10.21.4.20 Who can Lodge Claims for Swiss Benefits under the Agreement with Switzerland

Who can claim

The Agreement with Switzerland contains all the claim lodgement provisions discussed in 10.1.4. Only Australian citizens, their family members and survivors, or Swiss nationals may claim a Swiss benefit under the Agreement.

Swiss benefits can be paid to Australian citizens, their family members and survivors, whether in Switzerland or a third country, under the same conditions as apply to Swiss nationals and their family members and survivors.

An Australian citizen who does not reside in Switzerland or permanently leaves Switzerland is obliged to take a lump sum benefit if their ordinary old age or survivor's partial pension would be no more than 10% of the corresponding ordinary full pension.

An Australian citizen who does not reside in Switzerland or permanently leaves Switzerland has the choice of taking a lump sum benefit or the ongoing pension if their ordinary old age or survivor's partial pension would be between 10 and 20% (inclusive) of the corresponding ordinary full pension.

These same principles apply to Swiss disability benefits if the person is at least 55 years of age and Swiss insurance verification conditions have been satisfied.