basic information
Swiss Life is the largest life insurance company in Switzerland and one of Europe's leading providers of comprehensive life, pension and financial services.
Founded and Background: Founded in 1857 as Schweizerische Lebensversicherungs und Rentenanstalt (Swiss Life Insurance and Annuity Agency), founded in Zurich by Conrad Widmer, was the first life insurance company in Switzerland and was guaranteed by Schweizerische Kreditanstalt. In 1997, the company transitioned from a mutual aid system to a public company, and in 1998 it was listed on the Swiss Market Index (SMI) and officially changed its name to Swiss Life in 2002.
Registered capital: As a public company, Swiss Life Holding AG's registered capital is reflected in its share capital, which as of 2024 has a total share capital of approximately 28.5 million shares and a market value of approximately CHF 26.2 billion (approximately US$26 billion
). Key executive backgrounds: The group is managed by a board of directors and a corporate executive committee. The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the Group and its members are elected annually. The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leads the corporate executive committee and is responsible for setting long-term goals and strategic direction. Specific executive names and detailed backgrounds are not explicitly disclosed in public information, but the executive team usually has extensive experience in insurance, finance and asset management.
Shareholding structure: Shareholders holding more than 3% of Swiss Life Holding are required to disclose information under Swiss law. Current major shareholders include BlackRock Inc. (more than 5% of the shares) and UBS Fund Management (Switzerland) AG (more than 3% of the shares).
Company nature: Swiss Life is a publicly listed holding company (Swiss Life Holding AG), listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange under the symbol SLHN, which is a business entity in the financial services industry.
Operating Status: The company is operating in good condition, with adjusted operating profit of CHF 1.78 billion, a year-on-year increase of 20%, and net profit of CHF 1.26 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13%. The company has assets under management of CHF 255.7 billion, covering Switzerland, France, Germany and multiple cross-border markets.
enterprise classification
Swiss Life is a comprehensive financial services company with a focus on life insurance, pensions, and asset management. According to the industry classification, it belongs to the insurance and asset management sub-sectors of the financial services industry. By enterprise size, Swiss Life is a large multinational company with operations in many European countries and regions, with a history of operation for more than 160 years.
market classification
Swiss Life's core markets include Switzerland, France and Germany, as well as cross-border operations in Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Singapore and other locations through its international business units (Swiss Life International) and asset management (Swiss Life Asset Managers).
Key markets:
> Switzerland: Swiss Life is a leader in the Swiss life insurance and pension market, serving over 1 million insured persons under brands such as Swiss Life and Swiss Life Select.
France and Germany: Offering life insurance, pensions, and financial solutions in both countries, the German market has enhanced its real estate asset management capabilities through the acquisition of companies like Corpus Sireo.
International Market: Swiss Life Global Solutions provides customized insurance and employee benefits solutions to high-net-worth clients and multinational corporations, covering Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Singapore, Hong Kong, and more.
Market Positioning: Swiss Life focuses on high-net-worth individuals, multinational corporations, and institutional clients, emphasizing long-term, sustainable financial planning and asset management.
services
Swiss Life offers a diverse range of financial services covering the following areas:
Financial Advisory: Provide personalized retirement and financial planning advice to clients through brands such as Swiss Life Select, Tecis, Horbach, Proventus, and Chase de Vere.
Asset Management: Swiss Life Asset Managers provides investment solutions in fixed income, real estate, equity, infrastructure, and multi-asset classes to institutional and individual investors.
Employee Benefits: Provide customized employee benefits programs for multinational companies through Swiss Life Network, covering local and mobile employees in more than 80 countries and territories.
> Life and Pensions: Provides life, annuity, health, disability, and investment-based insurance products to individuals and businesses.
trading products
Swiss Life's "trading products" mainly refer to the financial and insurance products it provides, including:
Risk products: Including life, health, and disability insurance, protecting clients against unexpected risks.
Investment products: Unit-linked insurance and asset management products across asset classes such as fixed income, real estate, and equity.
Employee benefits products: Pension plans, group insurance, and health benefits programs for businesses.
These products are distributed through a network of direct sales teams, independent financial advisors, private banks, and brokers.
> Savings products: Savings insurance products based on interest rate differentials to provide customers with long-term wealth accumulation.
trading software
Swiss Life does not publicly disclose its proprietary trading software platform, but its financial and insurance product distribution mainly relies on digital channels and customer interfaces:
Customer portal: Swiss Life provides customers with an online platform for managing insurance policies, pension accounts, and investment portfolios, with specific platform names that vary by market (e.g., Swiss Life MyLife).
Advisor Tools: Through brands like Swiss Life Select, advisors use customized tools to select the best products on the market for their clients (Best Select mode).
Asset Management Platform: Swiss Life Asset Managers provides an investment management interface specifically for institutional investors, enabling real-time asset monitoring and reporting.
deposit and withdrawal methods
As an insurance company and asset manager, Swiss Life does not provide "deposit and withdrawal" services in the traditional sense. Client funds are mainly managed by:
**Investment & Event Type: User Generated System: Investment Redemption: Redemption of investment products typically involves the return of funds to the client's designated bank account through a contractual redemption process.
Claims Payment: Insurance claims are paid to beneficiaries via bank transfer or check.
The company supports multi-currency settlements (e.g., CHF, EUR), depending on the product and market.
> Premium payment: Customers pay insurance premiums through bank transfers, credit cards, or periodic debits.
customer support
Swiss Life offers multi-channel customer support:
Financial Advisors: Approximately 1,600 advisors provide personalized financial advice to clients through brands like Swiss Life Select.
Call Center: Customer service hotlines are available in Switzerland, France, Germany, and more, providing multilingual support.
Online Support: Self-service is available through the official website and customer portal, including policy management, investment inquiries, and FAQs.
International support: Swiss Life International provides global support to high-net-worth clients with offices in Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Singapore, and more.
> Direct Sales Team: Provide face-to-face consultations to clients through dedicated agents.
core business and services
Swiss Life's core business revolves around three pillars:
Asset management: Managed CHF 272.3 billion in assets through Swiss Life Asset Managers, with real estate assets accounting for a significant share (CHF 108.4 billion).
Financial advisory and employee benefits: Customized solutions for high-net-worth individuals and multinational corporations, including wealth planning, estate planning, and employee benefits programs.
The company distributes its products through direct sales, advisor networks, and banking partners, focusing on customer autonomy and long-term financial planning.
> Life and Pensions: Offering savings, risk, and investment-based insurance products for individual and group customers, emphasizing long-term financial security.
technical infrastructure
Swiss Life invests in digital transformation to improve service efficiency:
Data Analytics: Utilize big data and analytics tools to optimize product design and risk management.
Internal Systems: Employ advanced IT systems to support actuarial, asset management, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Cybersecurity: Implement stringent cybersecurity measures to protect customer data and transaction security.
Specific technical details are not disclosed, but the company emphasizes the central role of technology in enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
> Customer interface: User-friendly online platforms such as MyLife have been developed to support customers to manage their accounts self-service.
compliance and risk control system
Swiss Life follows a strict compliance and risk management framework:
Risk Management: Over 160 years of risk management experience, covering market, credit, and operational risks.
> Transparent Governance: Regularly publishes financial and operational reports in compliance with disclosure requirements of the Swiss Stock Exchange.
Data Protection: Strictly adheres to data privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to ensure the security of customer information.
> Regulatory compliance: Comply with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and relevant EU regulations (e.g., Solvency II).
market positioning and competitive advantage
Swiss Life has a leading position in the European life insurance and asset management market:
Competitive advantage:
With more than 160 years of experience in the industry, the brand has an excellent brand reputation.
strong asset management capabilities, especially in the field of real estate investment in Europe (managing CHF 108.4 billion in real estate assets).
an extensive international network covering more than 80 countries and regions.
flexible distribution model that combines direct sales, advisory, and banking channels.
emphasizes sustainable investment and customer autonomy, aligning with modern market demands.
> Market positioning: Positioned to provide long-term, sustainable financial solutions for high-net-worth individuals, multinational corporations and institutional clients.
Customer Support & Empowerment
Swiss Life is committed to empowering customers with personalized services:
Educational Resources: Provide online and offline resources to help clients understand retirement and investment options.
Digital Tools: Enhance customer autonomy through client portals and mobile apps.
Global Support: Provide seamless services to multinational clients through the Swiss Life Network and international offices.
> Personalized Advice: Customized financial planning through brands like Swiss Life Select.
Social Responsibility & ESG
Swiss Life integrates sustainability into its core strategy:
Swiss Climate Foundation: Co-founded in 2008 with 11 companies to promote climate-related public welfare activities.
ESG Goals: Establish clear environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals to drive long-term sustainable investments.
Transparent Governance: Regularly disclose ESG progress in accordance with internationally recognized sustainability standards.
> "Vision Foundation": Founded in 2005, it donates CHF 1.30-1.5 million annually to charitable projects in the fields of health, science, education, culture and sport.
strategic cooperation ecosystem
Swiss L IFE expands its business through strategic acquisitions and collaborations:
Global network: Collaborate with over 90 independent insurers and partners through the Swiss Life Network, covering over 80 countries and territories.
Distribution partners: Expand market reach by working with private banks, independent brokers, and financial advisors.
> Acquisitions: Includes the acquisition of Corpus Sireo in 2014, Mayfair Capital in 2016, BEOS AG in 2018, Fontavis in 2019, and Wilfast Förvaltning AB in 2024, enhancing real estate and asset management capabilities.
financial health
Swiss Life financially sound:
AUM: CHF 255.7 billion, of which CHF 124.7 billion is under third-party asset management.
Sources of revenue: mainly from the Swiss market, supplemented by French, German and international markets, with a revenue structure consisting of savings (spreads), risk (insurance profits) and expenses (asset management and advisory services).
Market performance: On April 2, 2025, the stock price was CHF 919.18, the market capitalization was CHF 26.2 billion, and the EPS was CHF 48.17.
> 2024 results: operating profit of CHF 1.78 billion (up 20%), net profit of CHF 1.26 billion (up 13%).
future roadmap
Swiss Life's future strategy (based on the "Swiss Life 2024" plan and subsequent goals) includes:
Customer Experience: Enhance customer interfaces and interactions through digital innovation.
Market Expansion: Further expand into European and international markets through acquisitions and strategic collaborations, particularly in real estate and infrastructure investments.
Sustainability: Deepen ESG commitments to drive green investments and community well-being.
Productivity Enhancement: Improve operational efficiency through technological upgrades and process optimization
> Product optimization: Develop more attractive life insurance, pension and investment products.
