Life certificate

Each year, all beneficiaries in receipt of a pension are required to complete a life certificate.

This annual exercise allows us to:

  • Verify that the benefits you are receiving are accurate
  • Ensure that your personal information is correct and up to date

It is important that you return your life certificate to avoid any interruption in your pension payments.

 

Life certificate exercise timeframe

Once a year in November, you will receive your life certificate by post. You are requested to verify your personal information, update it if needed, and return the life certificate no later than the end of January.

 

Completion of your life certificate

Each section should be marked “Yes” or “No” otherwise the certificate will be considered invalid.

1.Check your personal information  

  • Verify your postal address, contact information, marital status and emergency contacts
  • Tick Yes if the information is correct, or No if there has been a change
  • If No, please write the new information in the space provided

2. Sign and date the certificate  

You, or your legal guardian (if applicable), should sign and date the life certificate

  • Your spouse or partner should also sign   

3. Return the document

You can send your signed certificate using one of the following methods:

By post: CERN Pension Fund – Benefits Service – 1211 GENEVA 23 – SWITZERLAND

Drop-off:

  • In our mailbox located in building 33 (open Monday to Friday, 7.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.)
  • In our office located in building 5, 5th floor, office 027

Returning this document by email is possible; however, please note that the Pension Fund will never request you to transmit personal data in this way.

 

Related documents

FAQ Life certificate

FAQ

I have heard that I must complete a life certificate each year. What is this and why is it so important?

The annual Life Certificate exercise helps the Pension Fund to ensure that payments to beneficiaries are accurate and that the information it holds remains up to date.

Failure to return the duly completed and signed life certificate may result in the suspension of payment of your benefits until it is received by our Service.

When and how will I receive the life certificate?

Once a year in November, you will receive your life certificate by post.

Can I e-mail my life certificate back to the Pension Fund?

Returning this document by email is possible; however, please note that the Pension Fund will never request you to transmit personal data in this way.

What happens if I do not return my life certificate?

Failure to return the duly completed and signed life certificate may result in the suspension of payment of your benefits until it is received by our Service.

What should I do if I am away from my home address when the life certificate is sent?

As from mid-November, you can send the Benefits Service a signed letter confirming the dates during which you will be absent.

You are required to return the signed certificate to the Benefits Service as soon as you return.

Does the Life Certificate need to be signed by a local authority?

No, the certificate does not need to be signed by a local authority.

What happens if I am unable to sign the Life certificate due to ill health?

You can provide us with a recent certificate (less than a month old) from your doctor or a life certificate from your local authority. However, please note that no changes can be made without the signature of the beneficiary or their legal representative (the person legally designated, by a notary or a judge, to manage administrative affairs).