Lucerne Study Warns 65-Year-Olds Face CHF1.32 Million Retirement Gap as Lifespans Stretch
Updated
Updated · SWI swissinfo.ch in English · Jul 7
Lucerne Study Warns 65-Year-Olds Face CHF1.32 Million Retirement Gap as Lifespans Stretch
3 articles · Updated · SWI swissinfo.ch in English · Jul 7
Summary
A Lucerne University study says people retiring at 65 today risk outliving their savings, with average earners needing to cover as much as CHF1.32 million if they live to 100.
The shortfall widens quickly with longevity: the gap rises from about CHF728,000 at age 85 to CHF921,000 at 90, showing why planning around average life expectancy is no longer enough.
Half of today’s 65-year-old women are expected to reach 90 and men 87, after retirement spans since 1948 lengthened to 23 years for women and more than 20 for men.
Medical advances and better living conditions are extending lives, but the study says late-life healthcare, care and housing costs can climb sharply, adding pressure on both private savings and pension systems.
HSLU says early private saving is becoming more important as ageing strains state and occupational pensions, while “longevity” is emerging as a broader economic and investment theme.
Beyond just saving more, how must we redesign careers and retirement itself for a 100-year lifespan?
Will breakthrough longevity drugs create a new class divide between the rich who live longer and everyone else?
Longevity and the Swiss Pension Gap: Key Findings from the 2026 Lucerne Study and Strategies for a Secure Retirement
Overview
The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) study, published on July 7, 2026, highlights a major demographic shift as people live longer, making longevity a key force shaping the financial sector. This trend is not just a personal finance issue but is becoming a distinct investment theme, drawing attention from financial services, investors, and companies focused on longevity solutions. Experts see longevity as one of the defining economic and social trends of the 21st century. As this trend grows, it requires the financial industry to rethink strategies and adapt to the long-term impact of an aging population.