Research from the University of Rochester suggests that marriage significantly enhances longevity, particularly for men with heart issues. A study showed that 83% of happily married men survived post-surgery compared to only 36% of single men. Additionally, government analysis indicates married individuals generally live longer than singles. The ongoing debate about pension systems highlights perceived inequalities and potential financial impacts of changing pension structures for married couples, with concerns about fairness for single individuals in the system.
Does Marriage Contribute to Longevity?
The intriguing question of whether marriage enhances longevity has been explored by a research team at the University of Rochester, focusing specifically on individuals with heart-related issues. They conducted a study involving 225 patients who underwent bypass surgery. After a span of fifteen years, the results were striking: only 36 percent of single men were still alive, whereas a remarkable 83 percent of married men who reported having a happy marriage survived.
Numerous studies have echoed this finding, indicating that married individuals tend to enjoy better overall health. They face a lower risk of dying from cancer and experience fewer heart attacks. Researchers suggest that marriage offers a protective benefit, as partners in a committed relationship are more likely to abandon unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive drinking. Moreover, the emotional and financial support provided by marriage can significantly contribute to well-being, fostering closeness and assistance in times of need.
The Impact of Marital Status on Life Expectancy
A recent government analysis has shed light on the strong correlation between marital status and life expectancy. The findings reveal that single men typically die six years earlier than their married counterparts, while single women have a four-year shorter lifespan. Upon reaching retirement age, married men can expect to live an additional 3.8 years compared to single men, and married women live 2.9 years longer than single women. The study highlights that these disparities in life expectancy surpass those associated with factors such as education, nationality, income, or occupation.
The discussion surrounding the treatment of married couples in the pension system has sparked controversy, especially with an upcoming parliamentary debate regarding a proposed initiative aimed at eliminating perceived discrimination against married individuals in the old-age pension system (AHV). Currently, couples’ joint pensions cannot exceed 150 percent of the maximum individual pension, which stands at 3780 francs per month. The initiative seeks to remove this cap, with the government estimating that it would result in an additional 4 billion francs in annual costs.
While some may perceive the cap as an unfair limitation for married individuals, pension expert Andreas Zeller argues that a broader analysis reveals married couples actually benefit from the system. He estimates that single and divorced individuals contribute 1.5 billion francs annually to subsidize the extended pension durations of married couples due to their longer life expectancy. Furthermore, in the event of a partner’s death, the AHV provides a widow’s or widower’s pension, adding an annual expense of 2 billion francs. Additionally, a widow’s allowance of 20 percent at retirement age costs the AHV another 1.5 billion francs, a benefit that has persisted despite modern compensatory measures for child-rearing.
Married individuals also gain from income splitting, where incomes during the marriage are shared equally, potentially boosting the pension of the lower-earning spouse. Non-working partners often benefit from exemptions from AHV contributions, resulting in additional costs of about 1 billion francs per year. Therefore, even excluding the aspect of higher life expectancy, married individuals benefit significantly from the AHV.
The initiative for increasing couples’ pensions argues that cohabiting without marriage is more financially advantageous for couples of retirement age. Sylvia Locher, president of Pro Single Switzerland, counters that treating married couples the same as cohabiting partners could undermine security in case of death and lead to higher inheritance taxes.
If married individuals were to receive enhanced pensions, Locher warns that it would disproportionately affect the 1.5 million single households, highlighting a lack of representation for single individuals in political discussions and societal appreciation.
Locher further notes that the current cap aligns with OECD guidelines, which dictate that living costs for two individuals in a household should be set at 150 percent of those for a single person. This same principle guides the allocation of AHV supplementary benefits, where married couples receive one and a half times what single individuals do.
Statistics show no increased risk of poverty among married retirees. In fact, only 6 percent of couples over 65 struggle with financial resources for unexpected expenses, compared to 16 percent of single households. The reliance on supplementary benefits also reflects this trend, with 22 percent of single retirees depending on them versus just 6 percent of married retirees.
Ultimately, increasing couples’ pensions may primarily benefit wealthier individuals. Federal statistics indicate that 70 percent of married individuals aged 65 to 74 own property, in contrast to only 41 percent of single individuals. Zeller emphasizes that abolishing the pension cap would lead to a redistribution of resources favoring the affluent, even within the married demographic.
While the Federal Council opposes the initiative, it is anticipated to garner support in parliament, with discussions underway for a potential increase of the cap from 150 to 170 percent, which could incur additional annual costs of 2.5 billion francs.
The extent of political backing for married individuals will soon be revealed during the National Council committee meeting in mid-April, with the electorate ultimately having the final decision. Following the approval of the 13th AHV pension, further substantial expenditures could soon be on the horizon for the social welfare system.