Swiss Social Security Chief Warns of Disability Insurance Crisis Under Rising Mental Health Claims
Doris Bianchi has now led Switzerland’s Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) for around 100 days. Before this role, she headed the Swiss Federal Office for Social Insurance (BSV) and worked extensively on social policy issues. Her focus has quickly turned to the financial pressures facing the disability insurance (DI) system.
Bianchi’s career in social policy spans decades. From 2005 to 2018, she worked at the Swiss Trade Union Federation, handling labour law, pensions, and social security matters. Her experience in these areas shaped her approach to current challenges.
The DI system is under strain due to a surge in new disability pensions, especially among young people with mental health conditions. Bianchi warns that without extra funding—such as higher payroll contributions or VAT increases—the system could become unstable. She also proposes rethinking disability benefits to include temporary support and coaching, giving young recipients better long-term prospects.
On pensions, she opposes raising the retirement age, citing the flexibility already introduced by the AHV 21 reform. Instead, she advocates aligning early retirement rules across the second and third pillars with those of the Old-Age and Survivors’ Insurance (OASI). This change would create a fairer balance within Switzerland’s three-pillar pension system.
Bianchi stresses the importance of social partnership in finding solutions. She believes compromise and collaboration are key to maintaining stability in the country’s social security framework.
Bianchi’s first months as FSIO director have highlighted urgent financial and structural issues in disability and pension systems. Her proposals aim to secure funding, improve support for young claimants, and ensure fairness across retirement rules. The next steps will depend on political and public responses to her recommendations.
