In August, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 0.76%. The YTD return at the end of August was -1.33%.The funding ratio is 112.2% at the end of August.July 2020In July, the Syngenta Pension Fund achieved a return of 1.1%. The funding ratio at the end of July was 111.6%.&nbsp…