Cohabitation is not a "quasi-marriage"
Published on 2026-03-31
Many couples live in cohabitation – and are convinced: “We are secure, we have the pension fund.”
The reality is often different.
🔍 3 sensitive points for cohabiting couples:
No statutory inheritance rights: The cohabiting partner inherits nothing without a will nothing.
Death benefit from the pension fund: Without a clear beneficiary designation, the money may go to others – not to the partner.
Taxes: Spouses and statutory heirs are often significantly privileged in terms of taxes, cohabiting partners are not. This can lead to serious financial surprises in many cantons.
Especially in the canton of Zurich, this can also lead to massive gaps – emotionally and financially.
✅ Meaningful steps:
Cohabitation agreement
Will & inheritance contract (consider mandatory shares)
Check and update beneficiary designation in the pension fund
Advance directive & power of attorney
Those living in cohabitation and having assets or pension fund balances should proactively plan their provisions – not wait until it’s too late.
👉 Have you already had your situation comprehensively reviewed (provisions, inheritance law, taxes)?