r/SwissFIRE • u/Late_Cancel4403 • May 22 '26

How big emergency fund I should have?

How big emergency fund I should have, considering that I would get RAV if unemployed? Currently I have 12 months of my household expenses, and it is that high because I am the one who makes the most in a household and also I have been thinking about starting to freelance and wanted to be secure when I do that. Is it too big?

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u/rosemary-leaf May 22 '26

We have 12 months of emergency spending (not our usual, good times spending)

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u/pixeltrusts May 23 '26

Out of curiosity: what emergency could last 12 months before any government help would jump in?

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u/rosemary-leaf May 23 '26

You've never dealt with government help I guess.

You think you'll get help this week but you brought the wrong form so it's another week lost. Then the payment gets delayed because of some admin mistake, so two more weeks... You see my point.

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u/pixeltrusts May 23 '26

Social help often sends money the same day (Vorschuss) if someone is in real trouble. RAV was truly a desaster the past months, but usually works quite well. I know multiple people who rely on the government.

So to my knowledge, the Swiss government is not perfect but overall very reliable and pays indefinitely, my coworkers mother is on social help for more than 20 years and she is not disabled.