After the Swiss people voted in the Partnership Act in the Referendum of 5 June 2005, same-sex couples from 1 January 2007 may register their civil union at the registry office. Their civil status is termed a "registered partnership and is largely deemed to be equivalent to marriage.
The following terms and conditions shall apply to employee benefits and therefore to the insurance relationship with the Pension Fund:
As regards survivors' benefitsthe surviving registered partner shall be equated with a widow or widower.
Likewise in the event of early withdrawal or pledging under the promotion of home ownership arrangements and also in the event of lump-sum payment of benefits, the written, officially certified agreement of the other registered partner must be obtained.
In the event that the registered partnership is dissolved by a court, the benefits vested throughout the duration of the registered partnership shall be apportioned under the rules of the law on divorce.