Summary
Mathieu Erb will become the new Vice Director of the Federal Office of Social Insurance (FSIO) as of June 1, 2026 and will take over the management of the business unit "Old-age and survivors' insurance, Occupational pensions and supplementary benefits" (OOPS). The 39-year-old from Neuchâtel succeeds Colette Nova, who will retire at the end of February 2026 after more than 15 years at the FSIO. Erb brings extensive experience in social insurance administration and leadership experience from his role as director of the Neuchâtel Compensation Fund.
People
Topics
- Personnel changes in the federal administration
- Old-age and survivors' insurance (AHV) and occupational pensions
- Supplementary benefits (EL)
- Social insurance administration
Detailed Summary
Mathieu Erb will be appointed Vice Director of the Federal Office of Social Insurance effective June 1, 2026. In this role, he will head the OOPS business unit, which is responsible for old-age and survivors' insurance, occupational pensions, and supplementary benefits.
Erb has been Director of the Neuchâtel Compensation Fund since 2023. Prior to that, he worked for twelve years in cantonal administration: four years as Deputy Secretary General of the Department of Economy and Social Cohesion, and eight years as Secretary General of the Department of Territorial Development and Environment. The 39-year-old holds a degree in business administration from the University of Neuchâtel and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Lausanne.
Colette Nova, the previous head of the OOPS business unit, will retire at the end of February 2026. She worked at the FSIO for more than 15 years and has led the OOPS business unit since 2013. During her tenure, she oversaw numerous reforms in old-age and survivors' insurance, the second pillar, supplementary benefits, and the earnings replacement scheme (ERS). She was also responsible for supervision and various IT projects such as the supplementary benefits register and the earnings replacement scheme digitalization.
Key Messages
- Succession clarified: Mathieu Erb will take over the management of the OOPS business unit at the FSIO as of June 1, 2026
- Comprehensive experience: Erb brings 12 years of cantonal administration experience and expertise in social insurance
- Reform oversight: Colette Nova has implemented significant reforms in old-age and survivors' insurance and occupational pensions during her 15+ years at the FSIO
- Digitalization: Under Nova, important IT projects such as the supplementary benefits register and the earnings replacement scheme digitalization were implemented
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Stakeholder | Impact |
|---|---|
| Federal Office of Social Insurance | New Vice Director with reform experience |
| Old-age and survivors' insurance beneficiaries and pensioners | Continuity in the administration of their insurance |
| Businesses and employees | Responsibility for occupational pensions remains assured |
| Cantons | Exchange of experience between cantonal and federal levels |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| New perspectives through cantonal experience | Transition phases during changeover may cause delays |
| Continuity through experienced successor | Loss of long-standing expertise through retirement |
| Stronger federalism networking | Training period required for new responsibilities |
Action Relevance
Relevant for decision-makers:
- Transition preparation: The four-week overlap between Nova's retirement (end of February) and Erb's start date (June 1) should be used for knowledge transfer
- Reform continuity: Ongoing reform projects in old-age and survivors' insurance and occupational pensions require seamless handover
- Digitalization projects: IT initiatives should be documented and handed over to Erb
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and data verified
- [x] Personnel information and positions verified
- [x] Dates and timelines consistent
- [x] No unconfirmed claims
Sources
Primary source:
Press release from the Federal Office of Social Insurance – Published January 29, 2026
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/T2z0ZdxR3JGKcsUyWvPln
Verification status: ✓ Facts checked on January 29, 2026
This text was created with the support of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 29.01.2026