Switzerland

Abstract

This chapter explores the situation of older workers in Switzerland and reflects on the gender implications of extending working life policies and practices. Firstly, we describe the current employment patterns of older workers in the Swiss context, paying particular attention to gender differences over the life-course. In a second section, we present the three-pillar Swiss pension system, before going on to analyse the nature and the origins of the gender pension gap. In a final section, we summarize the most important extended working life policy initiatives that have taken place in recent years and discuss the mismatch between these reforms and the conservative gender regime that has influenced the life-course of current generations of older workers.