Form 318.000.1 — Application for an old-age pension for persons residing outside Switzerland

What is Form 318.000.1 old-age pension abroad?

Form 318.000.1 is how someone living outside Switzerland applies for the Swiss old-age pension from the federal old-age and survivors' insurance (OASI, known as AHV in German and AVS in French). Pensions for people abroad are paid by the Swiss Compensation Office (SCO), part of the Central Compensation Office (ZAS/CdC) in Geneva. The form collects everything the SCO needs to work out your contribution record: who you are, your marriages, where you lived and worked in Switzerland, your children, your spouse and any former or deceased spouse, and where the pension should be paid.

It is also where you choose when the pension starts. Part 7 lets you draw it early (all of it, or a share between 20% and 80%), and part 8 lets you defer all or part of it past the reference age in exchange for a supplement. Part 6 prints the reference age: 65 for men, and for women 64 if born in 1960 or before, rising by three months a year to 65 for women born in 1964 or later.

FileIt guides you through all fifteen parts in plain English, opens extra rows only when you need them, checks your OASI numbers and IBAN, and warns you if an early-pension start date falls outside the ages the form allows. Your answers are printed into the SCO's own official PDF, with names, dates of birth and e-mail pre-filled from the People records in your FileIt vault, and the finished form is saved in that person's folder. You print it, sign it by hand and send it yourself; FileIt never submits it.

Who needs to fill out Form 318.000.1 old-age pension abroad?

• Anyone who lives outside Switzerland, paid into the Swiss AHV/AVS and is approaching their reference age.
• Swiss citizens living abroad as well as foreign nationals who once lived or worked in Switzerland (part 14 applies only to non-Swiss applicants whose claim goes through a foreign institution).
• People who want to take their Swiss pension early, from 63 (or from 62 for women born 1961 to 1969), in full or in part.
• People who want to defer their Swiss pension by 12 to 60 months to receive a supplement.
• Those who have also worked or paid contributions in an EU member state, the UK or an EFTA state, who send form E 207 with this application.
• Family members or representatives helping an applicant, who can be named in the optional power of attorney.

When to use Form 318.000.1 old-age pension abroad

• As you approach your reference age, so the pension can start on time.
• For an early pension, no later than the month before you reach the age at which you want it to start; the form says applications can't be backdated.
• For a deferment, no later than one year after reaching the reference age.
• Once only for the initial claim; if you keep working after the reference age, part 9 explains that a one-off recalculation can be requested once.

What you need before you start

• A valid identity document (a copy goes with the form).
• Your 13-digit OASI (AHV/AVS) number starting with 756, and your spouse's and former or deceased spouse's if they have one.
• Official documents for every change of marital status: marriage certificate, partnership registration, divorce decree with its date of entry into force, family record booklet, death certificate and so on.
• The dates of each marriage, and of any widowhood, divorce or separation.
• Where and when you lived in Switzerland (month and year, with your permit type if you are not Swiss) and each employer's name and address with dates.
• Your children's names, dates of birth (and death, if applicable) and the other parent's details; birth or adoption certificates if you enclose them.
• Your bank's name, address and SWIFT/BIC or clearing code, and your personal IBAN.
• Form E 207, if you have worked or paid contributions in an EU member state, the UK or an EFTA state.
• Swiss OASI insurance certificates, residence or domicile certificates and work certificates, if you have them; they make your insurance periods easier to check.

What’s on Form 318.000.1 old-age pension abroad

The 2023 edition has 8 pages. FileIt asks for it in 13 parts:

1. 1 IdentityApplicant
2. 2 Payment addressApplicant
3. 3 Residence and professional activityApplicant
4. 4 ChildrenApplicant
5. 5 Application for benefits in progressApplicant
6. 7 Early pensionApplicant
7. 8 Deferment of old-age pensionApplicant
8. 10 Identity of the spouseApplicant
9. 11 Identity of the deceased spouse or ex-spouseApplicant
10. 12 SignatureApplicant
11. 13 Copies of documents to be enclosedApplicant
12. 14 Institution responsible for submitting the applicationForeign institution
13. 15 Power of attorney (optional)Applicant

How to fill out Form 318.000.1 old-age pension abroad, step by step

1 1 Identity

Your surnames (including your maiden name), all first names with the one you usually use in capitals, date of birth, OASI number and sex. For marital status, tick 'single' or fill in the marriage table: up to three marriages, each with the date you married and, where it applies, when you were widowed, divorced or separated. Then your home address, e-mail and phone, a correspondence address if different, your nationalities and, for Swiss citizens, the date of citizenship and place of origin.

2 2 Payment address

The bank or post office's name and address, the bank code (clearing number or SWIFT/BIC; in Australia the BSB number, in Canada the transit number, in the USA the ABA code) and your personal IBAN. The form also asks you to complete the ZAS form 'Request for payment of OASI/DI benefits to a personal bank or post office account'.

3 3 Residence and professional activity

To determine your exact contribution periods, list where you lived in Switzerland (with month and year, and your permit type if you are a foreign national) and every employer, with name, address and dates. There are four residence rows and five employer rows. Then say whether you have worked or paid contributions in an EU member state, the UK or an EFTA state; if yes, enclose form E 207.

4 4 Children

Up to three children with surname, first names, date of birth, date of death if applicable, sex, status (own, spouse's or partner's, adopted or fostered) and the other parent's name and date of birth. Give all children, even adults and those who have died. The form explains educational credits for years you had parental authority over a child under 16, and a child's pension until 18 (or 25 if still in education) — enclose the documents it lists.

5 5 Application for benefits in progress

Whether a claim for OASI/DI benefits has already been made for you, your spouse or a child.

6 6 Reference age (retirement age)

Information only: 65 for men; for women 64 if born in 1960 or before, 64 years and 3, 6 or 9 months for those born in 1961, 1962 or 1963, and 65 from 1964.

7 7 Early pension

Whether you want to draw the pension early and from which month (mm.yyyy), and whether you want all of it or a share — either a percentage from 20% to 80% or a monthly amount in CHF (for guidance only). An early pension is reduced for the rest of your retirement. Men, and women born after 31.12.1969, can take it between 63 and 65; women born from 1961 to 1969 from 62.

8 8 Deferment of old-age pension

Whether you want to defer the pension and, if not all of it, the share you want to receive at the reference age (again a percentage from 20% to 80%, or a CHF amount). The deferment lasts at least 12 and at most 60 months. You can't ask for an early pension and a deferment at the same time; FileIt flags it if you do.

9 9 Professional activity after the reference age

Information only: income from work after the reference age can count towards your pension up to age 70, and can fill contribution gaps if it reaches at least 40% of your average income before the reference age. A one-off recalculation can be requested only once.

10 10 Identity of the spouse

Your current spouse's names, address if different from yours, OASI number, date of birth, date of marriage, nationalities, Swiss citizenship details, and where and when they lived or worked in Switzerland.

11 11 Identity of the deceased spouse or ex-spouse

The same details for a spouse who has died or a former spouse, with the dates of marriage, divorce and death. List any others on a separate sheet.

12 12 Signature

You declare that your answers are complete and true, and that benefits paid on the basis of inaccurate information must be returned. Add the place and date and sign by hand. If you are under guardianship or curatorship, give the guardian's or curator's name and address.

13 13 Copies of documents to be enclosed

Always enclose a valid identity document and the documents for every change of marital status. Tick the other documents you send: children's certificates, identity documents for everyone named (except ex-spouses), a naturalisation certificate, original OASI stamp books for students, other documents, and any Swiss insurance, residence or work certificates.

14 14 Institution responsible for submitting the application

Only for applicants who are not Swiss nationals and whose claim is submitted through a foreign social security institution. That institution adds the place and date, its signature and stamp, and any comments.

15 15 Power of attorney (optional)

Name a representative, with address, to act for you and receive all decisions and documents — only for this application or until you revoke it. You both sign and date it, and you attach a copy of the representative's ID.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing an early-pension start that is too soon or already past. The form says applications can't be backdated and gives the earliest ages; FileIt checks the month against your date of birth.
• Asking for both an early pension and a deferment.
• Leaving out marriages, divorces or a deceased spouse, or not enclosing the official documents for each change of marital status.
• Listing only some Swiss homes or jobs. The SCO uses part 3 to work out your contribution periods, so give every one you can, with month and year.
• Forgetting form E 207 when you also worked in the EU, the UK or an EFTA state.
• Mistyping an OASI number or IBAN. FileIt checks both, but compare them with your certificates and bank statement.
• Skipping the separate bank form the SCO asks for alongside part 2.

After you fill it out

Print the PDF FileIt produces, sign part 12 by hand with the place and date (and part 15 with your representative, if you use it). If a foreign social security institution is submitting the claim for you, it completes and stamps part 14.

Send the form with the copies listed in part 13, plus form E 207 and the bank form where they apply, to the Swiss Compensation Office. FileIt never submits it. Check the ZAS website for the current postal address before you post it.

Your completed application is kept in your FileIt vault, in your folder, together with scans of what you enclosed, so you can answer any questions from the SCO with exactly what you sent.

Form 318.000.1 old-age pension abroad: frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Blank form (PDF), published by Central Compensation Office (CCO / ZAS / CdC) — Swiss Compensation Office (SCO / SAK / CSC): https://www.zas.admin.ch/dam/en/sd-web/gMdCjl9-9vKD/318.000.1_2023_en.pdf
• Official instructions and guidance: https://www.zas.admin.ch/en/pdf-forms
• Edition shown on this page: 318.000.1 (English, 2023 file) (checked 2026-09-26).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Central Compensation Office (CCO / ZAS / CdC) — Swiss Compensation Office (SCO / SAK / CSC) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-26.

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