Can the social security office charge me for my parents’ unpaid contributions?

My mother owed money to the social security office. She passed away some time ago and recently I received a notice from the social security office demanding repayment of her debt. Are they allowed to do that?

In Switzerland, debt is inherited in much the same way as assets. Whether or not you have to pay depends on whether or not you accepted your legal inheritance.

If you renounced your right to your inheritance (anyone can do this within 3 months of the beneficiary’s death), you cannot be held accountable for debts. On the other hand, if you accepted your inheritance without reservation, you can be held liable to pay for debts – including money owed to a social security office.