Exemption from the Public Sector Pension Plan (VBL)

All public-sector employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement are automatically enrolled in the supplementary pension plan (VBL). Research assistants and faculty members in special positions are typically hired only for relatively short periods. As a result, it is often not possible to meet the 60-month waiting period required for pension eligibility under the mandatory VBL coverage.

For this reason, employees covered by collective bargaining agreements who perform research activities may be exempted from mandatory VBL coverage.

In such cases, employers must instead establish an additional retirement plan through VBLextra. No employee contributions are required for this plan. Advantage: Pension benefits from this plan can be claimed even without fulfilling a waiting period.

Information on the Application Process

Here's how to free yourself:

Submit the completed written application for exemption to the Human Resources Department—Division 4.3— within the first two months of your employment
Please note: Once you have been exempted from mandatory insurance, retroactive enrollment in the VBL is no longer possible

Exceptional Cases

In the following cases, there is no possibility of exemption:

Unless you are employed as a researcher, you are not eligible for an exemption
Exemption is no longer possible if you were previously covered by mandatory insurance
Exemption is not possible once you have completed the 60-month waiting period during the term of your contract. As soon as the 60-month waiting period is completed (e.g., through a contract extension), you will be automatically enrolled in the supplemental pension plan.

A Comparison of Insurance Options:

	VBL Classic (Mandatory Insurance)	VBL Extra (Exemption)
Contributions	5.5% of the salary subject to supplementary pension contributions, paid by the employer 1.8% of the salary subject to supplementary pension contributions, paid by the employee	4.0% of the salary subject to supplementary pension contributions, paid by the employer No employee contribution
Interest	3.25% interest	0.25% interest
Waiting period	60 months	No waiting period, immediate eligibility