Swiss Voters Approve Higher Pensions, Reject Retirement Age Increase

Swiss voters have approved an extra month's pension each year in a referendum focused on elderly living standards, rejecting the government's warnings about affordability. The move aligns the state pension with the country's 13-instalment salary system and reflects the high cost of living in Switzerland, particularly for older people, women, and immigrants. The decision also saw the rejection of raising the retirement age, signaling a historic victory for retirees and highlighting the power of Switzerland's direct democracy system.