When our son was born, I realised I’ve got a responsibility here. For him, for my wife, for my employees.
Patrick Meier, Owner and Managing Director Texpress Textilpflege AG
The dual responsibility of business owners
Company and family are more closely interconnected than many people think. Unlike it is for employees, your company is both your greatest asset and the greatest unknown. Who stands in if the owner is suddenly gone? What remains for their family?
The 2nd pillar automatically protects employees in the event of death and disability. For business owners, the risk cover depends on the chosen legal form of their company. Anyone who is employed by their own company limited by shares or limited liability company is also compulsorily insured, albeit only up to a limit of 90,720 Swiss francs.
As a successful business owner, I’m well covered anyway.
MISCONCEPTION
This is not the case for self-employed people with a sole proprietorship. They must insure disability and death risks independently, with disability at working age statistically more likely than death*. In addition, unlike for accidents, there’s no compulsory insurance for illness. Missing work for a more extended period doesn’t just mean a loss of income, but potentially loss of the company itself and the associated family livelihood. So, far from being an incidental matter for business owners, pension benefits are in fact part of corporate governance.
Viable pension solutions don’t start with the product, but with the right questions. Answer these, and retirement provision will make sense. Not as an off-the-shelf product, but as a well-considered decision tailored to your personal situation.
* Source: Actuarial tables Federal Law on Occupational Retirement, Survivors’ and Disability Pension Plans (BVG/LPP)
Pension planning for business owners
- How much coverage does the family actually need?
- Am I compulsorily insured by the legal form of my company?
- What does the existing pension fund provide in the event of death or disability?
- How is the company structured and is continuity guaranteed in the event of an emergency?
- What additional options does the 3rd pillar offer?
- What does my family need to maintain their standard of living if something were to happen to me?
- How do I build pension assets outside the company?
Suitable solutions
The individual pension solution 1e for employees with an annual income of CHF 136'080.– or above (2026 figures).
Our pension solution with a standardised strategy for employees with an annual salary of CHF 90'720.– (as at 2026) or more.
Your future, securely planned – with our comprehensive pension planning.