Unternavigation
Social security programs are administered through different federal bureaus, and these offices play a significant role in developing and passing legislation. With the expansion of the welfare state in the 20th century, the importance of federal offices increased, meaning their areas of competence expanded and both the number of employees and the outlays rose. Federal offices publish implementation directives instructing social insurance bodies on the correct implementation of the laws; federal offices also have oversight functions. The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) is the most important actor in the federal administration of welfare. It plans, manages, and monitors the AHV and disability insurance schemes, as well as the earnings compensation scheme (for military or civilian service) and maternity allowances. Before 2004, the FSIO was also responsible for health and accident insurance, but this is now a responsibility of the Federal Office of Public Health. Unemployment insurance is administered by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.