Start with your documents
Gather pension certificates, letters from pension funds and vested-benefits statements you already have. They may already identify where your assets are held. Also note previous employers and approximate employment periods.
You can request a search with an incomplete employment history. Copies of employment or insurance documents may help with additional checks. Keep the originals yourself.
The official search is free
You can apply directly to the Central Office for the 2nd Pillar without using an intermediary. Use the official form and select a search for yourself. Searching does not require you to purchase a service.
Prepare your current and previous names, date of birth and address. Include your AVS/AHV number if you know it. The official form does not mark that number as mandatory. Enter these details only with the appropriate recipient, not on this page.
Completing the form does not send it
The online form prepares your application. According to the official instructions reviewed, you must then print, sign and send it by email or post. Only signed requests are processed.
Check current contact details and instructions on the official website when sending your request. Keep a copy of the signed form and a record of submission. The procedure does not guarantee a response time.
A match is not a confirmed balance
The Central Office compares your details with reports from pension and vested-benefits institutions. It does not hold your assets. Nor does it decide the amount you are entitled to.
If a match appears, both you and the relevant institution are notified. Contact that institution to establish possible rights and obtain available information. A match neither confirms a balance nor promises payment.
Finding assets does not mean withdrawing cash
Searching locates possible pension relationships. It is neither a withdrawal application nor a transfer authorisation. Further steps depend on your circumstances and the institution’s requirements.
If you have a current pension fund, ask it how to handle previous assets. For departure from Switzerland or other special circumstances, have the applicable conditions checked. Do not choose a destination solely because a search match appears.
What about Piliavo?
Piliavo presents an independent search service with optional administrative assistance. This website remains a preview: it sends no requests and collects no personal files. You can use the free official route now without waiting for our service.