On the upcoming 22nd of September, it will once again be about pensions. The reform of occupational pensions (BVG reform) is up for a vote. The aim of this reform is to strengthen the financing of the second pillar.

This is an important vote, says Peter Kappeler in an interview with finews.ch. On one hand, the reform can not only maintain the overall level of benefits but also help people with low incomes and part-time employees and improve their pensions.

Demand is high, and so is competition

Kappeler's commitment is not without reason: He is the CEO of Pax Versicherung, a classic pension specialist. The business has become more demanding. «We have significantly more market participants,» he says.

This is also because demand, especially in the area of the third pillar, has increased in recent years.

However, the population's knowledge about it is low, as recently revealed by a survey conducted by Sotomo on behalf of Zurich Switzerland and the Vita Collective Foundations. For example, 71 percent of respondents are not sure what the conversion rate means.

Successful thanks to well-trained employees

«We need to make the topic of pensions much more understandable,» says Kappeler. For this reason, Pax invests heavily in employee training. «Employees are the basis for customer understanding,» he emphasizes. The same goes for the digital area. «If potential customers already have comprehension problems on the second move on their phone or tablet, they're gone,» he says.

Thus, Pax has developed a very user-friendly approach regarding pension analysis. Using a QR code, interested parties can access a short and simple questionnaire. This focus is paying off.

Moving away from a one-sided view of the pillars

Kappeler is not satisfied with this. «We need to get even better,» he says. In particular, there is a need to move away from the isolated view of the individual pillars in the three-pillar model. «For many, this falls short. We need to make the analysis of the individual pension situation more holistic,» he says. Additionally, more women and young people need to be addressed. «They are being severely neglected today,» he emphasizes.

There are several challenges ahead, of which the Pax CEO is aware: «To remain competitive, you have to prove yourself every day,» he says. And have the courage to go your own way. «Being a copy of something cannot be the goal,» he stresses.