Almost one in two Switzerland stops working before the legal retirement age set at 65. But behind this figure hide very contrasting situations, as shown in a present report. Testimonies.
Between those who can afford to leave earlier and those forced to do so, pre-retirement appears to be a powerful revealing of socio-economic disparities.
System winners
“From 60 to 70 years old, it is years that are double. These are years that are worth gold,” says Claude-Alain Soom, 70, who left for pre-retirement at 60. This former manager was able to anticipate his departure thanks to a solid 2nd pillar and significant savings. “The fixed costs must be provided by the AVS and the second pillar. The rest is bonus,” he explains. A comfortable situation which allows him today to take full advantage of his retirement, between travel and water sports.
![Claude-Alain Soom, 70, who left for pre-retirement at 60, benefits from his retirement between travel and water sports [RTS]](https://img.rts.ch/articles/2025/image/ppngnm-28927366.image?mw=1280 "Claude-Alain Soom, 70, who left for pre-retirement at 60, benefits from his retirement between travel and water sports [RTS]")
In contrast to the spectrum, Catherine, 62, lives with 1908 francs of AVS per month after a chopped career: “With my daughter, studies, health funds, I did not arrive with a single salary at 60 or 80% to put money.” Forced to take a pre-retirement for health reasons, she now plans to request additional services. “I am not ashamed to ask for complementary services. I think that when we have worked all his life, that we have contributed all his life, it seems to me that we still have the right of services,” she says.
![Catherine, 62, lives with 1908 francs of AVS per month [RTS - Mise au Point]](https://img.rts.ch/articles/2025/image/vqpjhg-28927360.image?mw=1280 "Catherine, 62, lives with 1908 francs of AVS per month [RTS - Mise au Point]")
The risky bet of the chosen pre-retirement
Between these two extremes, some like Nicole, 62, bet to leave earlier despite uncertain income: “I had the impression that if I continued, I was going to grill my life expectancy capital.” A decision that she does not regret, even if she admits that she had to make financial sacrifices.
![Nicole, 62, made the bet to leave earlier despite uncertain income [RTS - Temps Présent]](https://img.rts.ch/articles/2025/image/vzwtuo-28927370.image?mw=1280 "Nicole, 62, made the bet to leave earlier despite uncertain income [RTS - Temps Présent]")
Maria Pia Mascaro et Xavier Nicol
