Main Members

Compulsory Main Members

Any member of the CERN personnel for whom membership of the Scheme is compulsory by virtue of his or her contract of employment or association with the Organization, as specified in the Staff Rules and Regulations:

  • Staff members, graduates and fellows;
  • Students participating in one of CERN’s student programmes, as defined in Administrative Circular No. 11 (Categories of members of the personnel).

Membership of the CHIS is mandatory and starts automatically on the first day of the employment contract and continues until the last day of the employment contract. Membership is interrupted during any unpaid special leave or unpaid authorised absence of one month or more, except in the case of parental leave.

Post-Compulsory Main Members

Persons who have opted for post-compulsory membership in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations (Chapter III, Section 2) are Post-compulsory Members and benefit from a cover for an indefinite period. 
Some Members may apply  to remain Main Members of the CHIS on a post-compulsory basis and then benefit from a cover for a fixed-term period.

 

Post-compulsory Main Members - Indefinite period

Members Conditions
CERN pensioners. To have remained Member of the CHIS without interruption since the end of the compulsory membership.
Awaiting a deferred pension from the Pension Fund. To have remained Member of the CHIS without interruption since the end of the compulsory membership.

 

Post-compulsory Main Members  - Fixed period

Members Conditions and Duration of membership
Former staff members in receipt of unemployment benefits from the Organization. Throughout the period during which they receive these benefits.
Post-Compulsory Main Members. For any period of unpaid special leave or unpaid authorised absence of one month or more.
Ex-Compulsory Main Members affiliated for less than 1 year. Maximum period of 1 month.
Ex-Compulsory Main Members affiliated for 1 year or more. Compulsory Main Members who do not meet the conditions for indefinite membership (see table above). Maximum period of 12 months.
Children of a Compulsory or Post-Compulsory Main Member who are no longer dependent. Age limit: under 26 years old and at their request. Membership remains dependent on the continued membership of the parent. They become a Main Member and pay their own contribution. Note: members of their family cannot be Subsidiary Members.
In the event of the divorce of a Compulsory or Post-Compulsory Member who has been a Member for one year or more, the ex-spouse and his or her dependent children (who were considered as family members on the final date of the divorce). Maximum period of 12 months.
Family members of a deceased Compulsory or Post-compulsory Member who do not become a CERN pensioner. Maximum period of 12 months.

 

Voluntary Main Members

Any person who meets the conditions for voluntary membership and who joined the CHIS before 1st September 2017 (see Article III 3.01 of CHIS Rules).