Jobseekers aged 50 plus

A key aim of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) and public employment service is to integrate jobseekers into the labour market as quickly and effectively as possible. Over-50s already account for around a third of Switzerland's working population, and that figure is projected to rise further between now and 2050. The 50+ age group is therefore an important domestic pool of labour for the Swiss economy.

While older employees are not more likely than younger workers to lose their jobs, their search for a new job usually takes longer and may involve certain challenges. In order to promote the professional re-integration of jobseekers aged 50 or over, the public employment service offers specific advice and services for this age group. What's more, those aged over 55 may, under certain conditions, be able to draw UI benefits for longer.

 

Targeted support for jobseekers aged 50 plus

Additional daily allowances

Provided they have contributed for at least 22 months, those aged 55 or over are entitled to 520 days' worth of benefits and an additional 120 days' worth, if they lose their job within 4 years of reaching the UI retirement age (resulting in a maximum entitlement of 640 days).

Labour market measures (LMM)

Training and employment measures:

You can brush up your professional skills by participating in courses and training. At the same time, employment measures offer temporary employment opportunities and help you develop your skills and expertise.

Situation analysis courses and courses on job application strategies:

A situation analysis helps you to identify the experience you have gathered over the years and the skills and expertise acquired. This then allows a targeted job application. Courses on job application strategies can help you with this.

The list of different measures sets out the objectives and conditions. The labour market authorities in your canton or your RAV personnel consultant will be happy to advise you. Many cantons offer LMMs aimed at specific target groups. In addition, under Art. 59 para. 3bis UIA, jobseekers can take part in employment and training measures until the end of the time limit, regardless of their entitlement to unemployment benefits.

Many cantons offer LMM for specific target groups.

Induction grants

This measure offers insured persons who are eligible to receive daily allowances the opportunity to brush up or expand their specialist skills by completing an induction period with an employer. The employer receives support in the form of an induction grant if the insured person is employed under customary conditions for the location and sector after the induction period.  At the beginning of the employment relationship, the grant amounts to 60% of the monthly salary, where 40% must be covered by the employer. During the induction period, the employer's share then increases. This labour market measure may be deployed for up to 12 months for insured persons aged 50 or over. Older employees account for the largest group on this scheme.

Impulse programme: measures to facilitate the return to work

In the years 2020 to 2022, the cantons will implement projects designed to facilitate the return to work of jobseekers whose reintegration into the employment market is more difficult. Older jobseekers in particular are expected to benefit from these projects. In the long term, all the cantons should introduce personalized measures that are appropriate to the target group to support the sustainable return to work of the individuals concerned. At the same time, the projects give the cantons an opportunity to trial new approaches and introduce them on a long-term basis if they prove successful.

For an overview of cantonal projects approved to date, click on the following link. Further information on individual projects can be obtained from the cantons concerned.

Impulsprogramm (M5) - Übersicht bewilligte Projekte (PDF, 211 kB, 29.04.2025)

 

 

Pilot trial: Supported employment for jobseekers aged 50 or over

For measure 6, the Federal Council commissioned SECO to carry out a pilot trial for jobseekers aged 50 or over who are about to lose their unemployment benefits. SECO subsequently decided, together with the Association of Swiss Labour Market Authorities (VSAA) and experts from the public employment service, to test a new labour market measure through this pilot trial.

The supported employment programme is a new approach to re-integrating jobseekers aged 50 or over into the labour market. Job coaches actively support jobseekers in finding a suitable role and support them and their employers even after they have started the new job. The pilot trial is to run in 13 cantons from August 2021 to December 2025. The body responsible for running the project is the VSAA, while SECO is the project sponsor.

New programme: supported employment for over 50s

 

 

 

 

Obviously, services are available beyond the scope of the UI, two examples of which are listed below:

Bridging benefits: Bridging benefits for older unemployed people

Angebot viamia – offers a free SWOT analysis, potential testing and careers advice for adults aged 40 or over (who are not entitled to comparable offers from UI/RAV or DI) : viamia – assessment of professional situation