Retirement ages are being raised in many countries. In Switzerland, the debate is ongoing. But even before any legislative changes are made, in practice we see a clear trend: more and more people are choosing to work beyond retirement age. Often not because they have to – but because they want to.
They remain mentally active, socially engaged, and purposefully involved. For SMEs, this presents an opportunity: experience and continuity that are difficult to replace.
When employees choose to work longer
However, this also raises new questions. How do I design roles for employees beyond the traditional retirement age? How do I lead a team where four generations work together? And what kind of retirement planning does someone need who is still working at 70?
Anyone leading an SME today is shaping it with people who may live to 100. This is changing what effective people management and retirement planning look like.
Peter Disler
Four generations in the workplace
In many SMEs today, four generations work side by side: young professionals in their early 20s, experienced specialists around 40, senior leaders over 50, and older employees passing on their knowledge. Each generation brings different life realities, strengths – and different retirement needs.
Longevity amplifies this diversity. For business owners who want to be competitive as employers, it is essential to consider all stages of life – including those that extend beyond the traditional working life.
What this means for pension solutions
A pension solution that only meets the legal minimum is increasingly falling short of the needs of a modern SME. Employees who live longer and want to work longer need flexibility - in when they retire, how their retirement assets are invested and whether they choose a pension or a lump sum.
Some of these options – such as individual investment strategies through 1e plans – are already available. Most SMEs do not make use of them simply because they are not widely known.
How PensExpert supports you
PensExpert develops pension solutions for SMEs — tailored to the needs of your business and your employees. We analyse your existing solution, identify optimisation potential, and support you through implementation.
Custody is handled by banks we know and trust, selected together with your company.
