Key Benefits:
(State on 26 May 2015)
Original text
| The Executive Director of GCERF Global Fund for Community Engagement and Resilience Geneva |
Geneva, May 26, 2015 |
| Mr. Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern |
Mr. Federal Councillor,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 26 May 2015, the contents of which are as follows:
" Referring to art. 26, para. 2, let. C, of the Federal Act of 22 June 2007 on privileges, immunities and facilities, as well as on financial assistance granted by Switzerland as a Host State (LEH) 1 Authorising the Federal Council to conclude international agreements on the status of staff members of Swiss nationality of the institutional beneficiaries referred to in Art. 2, para. 1, LEH in Swiss social insurance (AVS/AI/APG and AC), I have the honour to inform you of the following:
On behalf of the Swiss Federal Council, I have the honour to propose that as from the entry into force of the Agreement of 26 May 2015 between the Swiss Federal Council and the GCERF, the Global Fund for the Commitment of the Community and the Resilience (GCERF) in view To determine the legal status of the GCERF in Switzerland 2 , the Swiss civil servants of the GCERF are no longer considered by the host State to be insured under the compulsory old-age and survivors' insurance (AVS), to the invalidity insurance (DI), to the benefit-loss benefit scheme (APG) and unemployment insurance (UI), provided that they are affiliated with a system of foresight provided by the GCERF. If they perform their duties in Switzerland, they will be able to join, on a voluntary basis, either at the AVS/AI/APG/AC or at HQ alone. In order to do so, they must file their application with the compensation fund of the canton of their home within three months of their affiliation to a system of foresight provided for by the GCERF or within three months of the date of the application. The signing of the Exchange of Letters.
In addition, I have the honour to propose that the spouses, Swiss or foreign, of the Swiss international civil servants of the GCERF, who are domiciled in Switzerland, are no longer compulsorily insured by the AVS/AI/APG, when they Do not engage in a gainful occupation at the time of the international civil servant's affiliation to the system of foresight provided for by the GCERF or when they subsequently cease their lucrative business. They will be able to join the AVS/AI/APG on a voluntary basis. In order to do so, they must file their application with the compensation fund of the canton of their domicile within three months of the international civil servant's affiliation to a system of foresight provided for by the GCERF, or in a Three months from the termination of their gainful occupation. The regulations described above also apply to spouses-who do not enjoy privileges and immunities-of foreign international civil servants who are exempt from Swiss social security under s. 1 A , para. 2, let. A, LAVS 3 .
Insured persons may, at any time, terminate all insurance coverage they have chosen for the end of the current month. Employees who are insured on the APS/AI/APG/AC may, however, choose to terminate only the AVS/AI/APG and maintain their affiliation with the CA. The termination is valid for the duration of the international civil servant's commitment to the GCERF service. Subject to the specific conditions set out in this letter, the provisions of the AVS/AI/APG will be applicable to all policyholders; the provisions of the CA will be applicable only to public servants. Those insured persons who fail to meet their obligations within the prescribed time limit will be excluded after warning.
The GCERF provides the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs with a list of officials of Swiss nationality affiliated to a system of foresight provided by the GCERF at the time of entry into force of the Headquarters Agreement and shall notify in writing each Admission or exit of a Swiss official to the audit or the said system.
I would be grateful if you would let me know if the above meets your approval. If yes, this letter and your reply will constitute an agreement by way of exchange of letters. It will enter into force on the day of its signature. It may be terminated by either party on the first day of a calendar year, subject to twelve months' written notice. '
On behalf of the GCERF, I accept the provisions contained in your letter. As a result, your letter and mine constitute an agreement by way of exchange of letters which has entered into force today. It may be terminated by either party on the first day of a calendar year, subject to twelve months' written notice.
Please accept, Mr. Federal Councillor, the assurance of my high regard.
Khalid Koser
1 RS 192.12
2 RS 0.192.120.194.1
3 LF of Dec 20. 1946 on old-age and survivors' insurance (RS 831.10 )
