THE INVESTMENT: Which market-relevant topics will particularly shape the year 2025 and how does your company plan to react to them?
Dirk von der Crone: In 2025, in addition to everyday challenges, AI, digitalization, regulation, the federal election as well as inflation and interest rate developments will continue to shape the industry. Demographic change and the associated poverty in old age remain central. We are responding with innovative products and services because private provision remains important. Our goal is to empower people to lead financially self-determined lives – this guides all of our endeavors.
Life Germany, @ Swiss Life
Which division or business area do you particularly focus on?
from the Crone: As part of our new strategy program “Swiss Life 2027”, we are concentrating on three core areas: expanding our consulting network, optimizing our products in the areas of workforce security and company pension provision and further IT modernization. Further optimizations depend on this in detail. We want to expand our proven business model and continue to offer our customers outstanding solutions in the future.
What product developments are you planning this year?
from the Crone: Based on our 130 years of experience in securing workers, we have recently updated our occupational disability insurance and our basic disability insurance “Vital Protection”. This year we also launched our “Privado Policy”, an opportunity for our customers to invest in infrastructure. In the syndicate business, we focus on expanding our strong position through improvements in our services, customer service and the optimization of customer benefits. We also focus on our company pension provision and would like to develop further here. We are particularly planning product expansions and increased digital services.
Where do you want to further digitize your company and where do you plan to increase the use of AI?
from the Crone: After moving completely to the cloud as one of the first insurers, we are consistently modernizing our IT in financial advice and insurance. We invest in customer and consulting tools to optimize our services. AI is integrated in all sensible areas in order to optimize processes and continually improve the consulting experience for both consultants, our business partners and their customers. Here we are already working with AI-based voice and chatbots that help in collaboration with sales partners and customers. We are also currently piloting an internal AI assistant.
What specific improvements are you striving for in your sustainability efforts?
from the Crone: sustainability is an integral part of our business. We focus on areas with a direct impact: business ecology and real estate investments. To give clear figures here: By 2027, CO₂ emissions per employee will be reduced by 50 percent compared to 2019. In addition, we develop sustainable solutions to meet the growing demand of our customers.
Which political and regulatory ideas for the insurance industry would you like to see implemented?
from the Crone: We advocate a significant strengthening of company and private pension provision through government incentives. This is crucial to improving individual pensions and reducing the burden on public pensions. At the same time, political decisions should respect people's freedom of choice and enable flexible, needs-based solutions. A “one size fits all” principle has no future; every person has different requirements for retirement provision and these must be respected.
Which topics will be in the foreground in the areas of locations/employees/corporate culture in 2025?
from the Crone: Our corporate culture of working together and for one another is the foundation of our success. It promotes innovation, collaboration and employee loyalty. We will continue to strengthen trust, performance orientation and feedback culture through targeted training and initiatives.
