Media release ,  13.5.2025

Generali survey shows:

The Swiss are poorly prepared financially for a loss of earning capacity

• According to their own statements, just under 19% of respondents are covered should they no longer be able to work due to health reasons
• 17% believe they would even fall below the subsistence level if they were unable to work
• Mental illness is the leading cause of loss of earning capacity – well ahead of accidents

Adliswil – A brief moment of distraction is all it takes for an accident to happen. Suddenly, you are no longer able to work. Or a serious physical or mental illness means you lose your job or have to give up work. Events like these catch people unprepared and can lead to long-term financial hardship. Incapacity to work can be long-term or short-term, or it can limit the type or amount of work someone is able to do. Suddenly, the regular income needed to maintain a person’s or an entire family’s standard of living is gone.

In a survey of 1,016 people, Generali shows how the Swiss address this sensitive topic and how they assess their personal situation in such a case. The main questions included: Am I adequately covered in such an event, and will I or my family manage financially if I am no longer able to work? These questions don’t just apply to main earners.

Fewer than 19% are adequately insured against loss of earning capacity

Although 92% believe they would be forced to cope on a much smaller budget if they were suddenly unable to work, only 19% are insured against the financial fallout of such a situation. These 19% expect they would be able to maintain almost the same standard of living. Three-quarters of these would receive a monthly pension from their insurance that would suffice to secure their livelihoods. Two-thirds sought advice from an insurance specialist before taking out their policy.

Three-quarters of respondents believe that the risk of losing their earning capacity is cushioned by the compulsory disability insurance for employees. 44% of respondents rely on the compulsory insurance system should they lose their earning capacity. 39% of all respondents also have death benefits included in their insurance (life risk insurance). This group mainly includes employed men with higher incomes who have provided for their families in this way.

Assessing loss of earning capacity – in some cases, significant differences in terms of age, education and employment status

17%, i.e. one in six people in Switzerland, consider the risk of losing their earning capacity to be very high. This rises to every second person in the case of the self-employed. There are also differences between age groups: Younger people between the ages of 18 and 34 are less concerned about losing their earning capacity – only one in ten consider this risk to be very high. In contrast, more than 24% of people over the age of 50 are much more aware that such a situation can arise. Level of education also has an impact: The more highly educated someone is (e.g. academics), the less they worry about loss of earning capacity. This could be because they tend to work in less risky jobs (e.g. desk-based).

Mental illness is the leading cause of loss of earning capacity – well ahead of accidents

When asked what they believe to be the main cause of loss of earning capacity, 91% stated physical illness and 88% mental illness. A total of 93% believe that disability following an accident is the most probable cause, and 46% simply cite getting older as the reason for loss of earning capacity.

However, the real figures paint a different picture: According to disability statistics published by the Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO), mental illness is the cause of disability – i.e. permanent loss of earning capacity – in more than half of all cases (52%). Almost a third of cases can be attributed to other illnesses (30%) and congenital defects (12%). Accidents are the cause of disability in only 6% of cases.

Sudden loss of earning capacity often means a reduction in the standard of living

Respondents’ assessments of unexpected loss of earning capacity are not particularly optimistic: Only 8% believe they would be able to maintain their standard of living in such a case. 39% would have to cut back slightly, while 36% would have to cut back significantly. 17% even fear having to live below the subsistence level.

Death: Loss of main income or loss of primary caregiver puts a financial burden on families

In addition, the death of a partner can also present major challenges, particularly of a financial nature. If the main earner in a family with children dies, the question often arises as to whether the surviving parent could still provide for the family. For example, will they be able to continue paying their rent or mortgage? The same applies if the children’s primary caregiver dies. In this case, too, a new financial solution has to be found to finance childcare. According to the Generali survey, 16% believe they would have to cut back considerably if their partner were to die, while 46% would have to tighten their belts a little. Only 39% believe they could continue to maintain their lifestyle.

Financial and psychological challenges associated with loss of earning capacity

In addition to financial uncertainty, a sudden loss of earning capacity is also accompanied by stress and mental strain. For 77%, the length of time authorities need to formally confirm or recognise incapacity to work would be very challenging. 69% think it would be difficult to bridge the gap between the end of their employment and receiving any disability compensation, and almost the same number (67%) say they would suffer financial losses as a result of the drop in their monthly income. Social and psychological problems caused by losing the ability to work are also a concern for 66% of respondents.

In emergencies, many people can rely on their social environment

21% of respondents said they had been prepared to help someone close to them (either personally or professionally) in the past who was faced with a loss of earning capacity. According to their own statements, they mainly offered support in the form of talking, or assisting with job applications, filling out forms and childcare, or helping out financially.

Study profile

The survey was conducted by market research company Bilendi as an online survey of 1,016 people. The survey took place from 11 to 15 April 2025.