Are your finances suitable for life up to 100 years?

It is estimated that the number over 60 years old worldwide over the next 26 years (until 2050), more than double. Based on an S&P (2023) survey of 81 countries, the typical government without pension reforms would have a deficit of 9.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2060, compared to 2.4% in 2025. We live longer and longer, We spend more than a quarter of our lives in retirement. But thanks to medical progress, we are also becoming healthier and can therefore work longer.

In Japanthe leader in life expectancy, it is already a reality that quarter of retirees continues to work after official retirement. This is especially noticeable among 65 to 69-year-olds, every second of whom still has a job. Here in Switzerland, the average retirement age in 2022 was approximately 64.8 years A third of people are professionally active at the age of 65 (BFS), and about 10% continue to work even after normal retirement age (Statista).

Life is changing and the distinction between the three stages of life: childhood, working life and old age is becoming increasingly blurred.

This is evident from a study by SwissLife (2021). Almost half of the 55-70 year olds surveyed (49%) can imagine continuing to work longer, or do this already if health permits and the work is appreciated. Work according to the study Two-thirds of people retire because they enjoy doing so. Others would like to continue working, but are not given the opportunity to do so.

“I would have really liked to do something new when I was 55 or 57, instead of lining up for retirement somehow. I asked, but the employer was not interested,” says my neighbor, now 66.

In January 2024, the number of unemployed people between the ages of 50 and 64 increased by 1,683 people (+5.6%) to a total 31,807 (SECO).

People with experience can still give a lot and make valuable contributions to productivity and innovation in times of skilled labor shortages. Data already shows that middle-aged startup founders around the age of 45 are more successful. As your health improves, much is still possible later. There is various advice and portals for your career after normal retirement. Of course, not all professions are suitable for continuing to work into old age. According to the research, self-employed people, farmers, freelancers such as architects and doctors, as well as business owners, are working longer than the normal retirement age. Whatever new horizon you want to pursue, the more you think about the longevity of your finances early on, the more freedom seniors will have in the future.

Continuing to work beyond normal retirement age, if health and energy levels permit, has far-reaching benefits that go well beyond the financial security of living standards and possible economic necessity: Personal development, passing on experience and knowledge in the form of mentorship or project work, for example, can make a valuable contribution to society and ultimately also provide health benefits. For example, active mental activity and social interaction contribute positively to well-being.

If we debate and vote, as we are doing now, on whether to raise the retirement age, we must also discuss how We can create conditions in which it is possible to continue working and build up our finances for a life of up to 100 years..

This includes the possibility of modern part-time work models and connection to pension systems, even with lower amounts, opportunities for further training and retraining, but also pension systems that provide appropriate support for continued work and re-entry into the labor market after, for example, a care break and, for example, supplements at a later date enable.

No matter how quickly or slowly pension systems are reformed to prepare for life to the age of 100, a forward-looking financial plan enables freedom, creates space for creativity and opportunities to make dreams come true, both professionally and privately.

Here are my (evergreen) five essentials for the longevity of your finances:

How do you see the longevity of finance? Can you imagine working longer than 65 years? And how do you prepare for it?