The case
Voluntary extension of working life must be encouraged.
Source: NZZ 7 July 2025
The commentary
Older skilled and well-qualified members in the workforce expect to be recruited just as actively as younger workers. Employers who do not hire anyone over the age of 55 have a credibility problem.
Across Switzerland 23 % of men and 15 % of women aged between 65 and 74 age are still in the workforce. The Federal Council has set the course in terms of ageing policy and is encouraging people to voluntarily extend their working lives beyond the age of 65. As people age very differently, a variety of lifestyles with options seems to be a suitable concept as it also enables 80-year-old in the medical profession to continue working. At this point in time, people are hardly ever encouraged to continue working in their job after the retirement age. While many companies state that it is possible to continue working beyond, only 14 % actively do so – a further 16 % passively condone it. It is important to note that this age group actually only accounts for around 8 % of all new hires, despite making up 23 % of the total labour force.









