Social insurance advice: define the assignment and services
Advice may concern contributions, benefits, employment status or employer duties.
Define the assignment
AHV/IV, occupational pensions, accidents, earnings compensation and family allowances have different responsibilities. You do not need to identify the correct office yourself. Describe the practical issue and whether it concerns you, your own activity or employees.
Specify the result
Agree a clear explanation, review of available information or help with a specific administrative step. Comparing freely selectable policies is separate scope. Responsible compensation funds or IV offices are often initial contacts for AHV, IV, earnings compensation, family allowances and supplementary benefits; private advice does not replace their decision.
| Service | Agreement to make |
|---|---|
| Contributions / status | Clarify activity, period and responsible office |
| Benefit question | Explain current stage and next step |
| Employer | Define registrations and administrative responsibilities |
Prepare the inquiry
A brief reason, known letters or decisions and a date are enough initially. Employers can give the industry and actual employee count. Mention foreign work, posting or multiple activities as context. AHV numbers, payroll lists, bank details and medical files belong in a later agreed protected exchange.
Describe the scope and available information without copying confidential originals into the first inquiry. Unknown technical details can remain open. Later agree a suitable transfer channel and a person responsible for questions.
Clarify responsibilities and limits
Duties and benefits depend on matters such as activity, status, insurance and period. The responsible office determines self-employment under social insurance law from the actual circumstances. Statutory responsibility, cantonal rules and foreign connections may limit choices. Advice guarantees neither a benefit nor a classification. Known deadlines need separate attention.
Compare costs and billing
Separate advisory and administrative fees from contributions or insurance premiums. Analysis, an application and procedural representation are different services. Ask about billing, potential conflicts of interest and included insurance brokerage. Contribution or premium amounts cannot be derived from a general advisory price without case information.
Compare the same service over the same period. Ask for setup, ongoing work, additional effort, expenses and VAT to be shown separately where applicable. Clarify approval of additional work. Without specific information a national price range would be misleading.
How the assignment proceeds
Advice first identifies the question, responsible office and known deadlines. Then assemble records securely and agree the next action. Clarify who prepares and approves forms or letters and communicates with the office. Unresolved questions and further dates should be clear; a quotation inquiry does not establish representation.
First discuss the objective, scope and responsibilities. The quotation then records services, assumptions and exclusions. Check an agreed first stage before substantial further work starts. At completion record the result, unresolved matters and handover; changes need an agreed approval process.
Compare quotations carefully
Check what will actually be delivered and what contribution you must make, as well as price. A low basic fee can be offset by extras or missing services. Give every provider the same requirements.
| Check | What the quotation should explain |
|---|---|
| Scope | Included work and expressly excluded tasks |
| Cooperation | Contact person, questions and approvals |
| Billing | Charging basis, extras and terms for additional work |
| Role | Specify advice, administration, brokerage or representation |
Checklist before starting
Prepare these for focused initial advice.
- Reason. Give practical question and known stage
- Responsibility. Clarify canton, activity and foreign connection
- Records. Mention available records and agree protected exchange
Frequently asked questions
Can I inquire without knowing the responsible insurance branch?
Yes. Describe the issue in your own words. Identifying the branch and responsible office can be part of advice.
Is advice itself an application for benefits?
No. Preparation, submission and representation must be agreed separately. The responsible office examines eligibility.
Do I need complete records first?
No. Explain what is available and what remains to be clarified. Records needed for the actual work are agreed later.
Should I include confidential content in the inquiry?
No. A brief description of the need is enough. Credentials, complete customer files and information about third parties belong in a later agreed protected exchange.
Is the commissioned service free?
The free quotation inquiry does not replace a fee proposal. Agree costs and assignment terms with the selected provider.
How is the timetable agreed?
Give any known date and explain its significance. The provider must check capacity, necessary information and dependencies; an inquiry does not yet confirm a delivery date.
