Some 230,000 senior citizens who are entitled to supplementary benefits from the state do not apply for them, according to a study by Pro Senectute Switzerland, a charitable foundation for issues relating to older people.
The foundation says that ignorance of the existence of additional benefits is the main reason that people are missing out on financial help that they are entitled to.
Pro Senectute says that some elderly people view benefits as an essential part of financing for their retirement whereas others simply don’t know that they exist.
Other factors that stop senior citizens applying for state benefits include finding the application process too complicated, not wanting to be a burden on the state or depend on money from others, and fears that they will be stigmatised if they receive benefits or concerned that they may lose their right to be resident in Switzerland.
The foundation says that an expanding elderly population and an increase in the cost of living mean that more senior citizens could be in need of supplementary benefits in the future.
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