Swiss insurance giant Helvetia Baloise Holding AG has introduced VivaFlex, a new private pension solution tailored to modern, flexible lifestyles. The product aims to address the growing need for adaptable financial planning amid shifting career patterns, such as part-time employment and extended education, which are reshaping retirement preparedness in Switzerland.
The Swiss pension system remains anchored in traditional full-time employment models, yet part-time work has surged to 38.7% of the workforce in 2025, equating to 1.9 million part-time workers, according to the Federal Statistical Office. While part-time roles offer greater work-life balance, they often reduce contributions to mandatory pension schemes (BVG) and private savings, particularly for those below the BVG eligibility threshold or with lower earnings. Additionally, longer education paths—where 50% of 25- to 34-year-olds now hold higher education or vocational qualifications—delay entry into the workforce, shortening the window for pension savings accumulation.
VivaFlex is structured as a flexible life insurance policy in both the bounded (Säule 3a) and unbounded (Säule 3b) pillars of Switzerland’s private pension system. It allows policyholders to customize risk, return, and security profiles based on life-stage needs—such as family planning, self-employment, or homeownership financing—while enabling mid-contract adjustments for evolving circumstances. The product complements Helvetia’s broader financial services, which span insurance, banking, and asset management, and is supported by the company’s 150+ Swiss locations and specialized expert networks.
The initiative reflects broader trends: a 2026 Helvetia survey found that only a minority of Swiss expect to achieve financial security and healthy aging without proactive planning. As traditional pension structures lag behind evolving work patterns, Helvetia’s new offering underscores the need for dynamic financial solutions that align with diverse life trajectories.
Helvetia Baloise Holding AG, Switzerland’s largest all-risk insurer and a leading European group, operates across eight European markets and global specialty sectors. Its HBAN stock trades on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
