Social transfers are defined as social support for private households (in the form of income) through state or private institutional units (state, canton, commune, church, NGOs etc.).
In Switzerland there are a number of social transfers which are intended to hedge financial risks and prevent poverty. These include e.g. family allowances, invalidity pensions, granting of reduced health insurance premiums, social assistance or unemployment insurance daily allowances. In a larger sense, old-age and survivors' benefits are also considered to be social transfers.
